The Commandant’s Shadow - Official Trailer - Warner Bros. UK & Ireland
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Published 2024-05-06
#TheCommandantsShadow in selected cinemas July 12.
From Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Documentary Films comes filmmaker Daniela Völker’s timely and poignant documentary “The Commandant’s Shadow,” which follows Hans Jürgen Höss, the 87-year-old son of Rudolf Höss, as he faces his father’s terrible legacy for the first time. His father was the Camp Commandant of Auschwitz and masterminded the murder of over a million Jews; the life of Höss and his family was recently fictionalized in the Academy Award-winning “The Zone of Interest.” Now, “The Commandant’s Shadow” tells the story of the real people who lived on site at Höss’s death camp.
While Hans Jurgen Höss enjoyed a happy childhood in the family villa at Auschwitz, Jewish prisoner Anita Lasker-Wallfisch was trying to survive the notorious concentration camp. At the heart of this film is the historic and inspiring moment – eight decades later – when the two come face-to-face. This is the first time the descendant of a major war criminal meets a survivor in such a private and intimate setting, Anita’s London living room. Together with their children, Kai Höss and Maya Lasker-Wallfisch, the four protagonists explore their very different hereditary burdens.
The film features original excerpts of Rudolf Höss’ long-forgotten autobiography, written shortly before his execution. His words are the ultimate proof of what really happened at Auschwitz, documented by the perpetrator himself, countering denial and ignorance of the Holocaust.
This once-in-a-lifetime feature-length documentary explores the relationships of a mother and her daughter, a father and his son, and the long shadows cast by the crimes that impact generations. It raises questions about love, guilt, and forgiveness, but is ultimately a much needed story of hope, acceptance, and compassion.
In the wake of the atrocities of October 7th – and at a time when antisemitism has reached a level not seen since the Holocaust – “The Commandant’s Shadow” is a stark reminder that there can be no reconciliation without a true and honest reckoning of the past. Only then can we hope to avoid repeating history and build a better future.
“The Commandant’s Shadow” is written, produced and directed by Daniela Völker and produced by Gloria Abramoff, with Wendy Robbins, Neil Blair, Jonathan Blair, Matti Leshem, Joel Greenberg, Len Blavatnik, Danny Cohen, Sajan Raj Kurup, Jani Guest and Jamie Jessop serving as executive producers.
Völker’s creative team includes directors of photography Rob Goldie and Piotr Trela, editor Claire Guillon, and music composer Gabriel Chwojnik.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with HBO Documentary Films, A Snowstorm / Creators Inc. Production, In Association with New Mandate Films, A Film By Daniela Völker, “The Commandant’s Shadow.” It will be distributed in theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures, and is rated PG-13 for thematic content involving the Holocaust, some disturbing images, and smoking.
All Comments (21)
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I must see this. It looks incredible.
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I love what she said about Stupid Hatered.
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A powerful documentary! May the memories of those who perished in the shoah forever be a blessing and an inspiration. Never again is now.
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Reality is stranger than fiction.
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What a powerful movie! I hope to watch it soon :)
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Excellent film! Everyone should see it!!
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Sad is, that nothing changed in the mind of the people in this country. I experienced it my self. Really sad.
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There was another movie about this right? In foreign language
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Looks a great important film. Jewish people have had it tough and are experiencing it all over again .living in fear walking the streets today, like she said stupid hatred should stop.
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And there are still people who claim it didn't happen.
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She said they should pick on someone else for change. What have we done. 🤦♂️ that is horrible 😮
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Phenomenal 🇮🇱
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Present 32 Minutes
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"Could it happen again?" Have you seen Gaza, recently?
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Could it happen again? At least not another world war. Comparable scale are the Uighurs (and other dissenters) in China; Syria; Russia. So much more also of smaller scale eg Bosnia, Rawanda, Kurds, Islamists. The factor that seems to be most protective is Democracy - imperfect as that may be: Israel and US still have issues but compare them to these others.
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But he wasn't actually. Leopold 2nd had a few million more. 🤷♀️ And Englands holocaust of multi million in India which the evidence was suppressed.
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more WW2 stuff? Every few months Hollywood does this.
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Chosen people are doing the same thing today
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Those red-bricked buildings look beautiful compared to the conditions in Gaza.
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Repeating History in Gaza in 2024 😢🇮🇪
