Atlanta Jewish Film Festival: Moses Ezekiel: Portrait of a Lost Artist

The largely unknown life and legacy of a Jewish-American sculptor are reexamined through his surprising role in shaping Confederate iconography. Virginia-born Moses Jacob Ezekiel, a former Confederate soldier, gained international fame for his monumental works, including the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Yet, his sculptures have faced renewed scrutiny as hundreds of Confederate monuments, some serving as beacons for white supremacists, have been removed across the United States in response to the Black Lives Matter movement and protests against systemic racism. This timely exploration examines Ezekiel’s artistic achievements and controversial contributions, offering a lens into the enduring debate over historical memory and cultural reckoning.