The Disappearance of Josef Mengele
(Das Verschwinden des Josef Mengele)
Kirill Serebrennikov
- 2025
- France, Russia, Mexico, Germany
- Biopic / History drama
- 2h15mn
- Original version with French subtitles
- Black and white
Preview premiere
After the second world war, the “angel of death” of Auschwitz, Josef Mengele, flees to South America, well set on disappearing from the face of the earth to escape justice.
Continuing his singular biographical work, Serebrennikov tackles one of history’s darkest pages with this terrifying, harrowing yet never indulgent adaptation of Olivier Guez’s novel. By adopting the monster’s perspective, in the manner of Jonathan Littell in The Kindly Ones, the filmmaker questions history and the present: the power of evil, its psychological workings, and the uncertain punishment that awaits him. Much more streamlined than in his previous works, the form serves its subject, with a narrative virtuosity, a dazzling attention to gestures and framing, supported by August Diehl’s electrifying performance, undeniably at the top of his game.
Screenings
07/09 • 21h00 • Screen 500
In presence of the film crew
13/09 • 17h15 • Screen 500
Credits
- With : August Diehl, Dana Herfurth, Burghart Klaußner, Friederike Becht, Anton Lytvynov...
- Screenplay : Kirill Serebrennikov (based on the novel by Olivier Guez)
- Photography : Vladislav Opelyants
- Editing : Hansjörg Weißbrich
- Music by : Ilya Demutsky
- Production : Charles Gillibert, Ilya Stewart
