On6May1945,soldiersofthe88thUSInfantryDivisionoccupiedtheHimmlers’familyhomeinGmundonLakeTegernseewheretheydiscoveredhundredsofprivateletters,documents,journalsandphotographs.ThefilmmakesuseofthesematerialsandcopiousarchivefootagetosketchthebiographyofSScommanderHeinrichHimmlerwhocommittedsuicideattheendofMay1945bytakingacyanidecapsule.Howdidthisnationalisticlower-middle-classmanbecomeHitler’shenchmanresponsiblefordevelopingandexecutingthestrategiesthatledtothemurderofmillionsofJews,homosexuals,CommunistsandRomanypeople?Wheredidhisideologyoriginate?HowdidheseehimselfandhowwasheperceivedinprivatebyhiswifeMargarete,hisdaughterGudrunandhismistressHedwig?Howcouldthemanwhooftenreferredtoso-calledGermanvirtuessuchasorder,decencyandgoodnessalsowritehomeinthemidstofthewarandHolocaust:‘Iamwellinspiteofmyheavyworkload’?WhatwasitthatcausedhisdaughtertosayafteravisittoDachauconcentrationcamp:‘Itwaslovely…’Afilmaboutthepretensionsofamassmurdererandtherepressionofanysenseofguilt.
Berlinale2014
