Documentary To Kill a Nazi Premieres in New York
The film explores the life of Michel Cojot, a French survivor who helped resolve the 1976 Entebbe hostage crisis.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Documentary
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Filmmaker Boaz Dvir has released his documentary To Kill a Nazi, which chronicles the experiences of Holocaust survivor Michel Cojot. The film highlights Cojot's critical role as a negotiator and informant during the 1976 Entebbe hostage crisis.
Why it matters
The documentary aims to shed new light on the life of Michel Cojot, providing formal recognition for his contributions to the success of the Entebbe rescue mission. It also documents his personal history, including his testimony against Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie.
The documentary, which features a soundtrack by Penn State musicians, includes primary testimony from all four of Cojot's children and several former hostages. This project follows the historical death of Klaus Barbie in 1991 and Cojot in 1999.
The players
Boaz Dvir
He is the filmmaker who directed and produced To Kill a Nazi.
Michel Cojot
He was a French Jewish Holocaust survivor who acted as a key negotiator and intelligence source during the 1976 Entebbe hostage crisis.
Klaus Barbie
He was a Nazi war criminal whose arrest for the detention of Cojot's father was a central focus of Cojot's later life.
The details
The film examines how Cojot, a French Jewish Holocaust survivor, provided essential intelligence to Mossad regarding the layout of the site where hostages were held. It further details his pursuit of justice against Klaus Barbie, the man who signed the arrest papers for Cojot's father.
Timeline
1976: The Entebbe hostage crisis occurs in Uganda.
June 2026: The film premieres at the Dances With Films festival.
October 16, 2026: The New York City premiere takes place.
October 29, 2026: The film screens at the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival.
November 12, 2026: The film screens at the Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival.
Industry Dynamics
Documentaries focusing on singular historical figures from 20th-century conflicts continue to be a staple in independent cinema. By centering on the Entebbe hostage crisis, this film adds to a crowded genre of historical features that analyze geopolitical crises through the lens of individual survivors.
Viewers can attend screenings of the documentary in several cities, including upcoming festival appearances in California, Texas, and Pennsylvania. The film provides audiences with access to new interviews with the family of Michel Cojot.
The takeaway
The documentary illustrates how personal history and global geopolitical events are deeply intertwined through the story of one survivor. It serves as a reminder of the lasting impact that individual witnesses can have on historical justice.
What happens next
The film is scheduled to screen at the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival on October 29, 2026, followed by a screening at the Galaxy Theatre in Austin on October 31, 2026, and the Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival on November 12, 2026.
Further reading
For more films in this genre, explore the Documentary section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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