Though I posted this just over a month ago, a friendly reminder
wouldn’t be out of place to say that yours truly be will returning to the Black Cinema House in Chicago, this Sunday, to introduce and lead a discussion on a film of genuine interest
that should be better known – the 1952 German film Toxi.

I have a real fascination for the film since I first saw
it several years ago, and I wrote extensively about it on S & A last
summer (HERE). It centers around an abandoned mixed race German “occupation
baby” (children of U.S, soldiers, stationed in Germany after the war, and
German women who were abandoned by their parents) and her search for happiness
and a place to belong.

The lead role is played by Elfie Fiegert, who was a real life occupation baby herself, and
whose life, after the film was released, was definitely not a happy one.

It was conceived as an answer, and a re-examination, by
some German filmmakers, of Hitler’s and the Nazi Party’s Aryan “racial
purity” agenda, as well as
trying to come to terms with Germany’s guilt and the repercussions of the past. It’s all done in a melodramatic, slick, high gloss style that wouldn’t be out
of place among Hollywood studio films of the period.

Needless to say, the film is far from perfect with its share of problems, but, as I’ve
said before, it’s definitely a fascinating film and very worthy of rediscovery,

The movie will be screened at the Black Cinema House on Sunday May 5th, starting at at 6PM. To RSVP a seat, because they
are limited, go HERE.