Bad Nazi, Good Nazi

More than 70 years after World War II, Thalau – a small village in Germany – comes to terms with the complex legacy of native son Wilm Hosenfeld, the Nazi officer widely known for saving Władysław Szpilman – ”The Pianist”, who is now revealed to have been a serial rescuer.

Hosenfeld’s personal diaries record his chilling, gradual disillusionment with the Nazi war machine he belonged to and that Szpilman, incredibly, is just one of sixty people he saved. Thalau’s group of supporters are inspired to have Hosenfeld memorialized at the local school he led before enlisting in Hitler’s army, but the villagers struggle to come to terms with the complicated legacy of a man they want to forget; a Nazi officer and a serial rescuer.

Why the Austin Jewish Film Festival Likes This Film: An excellent documentary that looks at the complex issues around memorializing a Nazi soldier who ended up doing good. The subject of the film is a key figure behind the story illustrated in the multi Oscar winning film, “The Pianist”.

Purchase tickets online here.

This film will be shown in-person on November 6th & November 13th.

This film will be available virtually from November 14th - November 22nd.