The Future Shapes the Past
Written, Directed, and Produced by Bryan Felber
With the initial idea of focusing on the history of Jews in the Czech lands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, “The Future Shapes the Past” has evolved into a sprawling documentary about the role history plays in politics, centered on the Hilsner Affair of 1899–1900 and the ongoing effort to posthumously exonerate the Jewish man accused of ritual murder.
A century ago, during a period of rapid Jewish assimilation into Czech society, there was also a growing backlash—one manifestation of which was the resurgence of the blood libel: the baseless medieval myth that Jews use Christian blood in their festive bread, matzah.
In March of 1899, in the town of Polná, a young Catholic woman named Anežka Hrůzová was found murdered in the woods during the Jewish holiday of Passover. A Jewish man, Leopold Hilsner, was accused by townspeople, and an antisemitic media campaign was launched that divided Czech society—soon becoming known as the Hilsner Affair.
Short clip featuring Polná historian Jan Prchal who explains the origins of the Hilsner affair.
Although Hilsner spent 18 years in prison and was pardoned by Austrian Emperor Charles I, his guilty verdict remains on the books. Today, historians, journalists, and lawyers are working to overturn the verdict.
The film investigates who likely killed Anežka—and why it remains so difficult to officially rehabilitate Leopold Hilsner.
For more information, email bryan@steelantproductions.com