GENOCIDE AS A CINEMATIC SUBJECT: THE SACRIFICIAL ACT THROUGH APPROPRIATIVE MIMICRY MEDIATED BY THE DIALOGICAL IN CLASSROOM PEDAGOGY

Abstract

This paper explores the sensitive topic of genocide through the lens of cinema as a pedagogical tool. In the face of historical amnesia surrounding certain atrocities, this film has emerged as a powerful medium for preserving memory and fostering awareness among broader audiences, especially within educational settings. The study proposes a classroom approach for high school and university students that revisits four major genocides of the 20th century: the Armenian, Ukrainian (Holodomor), Jewish (Holocaust), and Rwandan. These tragedies are examined through four representative films: The Promise, Mr. Jones, Schindler’s List, and Hotel Rwanda. Drawing on Martin Buber’s principle of dialogical relationships and Edgar Morin’s concept of dialogics, this paper also considers René Girard’s theory of the sacrificial act and the scapegoat mechanism. It aims to provoke a deeper reflection on the moral and cultural values implicated in mass violence. Through this interdisciplinary framework, cinema becomes a catalyst for critical engagement and ethical inquiry in the classroom.