THE LAST MUSICIAN OF AUSCHWITZ
2024
uK
dir: Toby Trackman
english
89 mins
NOW IN CINEMAS
CLICK HERE TO FIND A SCREENING
​
How can there be music in the worst place in the world? The Last Musician of Auschwitz reveals how music became a lifeline and form of resistance amid the Holocaust's horrors. At its center is 99-year-old cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, the last living survivor from the camp orchestras, whose testimony frames this powerful documentary.
​
The film examines the SS's perverse relationship with music—forcing prisoners to perform for their entertainment and accompany slave labourers, turning art into another form of torture. It also celebrates three other remarkable musicians—Ilse Weber, Szymon Laks, and Adam KopyciÅ„ski—whose compositions are brought to life in moving performances by contemporary artists, including Anita's son Raphael Wallfisch.
​
Filmed in locations surrounding Auschwitz, these deeply emotional performances explore themes of loss, memory, and resilience. Through this innovative approach, the documentary illuminates music's extraordinary power to preserve humanity in its darkest hour - offering not just testimony to suffering, but a profound spark of hope and defiance that continues to resonate today.
JULY:
The Montrose Playhouse / 13 + 17 July
Lumiere Cinema, Romford / 13 & 17 July
Weymouth Pavilion / 14 July ​​
THE TIMES
"Extraordinarily powerful."
★★★★★
THE GUARDIAN
“Intelligent, chilling and devastating... will ring in your ears for years."
★★★★★
THE TELEGRAPH
"This breath-taking documentary will stay with you forever."
★★★★★
RESOURCE PACk FOR SCREENINGS
To support the facilitatation of meaningful conversations following screenings of THE LAST MUSICIAN OF AUSCHWITZ, we have developed a comprehensive discussion guide for community screenings, panels, workshop, and schools.
It offers context, questions, discussion prompts, and activities suitable for various settings within educational, musical, or interfaith organisations, or community groups.
