We want to draw your attention to a range of material concerning response to FRONTLINE's broadcast of "SHTETL" produced by Marian Marzynski.

First, the controversy. When it was broadcast, "SHTETL" troubled and angered segments of the Polish-American community. A group called the Polish Historical Society issued a press release and wrote a letter. You can learn some more about their views by examining web sites where they are referenced, or to which they contributed.

The debate and literature about "SHTETL" has grown in the years following the 1996 broadcast. In 1999, the Polish Educational Foundation of North America published The Story of Two Shtetls, a book on Polish-Jewish relations during World War II which critiques Marzynski's film. You can read a synopsis of this book at the web site of The Canadian Polish Congress which says the book is "necessary companion reading to Marzynski's film."

Reactions to "SHTETL" also can be found at an interesting question-and-answer session with Marian Marzynski revealing the background to the making of the film and Marzynski's approach to the subject and central characters.

Also of interest is recent correspondence between Zbyszek Romaniuk and Marzynski which offers Romaniuk's comments about the film and Marzynski's response.

Finally, one of the best ways to assess viewer reaction is to read our letters. We invite you to click onto FEEDBACK where "SHTETL" letters already are posted; there will be many more to read there over the days and weeks following broadcast.

And please don't forget to share your own thoughts. Our e-mail address is:
frontline@pbs.org