Thursday, November 13 (PDX Only) & Sunday, November 16
Location: Living Room Theaters
When art becomes testimony, history speaks in color.
Join us for special screenings celebrating NATHAN-ISM, the acclaimed documentary that brings to life the story of Nathan Hilu. A Jewish-American World War II veteran, Nathan was an “outsider artist” whose intricate drawings captured his haunting memories as a guard at the Nuremberg trials.
Directed by Elan Golod, this moving film explores the intersection of trauma, memory, and creative expression, offering a deeply human look at one man’s lifelong devotion to remembering history through art.
Following the screening, we’re honored to host director Elan Golod for an in-depth Zoom Q&A about the making of Nathan-ism, his relationship with Hilu, and how Nathan’s story continues to resonate with audiences today.
In a rare opportunity, we’ll also be displaying select original works by Nathan Hilu in our theater lobby, generously shared by director Elan Golod. These pieces are vivid, emotional, and deeply personal, offering a powerful extension of the film and a chance to experience Hilu’s legacy up close.
NATHAN-ISM + NUREMBERG
To further honor the history that shaped Hilu’s art, this event coincides with the release of Nuremberg (2025), James Vanderbilt’s powerful dramatization of the same trials starring Rami Malek and Russell Crowe. We invite guests to experience both films!
Meet the Guest Speaker:
Elan Golod, Director & Editor
After transitioning from a background in visual arts to filmmaking, Elan made his mark in the New York film industry as an editor on a diverse array of projects and as a short-form documentary director.
He was part of the editing team for Mike Birbiglia’s film “Sleepwalk with Me” (Sundance, SXSW) and co-directed and edited the documentary short “Mike Birbiglia: How to Make Whatever This Is.” While working on his feature documentary “Nathan-ism,” he co-edited Birbiglia’s “Don’t Think Twice” (SXSW, Tribeca) and Maya Zinshtein’s documentary “‘Til Kingdom Come” (DocAviv, IDFA).
About the Film
Starring: Nathan Hilu, Eli Rosenbaum, Laura Kruger, Jeannie Rosenfeld, Lori Berdak Miller
At the end of World War II, Nathan Hilu, the son of Syrian Jewish immigrants to New York, receives a life-changing assignment from the U.S. Army. This experience fueled a lifetime of artistic inspiration for Nathan.
