Touched by Auschwitz

Touched by Auschwitz is a deeply moving 2015 documentary film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laurence Rees. The film features survivors of Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp that has become synonymous with the Holocaust. Among these survivors, Yael Bier, Haim Birenbaum, and Halina Birnbaum deliver captivating, heartrending accounts of their experiences. This film, though steeped in a profound historical tragedy, is more than just about recalling the horrors of Auschwitz. Instead, it is about human resilience, courage, and survival against unspeakable odds.

The film begins with a panoramic view of the now silenced and deserted Auschwitz, establishing a stark contrast to the historical reality of the place. Laurence Rees gradually builds up the narrative, grounding it not just on the survivors' recounting of the horrors they faced but also on their life before, during, and especially, after the war - focusing on the emotional and psychological implications that such an extraordinarily traumatic experience might have.

The film thus ventures into three main periods of the protagonists' lives – halcyon days before the hell of Auschwitz, traumatic days within its barbed wires and ghastly buildings, and the triumphant days of survival post-liberation. The film also depicts how the ghosts of Auschwitz continue to influence these individuals and their later generations – sometimes subtly and at other times, overtly.

In portraying the survivors as they were before the war, Touched by Auschwitz demonstrates how ordinary and peaceful their early lives were. These young men and women were much like other individuals of their age around the world, with dreams and aspirations that were cruelly taken away from them.

It’s within the concentration camp that we witness their sheer determination and resilience as they cling to the smallest shreds of hope, tapping into incredible depths of human strength to endure each day. The narratives provided by survivors like Yael Bier, Haim Birenbaum, and Halina Birnbaum offer heartbreaking accounts of the experiences they endured. Their stories share a common theme: An unyielding will to survive.

Yet, even after they were freed from Auschwitz, their battle was far from over. The documentary doesn’t ignore the tremendous challenges that survivors faced in trying to re-establish a sense of normalcy. Forced to grapple with the profound psychological effects of their traumatic experiences, these individuals had to summon an immense amount of resolve to rebuild their lives.

In focusing on the post-Auschwitz experiences of survivors, Touched by Auschwitz also delves into an often overlooked aspect of the Holocaust: the intergenerational trauma. The film shines a spotlight on the children and grandchildren of survivors, portraying their journey to understanding and coming to terms with their own indirectly experienced trauma.

Notably, the film does not rely solely on a single method to retell these narratives. It blends traditional dialogue-driven narratives with poignant shots of the present-day survivors visiting their former homes and the camp, interspersed with archival footage. This provides a sense of real-time unfolding while allowing adequate time for reflection.

Touched by Auschwitz is a film that not only helps its viewers to remember and acknowledge the horrors endured by millions during the Holocaust, but it also shows how these events have indelibly influenced the lives of the survivors and their progeny. It’s a poignant and supremely important testament to the enduring spirit of human resilience in the face of unspeakable horror.

Laurence Rees’s Touched by Auschwitz is not just a film; it's an emotive, critical reminder of a historical catastrophe that should never be forgotten. Yet, rather than presenting an image of victimhood, it characterizes the survivors with resilience, courage, and affirmation of life, offering a profoundly moving tribute to the human spirit's tenacity.

Despite dealing with such a tragic period of history, Touched by Auschwitz is filled with life-affirming stories of survival, inspiring a deep emotional resonance long after the credits roll. If anything, this documentary is a testament to surviving against all odds, healing, and ultimately humanizing history by focusing on the individual narratives that are often drowned amid the larger historical catastrophe. It’s a film that stays with you, becoming a part of your understanding of history, human strength, resilience, and sense of hope in the darkest times.