Watch Harlan: In the Shadow of Jew Suss

Harlan: In the Shadow of Jew Suss is a 2008 documentary that recounts the life and career of Veit Harlan, the filmmaker who made one of the most infamous films of the Third Reich, Jew Suss (1940). The movie is directed by Felix Moeller, and it features interviews with Harlan's descendants, film historians, and actors who worked with Harlan.

The film explores the legacy of Veit Harlan, an ambitious director who rose to prominence during the Nazi regime, producing films that conveyed the ideology of the regime and glorified the German people. The documentary takes an intimate look at Harlan's family, his career, and the criticism that he faced after the war. It provides audiences with a nuanced view of the man behind the controversial movie and how his work and life came to be defined by Jew Suss.

The narrative of the documentary starts with the story of Veit Harlan's wife, Kristina Soderbaum, an actress who worked with him on many occasions. Soderbaum starred in numerous propaganda films, including Jew Suss, and her performances were praised by the Nazi regime. However, after the war, she and Harlan became pariahs in the film industry, facing trials and protests from the public. From this starting point, the documentary delves into Harlan's life, examining his rise to fame and his complicated relationship with his work.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the film is the interviews with Harlan's descendants. They provide a unique insight into the man who became the focus of an intense public backlash. The interviews are revealing and poignant, as they show the personal cost that Harlan's career had on his family. Particularly moving is the moment when Harlan's granddaughter, Jessica Jacoby-Harlan, reads from a letter that Harlan wrote to his daughters, expressing his remorse and regret for his role in the Nazi propaganda machine.

The film also examines the movie that came to define Harlan: Jew Suss, a propaganda film that tells the story of an 18th-century Jewish banker who manipulated the German court to gain power. The film was one of the most successful movies of the Third Reich, attracting millions of viewers across Germany. However, it was also one of the most controversial movies ever made, and its impact lasted long after the war. With Harlan's direction, the film became a powerful tool for promoting the Nazi ideology and for demonizing the Jewish people.

Harlan's family members contend that he felt coerced into making Jew Suss. Harlan himself would later testify that he was forced to take on the project, and he tried to tone down the script's most egregious attacks on Jews. Nonetheless, the film was seen as a masterpiece of Nazi propaganda, and its influence can still be felt in modern times. The documentary examines the controversy surrounding the film, including its banning in several countries and the protests it faced. It also looks at the impact that the film had on Harlan's work, and the criticism he faced for the rest of his career.

The film also delves into the criticism and protest that Harlan and his work faced after the war. The filmmaker would go on to make movies in post-war Germany that were both successful and controversial. Critics lambasted his work for continuing to glorify the Nazi ideology, and he was blacklisted from the movie industry for a time. The documentary examines the complex legacy of Veit Harlan, a man whose work remains contentious, even to this day.

Harlan: In the Shadow of Jew Suss is a fascinating documentary that explores the complicated legacy of Veit Harlan. It's a moving and personal story that looks at the impact that war, ideology, and propaganda can have on the lives of individuals and their families. The film doesn't shy away from the difficult topics, and it provides audiences with a nuanced view of one of the most controversial filmmakers of the Nazi era.