The Commandant's Shadow

His father murdered more than a million Jews at Auschwitz. She survived the camp against all odds. 80 years later, they come face to face.

7.2

31 votes

2024

1h 43m

Documentary

History

War

Overview

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.

Directed by Daniela Völker