This week at the movies: The Global Career of a Lie

Some lies seem impossible to eradicate. The so-called "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" - about 120 years old - claim to be evidence of a Zionist plot for world domination, yet they are nothing more than a malicious forgery, and not even a particularly sophisticated one. Still, this pamphlet continues to underpin countless conspiracy myths. Its assertions are repeated again and again and continue to fuel antisemitic hatred. It is no coincidence that the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" are even cited in the founding charter of Hamas. Renowned documentary filmmaker Felix Moeller - who has explored the power of propaganda in works such as "Harlan: In the Shadow of 'Jew Süss'" and "Forbidden Films" - traces the story of this notorious text in his film "The Global Career of a Lie." He follows its path from its creation in Tsarist Russia, through its influence on Nazi ideology, to its renewed and even amplified reach in the age of the internet. Drawing on the latest scholarly research, "The Global Career of a Lie" demonstrates the ongoing power of antisemitic stereotypes, which continue to surface even in seemingly innocuous corners of popular culture. A deeply illuminating film - one whose relevance, unfortunately, could not be more timely.