In the film Meet The Hitlers, Emmy-nominated director Matt Ogens explores the prejudice in a way where dominant white culture may be able to grasp. While many Americans don’t ever wonder what it is like to have someone laugh or cringe at your name, that has been a regular occurrence for me from the time I entered primary school. Not only did people laugh, people genuinely ask me why I don’t change my name from Shahab to something like Sam or Shaun. And when I advise these folks that I do not want to change who I am, they still look at me in disbelief.
The documentary opens up in a montage of every person who the filmmakers follow over the course of the film answering the same question: why not change your name? Of course, these folks, their name is Hitler (or Hittler). And their response is akin to mine. I wouldn’t change my name any more than you would.
80-year-old Gene Hitler more than expects a double take whenever he presents his Medicare card. Should he? His family came to America in the 1700s.
Teenager Emily Hittler finds high school a struggle (which it is for most kids), but her great uncle fought in World War Two and was an American Hero. That’s right, Hitler Vs Hittler!!
Craftsman Hitler Gutierrez, well, his father simply found a name that was not common because he wanted people to remember his son. Remember him they do.
It’s a must-see for anyone living in first world countries who has a taste for documentaries.
Con: The film is a series of disjointed story arcs that don’t have anything to do with each other except for the familiar name.
Pro: The film asserts the importance of family and and brings to light all sides of racial prejudice in America and abroad.
