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The Commandant’s Shadow

The Commandant’s Shadow

Australian Premiere

As is so often the case, the truth is far more interesting, and more layered, than its fictional depiction.” - Jerusalem Post

An amazing and dramatic historical tableau.” - The Guardian

An overpowering work of excavation and confrontation—as well as a timely and urgent warning about the continuing threat of antisemitism.” - The Daily Beast

The Zone of Interest, an Academy Award-winning film and one of the most riveting and talked-about cinematic releases of 2023, centred on Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his family, who made their home in chilling proximity to the site of atrocities.

In this visceral and transformative documentary, we follow the final reckoning of Hans Jürgen Höss as he struggles with his father’s horrific legacy. Hans, now 87, meets for the first time with Auschwitz survivor and renowned cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, whose day-to-day struggle for survival eight decades ago unfolded in jarring dissonance to Höss’ happy childhood just on the other side of the barbed wire.

Accompanied by their children in a historic encounter in Anita’s living room, the two recount their parallel stories with painful honesty, raising timeless and pertinent questions about guilt and forgiveness.

Audience Pickles

  • Rating

    M

  • Country

    Germany, United Kingdom, Israel, Poland, United States

  • Runtime

    103 Mins

  • Director

    Daniela Völker

  • Cast

    Hans Jürgen Höss, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, Kai Höss, Maya Lasker-Wallfisch

  • Language

    English and German (English subtitles)