The Hilsner Case on the big screen: premiere of a documentary and a discussion with the director

In 1899, the murder of Anežka Hrůzová sent shockwaves through the town of Polná. The crime dominated the newspapers, sparked an anti-Semitic campaign and led to Leopold Hilsner being accused of ritual murder. The award-winning documentary The Future Shapes the Past: The Hilsner Case revisits this case and asks why it continues to influence Czech society and politics to this day. Drawing on new evidence, it re-examines issues surrounding Hilsner’s trial and shows how easily prejudice can shape public opinion and institutional decision-making.

The screening will be followed by a discussion about the film and the broader context of the Hilsner affair, its legacy in Czech society and its relevance in today’s world.

The film is directed by Bryan Richard Felber, an American filmmaker and graduate of the English Language and Literature programme at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University. In his work, he combines history, culture and contemporary social issues. His feature-length documentary debut, The Future Shapes the Past: The Hilsner Case, won the award for Best Documentary at the 2025 Santa Clarita International Film Festival and also took top prize at the 2026 4th Dimension Independent Film Festival.

Admission by donation. Moderated by David Buxbaum.