The Last Jews of Libya (2007)

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Libya was once a nation with a large and thriving Jewish community; today, only a tiny number of Jews remain there, and this documentary from filmmaker Vivienne Roumani-Denn (herself a Libyan Jew) explains the tragic legacy of the nation's Jewish community. While Jews were a part of Libya's culture… More Libya was once a nation with a large and thriving Jewish community; today, only a tiny number of Jews remain there, and this documentary from filmmaker Vivienne Roumani-Denn (herself a Libyan Jew) explains the tragic legacy of the nation's Jewish community. While Jews were a part of Libya's culture since before the birth of Christ, events during the 20th Century were to decimate both the numbers and the spirit of the nation's Jews. During World War II, Italy took control of Libya, where Jews did not fare well under Mussolini's fascist regime. Britain wrested control of Libya from Italy, but the pogroms against the Jewish community only grew worse. Finally, Libya gained independence, but when the Arab states gained power and influence in the Middle East, most of Libya's remaining Jewish population fled, with only a small number of families remaining to uphold the nation's heritage. The Last Jews of Libya received its North American premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi