The Commandant's Shadow

The Commandant's Shadow is a documentary that examines the contrasting experiences of two people connected to the Auschwitz concentration camp. While Hans Jurgen Höss spent his childhood in the camp's family villa, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch fought for survival as a prisoner. Eight decades later, the descendant of the war criminal and the survivor meet privately in a London living room. Along with their children, Kai Höss and Maya Lasker-Wallfisch, they discuss the generational impact of the Holocaust. The film utilizes archive footage, personal letters, and direct testimonies to explore themes of guilt, forgiveness, and hereditary burdens.

Written and directed by Daniela Völker, who also served as a producer alongside Gloria Abramoff, the film is a co-production between Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The cast features Hans-Jürgen Höss, Kai Höss, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, and Maya Lasker-Wallfisch appearing as themselves, with archival footage of Rudolf Höss and Adolf Hitler. Released on May 29, 2024, the production has a runtime of 103 minutes. On TMDB, the film holds a rating of 7.2/10 based on 31 votes.