The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Miniseries

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is impressive but just as (un)realistic as the book. In the television series, there is also constant reference to the series being a representation of the novel. The makers of the series are well aware that historians and other survivors of Auschwitz have some criticisms of the reality behind the story. The question is whether this is due to the traumatized memory of Lali Sokolov (played in the series by Harvey Keitel and in the younger version by Jonah Hauer-King) or to the limited experience of Heather Morris (Melanie Lynskey) as a writer. Both could be the case. The fact is, however, that the series, just like the book, manages to present a realistic image despite the imperfections.



The imperfections include the freedom that Lali has in Auschwitz. He will undoubtedly have enjoyed more freedom than other prisoners of the concentration camp due to his job as a tattoo artist. The freedom to walk from section to section in the camp without guards or checks at the gates is seriously questioned. The relationship between Lali and SS officer Stefan Baretzki (an excellent role by Jonas Nay) is also disputed. SS officers were not so explicitly concerned with the safety of the prisoners. This was left to others. On the other hand, the series also receives praise from those same historians. For example, they are positive that some scenes from the book were not included in the story because they were certainly not true.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a chilling warning.

Despite the above criticism, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is definitely worth seeing for several reasons. The story may be questioned in parts, but it does show an impressive picture of the horrors. The people who look directly into the camera in still shots make a deep impression. As a viewer, you know when you watch those images that they are dead or going to die. The emaciated camp inmates look, as far as this is possible in the present day, as badly battered as you would expect. Despite all the brutal violence depicted, it is precisely the constantly smoking chimneys in the background that create a terribly eerie feeling. The fact that you do not see but do know what is happening there makes it all the more threatening. The fact that Lali ends up in the gas chamber in an impressive scene creates an even greater impact.



The psychological consequences of captivity in the concentration camp are also realistically presented in the story. Lali lives until his death with the question why he survived and all the others did not. His special status means that he has seen and done a lot to survive. The choice to survive and not to choose the other will haunt him until his death. The power of the story also lies in the relationships that Lali has. Of course, the love relationship with fellow camp inmate Gita Furmanova (strong role of Anna Próchniak) plays a major role. His ambivalent relationship with SS officer Stefan is also strongly developed. Being dependent on someone who can constantly use violence and determines whether you live or die leaves deep traces in Lali's psyche. It ensures that Lali does not always want to tell the truth to Heather in the interviews he has with her. It also indirectly gives a reason why not everything that is written down and filmed is equally real.

Despite all the brutal violence depicted, it is the constantly smoking chimneys in the background that create a terribly eerie feeling.

So there are a few things to criticize about the series. On the other hand, the story and how it is portrayed are rock solid. It is precisely at the points where the story seems to take liberties with reality that it perhaps makes the most impression. The relationship that Lali and Gita build up is, despite all the violence around them, a beautiful and hopeful story. It gives a glimmer of hope in a very dark time. The other impressive part is the psychological games that are played in several areas. It is a realistic representation of what happened in Auschwitz. Only the basis for this is laid by the relationship between Lali and Stefan, which turns out not to be so realistic.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a chilling warning. After the war, the idea of ​​never again was alive for a long time. Unfortunately, recent history and the developments that have resulted from it seem to show that we are heading towards something similar again. After watching this miniseries, it is chilling to think and feel that.