The Sweetness of Survival: A Look at Marty Supreme's Auschwitz Flashback

Marty Supreme is a movie that races through time and places. But one scene slows it down. It's a flashback to Auschwitz. Béla, a Holocaust survivor, tells a story about his time in the camp. He was a ping-pong player. The Nazis gave him a job disarming bombs. One day, he found beehives. He covered himself in honey. When he returned, other prisoners licked the honey from his body. It's a strange and moving image. This story is told to Milton, a wealthy businessman. Milton's son died fighting in the war. He seems to resent Jewish people. Béla's story might be a way to show Milton their humanity. But it's also a contrast to Marty's life. Marty is all about himself. He wants fame and success. He doesn't care about his family or community.Béla's story is about selflessness. He shares what little sweetness he has with others. Marty, on the other hand, is always hustling. He changes who he is to fit in. He even takes a beating from Milton to keep moving forward. The movie doesn't explain what we should learn from Béla's story. But it's clear that it's different from Marty's world. Marty's world is about speed and success. Béla's story is about stopping and sharing. It's a reminder of what's important. At the end of the movie, Marty meets his newborn son. For the first time, he stops and thinks about something bigger than himself. He cries. It's a moment of change for him. But it's not clear if it's enough.