SUSKIND

Holland, 2012, 118 minutes, Colour.
Jeroen Spitzenberger, Karl Markowics, Katja Herbers.
Directed by Rudolf van den Berg.

The Suskind of the title is Walter Suskind, German born, but resident of Holland, a factory manager at the outbreak of World War II. He is Jewish, sees his foundry making swastikas and applies to the Jewish Council for a job. The Board, who enjoys something of a comfortable relationship with the occupying Gestapo, appoint him to the leadership of the Council, a job which he holds down for the year. He is married, with a daughter. Suskind is played by Dutch actor, Jeroen Spitzenberger.

The film shows the method of selecting Jews to be transported to Germany to work camps – although, it is later realised, that the journeys are to the concentration camps and death. Suskind maintains a relationship with the occupying Gestapo in the person of an official, by Karl Marcovics (The Counterfeiters).

Suskind’s main preoccupation was the saving of children, brought to him by distraught mothers, aided by his staff at the local theatre which has become the headquarters for the Council and the children. He is reported to have saved over 1000 children from going on the trains into Germany. . He works at great personal price, his difficulties and the choices to be made for the decision to go to Germany, the tensions with his wife, care for the children, the facade with the Germans. Ultimately, he and his wife were transported into Germany, the dying in the gas chambers, he on a forced march at the beginning of 1945.

This film as a tribute to him.

1. A picture of Holland during the war, German occupation, the military presence, the treatment of the Jews, oppression? The Jewish Council and its dealings with the Gestapo? The sending of thousands of Jews to the concentration camps? The saving of children?

2. The re-creation of the period, the town, factories, the theatre, the Nazi officers? The streets? The musical score?

3. The true story of Walter Suskind? His background, German, living in Holland, his wife and children? The German occupation? His work in the factory? The episode at the theatre, his trying to save the pianist, playing the piano? Observed by members of the Council? His visit to the Council, his false name, the interview with the Board, the observations and his being watched? His being offered the job? His relationship with his wife, love, her persuading him to take the job because somebody had to do it? His spending a year doing the job as head of the Council, the hardships for him, his relationship with family cotton, his anguish, concern for the children, saving them?

4. Aus der Funten, not wanting to be in Holland, obeying orders, superior officers, the emptying of the Dutch cities of Jews, the number to go by train each week for work experience, but really concentration camps? The lists, the reasons for people being crossed off the list?

5. Suskind, at the theatre, taking over? His looking at the lists? The criteria? The cavalier attitude of the Board, their liaison with the Nazis? Suskind and his realisation of the fate of the children?

6. The special efforts for the children, concealment, trucks, in bags, in boxes? The mothers, their desperation, the desperate mother and her fall from the roof? The mother having to become a prostitute for the SS? Suskind’s visit to her? The range of children, age, experience? The various concealment places, the theatre, basements?

7. The men rounding up Jews and selling them to the Council? The discovery of the children? Fanny Phillips and her attacking him to save the children?

8. Fanny Phillips, her work, the dangers, under threat, arrested, Suskind rescuing her from the train?

9. The German authorities, considering Van der Auten a wimp? His being deceived, sad that he was deceived? His believing in and enjoying the company of Suskind? The final confrontation, Suskind asking where his wife and daughter were? The officer giving him the carriage number?

10. Suskind’s wife, her growing desperation, wanting to leave? Her attacks on her husband? Her being arrested, their daughter? Her being used as a prostitute, her not saying anything, wanting Water to leave? His going to Amsterdam, to get the jewels from the grandparents? Discovering more children? Helping them? Going back, the German officer and the change of the deal? His desperation, finding his wife and child?

11. His various helpers, the man faking the documents, continued support? The singer, when there is only singing to do? The escape, machine gun fire?

12. The final information, wife and daughter gassed, Suskind dying on a forced march?

13. This film as a tribute to him and his work?