Notre Nazi (Unser Nazi)

By the time he cast Alfred Filbert in the lead role, Thomas Harlan must have realised that the filming of Wundkanal would develop into something extraordinary, which is why he hired Robert Kramer to document it. The result was a parallel and meta-film: Notre Nazi. Here we see Harlan playing with Filbert, cajoling him so that the latter opens up and does what is asked of him, becoming more and more trusting of the son of the ‘Great Comforter’ Veit. We also see the reactions of the film crew, whose disgust at the perpetrator grows in their midst until they discover the perpetrator within themselves. Then the silence of the accomplices. The fascism of being justified becomes visible - but where do you end up if you consider Filbert's five ribs to be as important as the thousands and thousands of deaths for which he is partly responsible? Or is that exactly what you have to do? (Olaf Möller)

Courtesy Filmmuseum Munich

Photo: Viennale