Glimpses into the Archives: The Foundation of a Jerry Lewis Archive

Chris Lewis, son of “total filmmaker” Jerry Lewis presents the Deutsche Kinemathek with selected documentation from the estate of his father, who died in 2017. The collection includes material relating to Lewis’ work as director and lead actor on The Day the Clown Cried (S/F, 1972), a film that has never been released. The European co-production takes a personal approach to the subject of the Holocaust. It is the story of a clown arrested and interned by the Nazis, who ultimately accompanies children to their death at Auschwitz. Among the materials being donated are Lewis’ copy of the script, his shot list, and hundreds of unpublished production stills, as well as correspondence and previously unseen behind the scenes footage. As part of the Berlinale Specials section, there will be a screening of The Nutty Professor (USA, 1963, dir: Jerry Lewis), with Chris Lewis in attendance, on February 22 at 1:15 pm at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele.

Eventroom, 4th floor | Entrance free | in English