Throughout this period of Holocaust remembrance, we also highlight Access Entertainment’s investment in three important films: The Zone of Interest, The Commandant’s Shadow, and The Last Musician of Auschwitz. Additionally, the Foundation has supported Ken Burns’ Documentary The U.S. and the Holocaust. Each of these films offers distinct insights into the Holocaust and its lasting impact on history.
“It has never been more important to educate people of all ages about the Holocaust and where antisemitism can lead. We believe that film and television can play a crucial role in this and help ensure that the memory of the Holocaust stays alive. Indeed, its role will become ever more important as the number of first-hand witnesses able to tell their stories diminishes. This is why we work with first-class talent to bring stories from the Holocaust to audiences worldwide.”
Danny Cohen, President of Access Entertainment
The Zone of Interest
Directed by Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest is an Oscar-winning 2023 historical drama that provides a chilling portrayal of the banality of evil. The film focuses on the domestic life of Rudolf Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, and his family, who reside in a house adjacent to the concentration camp. Through this juxtaposition, the film highlights the stark contrast between the family’s seemingly normal existence and the atrocities occurring just beyond their garden wall. Glazer’s direction emphasizes the family’s detachment and indifference to the horrors of the Holocaust, offering a haunting exploration of human complacency in the face of evil.
View the trailer here.
The Commandant’s Shadow
The Commandant’s Shadow is a 2024 documentary directed by Daniela Völker. The film delves into the personal journey of Hans Jürgen Höss, the 87-year-old son of Rudolf Höss, as he confronts his father’s horrific legacy for the first time. The documentary also features Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, an Auschwitz survivor, who meets with Hans Jürgen, providing a poignant dialogue between the victim and the perpetrator’s lineage. Through these interactions, the film examines the intergenerational trauma and the enduring impact of the Holocaust on both survivors and the descendants of those responsible.
View the trailer here.
The Last Musician of Auschwitz
To mark the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, The Last Musician of Auschwitz tells the story 99-year-old Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a cellist and the only surviving member of the Women’s Orchestra at Auschwitz. This new documentary looks at the experiences of Anita and many others in the camp and beyond who were able to create and play music together amidst the horrors of the Holocaust.
The documentary also examines the stories of three other musicians from across Europe, Ilse Weber, Szymon Laks, and Adam Kopycinski whose works touch on themes of loss, longing and cultural memory. Musical works by these artists are woven throughout the documentary, all performed at resonant locations across Auschwitz. The result is a film which documents both the horrors of the Holocaust and the bravery and defiance of its many victims, to whom music offered a lifeline.
The documentary is available to view in the UK here.
The U.S. and the Holocaust
Directed by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, and Sarah Botstein, The U.S. and the Holocaust examines America’s response to the Holocaust, including its immigration policies, anti-Semitism, and the nation’s efforts to confront Nazi Germany’s atrocities. Through survivor testimonies, archival footage, and historical analysis, the film raises critical questions about how societies respond to genocide and injustice.
Learn more here.
