Kalamazoo College’s Jewish Studies program will screen the documentary Sapiro v. Ford: The Jew Who Sued Henry Ford at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 7, in the Recital Hall of the Light Fine Arts Building.
The free, public event will feature producer Carol King, who will discuss the documentary and the story behind its creation.
Sapiro v. Ford tells the story of Aaron Sapiro, a Jewish lawyer who challenged automobile industrialist Henry Ford in court after Ford’s newspaper, The Dearborn Independent, published antisemitic accusations portraying Sapiro as part of a global Jewish conspiracy. Sapiro filed a libel lawsuit against Ford in 1927, creating a landmark confrontation over antisemitism, propaganda and the limits of free speech.
The documentary presents Sapiro’s legal battle as a David-and-Goliath story, examining how he confronted one of the most powerful and prominent figures in American industry. The film also explores the broader significance of Sapiro’s actions and their relevance to contemporary questions about prejudice, propaganda and justice.
The project originated with King’s late husband, filmmaker Michael Rose, who had been developing the documentary with King for more than a decade before he died in 2020. King then partnered with award-winning documentary filmmaker Gaylen Ross, who directed the completed film.
King, a Detroit native and graduate of Western Michigan University, spent much of her career working in women’s rights, public policy and politics before moving to California. She was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2008 and later worked as an executive producer in documentary filmmaking with Rose.
The documentary debuted this year at Jewish film festivals and has been recognized for its examination of a little-known episode in American history. By revisiting Sapiro’s confrontation with Ford, the film considers how individuals can respond when powerful institutions amplify prejudice and misinformation.
The screening is sponsored by Kalamazoo College’s Jewish Studies program, which regularly brings scholars, filmmakers and other speakers to campus for events examining Jewish history, culture, religion and contemporary issues. The program’s events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jeffrey Haus, director of Jewish Studies, at 269.337.5789 or Jeffrey.Haus@kzoo.edu.
