Labyrinth of Lies--A German Attempt to cleanse

 "Labyrinth of Lies" starts in 1958. At one point an older man asks some younger adults if any of them including our lead character, a lawyer, Johann Radman knew of Auschwitz.  They had no awareness.  Survivors did not want to talk about their suffering.  An actual historical character, Fritz Bauer charges Radman, a fictional composite with bringing out the Truth.  We learn Bauer chose only young prosecutors to avoid contamination.

An awkward time in German history.  By 1958 it was inevitable that former members of the Nazis were in positions of authority as well in common jobs.  They wanted to forget about their shame,  and move on.  

Radman found the task very difficult as he was greeted with denial from many and refusals from those whose current situation was tied to the guilty.  

Radman was given a romantic lead, Marlene to individualize the predicament.  It turns out he learns his father had been a Nazi and then he learns that Marlene's father had been a Nazi.  That accusation broke their relationship. 

We are told many Germans joined the Nazis pragmatically and that many like the two fathers drank to excess to bury their feelings.  Bystanders realize  they helped make the Holocaust possible.  Many want to get back to normal as soon as possible and not talk about it.  They feel the big concern is Russia.

There was disappointment when Adolf Eichmann wasl bundled off to Israel for trial and execution as the Germans felt they could have learned about Eichmann's superiors.  They knew of Josif Mengele's location in South America and visits to Europe, but in the end Mengele died outside justice.

Near the end, Radman and a Auschwitz survivor Simon traveled to Auschwitz to read a Kaddish for Simon's two daughters that had been apprehended by Josif Mengele.

Just before the end we are assembled to enter a court room.  The results are posted before the end credits.  There is no mystery to the basic outcome, but the film is focused on the social and legal process. 

Without the brutality of most Holocaust films, "Labyrinth of Lies" deals with the adjustments made by the German public.  Here are some of the people who made it gripping.

Giulio Ricciarelli was the director and a co-writer.  He was born in Italy, but raised in Germany.  Initially he was active in the theatre.  He has 14 credits as actor, 6 as producer and 4 as director.  

Sebastian Pille and Nicki Reiser handled the music.  Between the two they have over 90 composing credits.

Romain Osin was a cinematographer.  He has 38 cinematography credits and 4 for the camera and electrical department including "Pride & Prejudice' (2005).

Andrea Martens was the editor.  She has 14 credits as editor, 3 for the editorial department and 1 for the sound department including "When We Leave"(2010).

Alexander Fehling played Johann Radman.  He has 32 acting credits, 1 for directing, 1 for writing and 1 for dubbing including "Inglorious Basterds" (2009), "Homeland" (2015) and "A Hidden Life" (2019).

Friederike Becht played Marlene.  She has 46 acting credits including "The Reader" (2008).

Gert Voss played Fritz Bauer.  He was born in China and his family returned to Germany in 1948.  He established his credibility in German theatre.  He died just a few months before the release of the film.  Gert has 26 acting credits.

Ted Williams played Major Parker.  He was raised in America, but learned German as adult.  He attracted attention for his "Trivago" commercials.  He has 39 acting credits including for the French film "Chicken aux plums" (2011).

My viewing was with a DVD that allowed me to hear the director and lead actor commentary as well as Question and Answer session with the two, both in fluent English.  It gives a little different perspective on Germany and the Holocaust and helps explain the feeling of shame, guilt and fear.  Worth while