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Famed documentary maker Joe Berlinger emphasizes the essential social justice element in each of his creations, questioning the type of impact it might bring. This approach was vital for his recent series, “Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial.” While the subject of Adolf Hitler and World War II is not uncharted, this particular series stands out by delving into the Nuremberg Trials and the Eastern front’s horrors—focal points in the six-episode arc, Berlinger explained in a chat focusing on video.
With most Americans aware of the Western conflict due to American military involvement, the series concentrates on the less familiar but crucial Eastern battles. Berlinger believes this perspective holds the key to understanding the present day.
Despite criticisms for potentially glorifying the negative in works like “Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes,” Berlinger draws parallels to educate a younger audience about past horrors and their influence today.
To captivate a modern audience, Berlinger utilizes cinema techniques they are accustomed to. “Hitler and the Nazis” embellishes historical facts with technologically enhanced narrations, mainly from William L. Shirer, a journalist who closely followed Hitler’s ascension.
Balázs Kató as William Shirer in “Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial” (Netflix)
Actor portrayals and technology are synthesized to render the past vividly while showing respect for the victims of concentration camps by leaving such footage in black and white.
Gábor Sótonyi as Hermann Göring in “Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial” (Netflix)
Berlinger stresses the importance of instilling a sense of empathy and understanding the grave consequences of hate and ‘otherization.’
Intent on making “Hitler and the Nazis” a “present-tense experience,” Berlinger sought to engage with contemporary sensibilities toward history.
Startling statistics regarding Holocaust unawareness among younger generations underline the significance of the docuseries. Berlinger sees distressing parallels in today’s world, where propagation of false information and normalization of hate are on the rise.
Hans Frank, Nazi Governor General of the occupied Polish territories from “Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial” (Netflix)He points to the dangers of aligning with leaders or ideologies that encourage division and misinformation, creating parallels with current political climates.
Berlinger concludes with a reminder of democracy’s fragility and the importance of commonly held truths in preserving it.
Stream “Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial” now available on Netflix.
FAQ Section
- What is the main approach of Joe Berlinger’s docuseries “Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial”?
- Joe Berlinger’s docuseries approaches the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime by focusing on the Nuremberg Trials and the atrocities committed on the Eastern front. It aims to make historical events resonate with a modern audience through a mixture of archival footage, dramatic reenactments, and technology-enhanced narrations.
- Why does Berlinger focus on the social justice aspect in his documentary works?
- Berlinger focuses on social justice to educate and impact his audience about critical issues and lessons from the past that influence current society, particularly concerning hate, ‘otherization,’ and the importance of truth.
- How does “Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial” reach its desired audience?
- The series reaches its audience by using new cinematic tools, colorization, AI-generated voice narrations, and dramatic reenactments, aimed at creating empathy and conveying the intensity of historical events to younger generations familiar with high-quality production values.
- Who is William L. Shirer and what role does his work play in the series?
- William L. Shirer was a journalist and foreign correspondent who chronicled Hitler’s rise to power. His work, including “Berlin Diary” and “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich,” serve as authoritative accounts and form the backbone of the narrative in the series.