The Commandant's Shadow

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The Commandant's Shadow

PG-13

2024

1h 43m

Documentary

History

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92%

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24 Reviews

86%

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50+ Ratings

"The Commandant's Shadow" 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's 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.

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Critics Consensus

A sobering and powerfully excavated documentary, The Commandant's Shadow confronts the inherited distortions of memory, historical denial, and the enduring shadow of Auschwitz.

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Elizabeth Weitzman

TheWrap

Aug 8, 2024

It unfolds that Anita, an extraordinary character and the film’s true heart, sees Hans Jürgen most clearly. Whether her preternatural practicality is born of trauma or a survivor’s instinct, she understands that people believe what they’re taught...

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Jul 24, 2024

3.5/4

Its most powerful moments occur when 87-year-old Hans Jurgen Hoss confronts the scope and scale of the extermination and realizes that his memories of how idyllic his childhood are faulty.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Jul 13, 2024

4/5

Demonstrates the unnerving historical detail of [The Zone of Interest]. Looking at surviving images of the Höss family residence, it’s easy to confuse archival shots with stills from The Zone of Interest. Even the accents are uncannily similar.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

Feb 13, 2025

While the detailing of “The Final Solution” is uncomfortable and sometimes disturbing viewing, it’s the recriminations and regrets (not necessarily from who you might expect) that really pack an emotional punch here.

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Marcelo Stiletano

La Nación (Argentina)

Sep 13, 2024

This powerful, precise, and revealing documentary, scored by Argentinian Gabriel Chwojnik, reveals with shocking frankness that there are different ways of approaching the past, all legitimate and painful... [Full review in Spanish]

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Pablo O. Scholz

Clarín

Sep 12, 2024

3/4

... A necessary contribution to understand or try to understand human behavior in the most complex moments. [Full review in Spanish]

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Just Me

Jun 4, 2024

This movie is awesome!! I believe everyone should see this and LEARN history....such a wonderful movie!

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maureen g

Jun 3, 2024

Very powerful documentary about man's capacity for evil, denial....and compassion.

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Laura

Jun 2, 2024

Very hard documentary to watch but it was really well told.

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Maria A

Jun 2, 2024

Liked -the emotion // Disliked- wish more info about the siblings of both parties

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Thomas S

May 31, 2024

Its difficult to say I liked the movie due to the very intense subject but it was very illuminating. The Holocaust should be remembered and ever facit brought out to the light. Who ever thought about family of the NAZI murderers? The lady who survived Auschwitz was fantastic! Great for 98 years old!

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Jennifer

May 31, 2024

This movie was moving and very well done. Both sides shared their stories in a meaningful way. The content was hard to see but needed, and it was all done with great care and respect. I will recommend this movie to everyone I talk to about it.

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Daniela Völker

Director

Hans Jurgen Höss

Self

Anita Lasker-Wallfisch

Self

Daniela Völker

Producer

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Synopsis

"The Commandant's Shadow" 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's 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.

Director: Daniela Völker
Producer: Daniela Völker
Distributor: Fathom Events
Production Co: HBO Documentary Films, Warner Bros. Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Documentary, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 29, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 18, 2024
Runtime: 1h 43m

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