United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Hosts Special Event Screening and Panel Discussion of THE BOOK THIEF

Last night, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in our nation's capital hosted a screening of the new motion picture THE BOOK THIEF for 400 audience members, including 23 Holocaust survivors and Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden.

Following the screening, THE BOOK THIEF cast members Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nélisse, the film's director Brian Percival and author Markus Zusak, who wrote the novel upon which the film is based, received a standing ovation and participated in a panel discussion moderated by newsman Marvin Kalb. The panelists discussed how the film's themes connect to the Museum's current exhibition, "Some Were Neighbors: Collaboration and Complicity During the Holocaust," which chronicles the behavior of ordinary people during the Holocaust. The panel discussion also covered the importance of films like THE BOOK THIEF and the latter's perspective on World War II.

It was an inspiring evening for all. Commented event attendee Halina Peabody, a Holocaust survivor and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum volunteer: "THE BOOK THIEF is a wonderful film, very emotional for me. I was very moved and thought it was another aspect of the Holocaust."

THE BOOK THIEF tells the story of a spirited and courageous young girl named Liesel, for whom reading becomes a means of escape - and even joy - from the tumultuous events in Nazi Germany enveloping her and everyone she knows and loves. The film opens today (Friday) in exclusive engagements in New York and Los Angeles, and arrives in theaters nationwide November 27th.

One of the world's largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, 20th Century Fox Film produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of 20th Century Fox Film: 20th Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions, 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios.

Pictured: Geoffery Rush, Sophie Nelisse, Brian Percival, and Markus Zusak speak during the premiere of "The Book Thief," sponsored by the US Holocaust Museum at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum on November 7, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/20th Century Fox)

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