Getting Away with Murder(s)

I was lucky enough to see this documentary at Broadway cinema in Nottingham during its opening UK tour. I knew it was going to be a long film, followed by a Q&A with the Director, and Malka Levine, who is a survivor of the Holocaust, and also appears in the film. I can honestly say that I've never experienced a documentary like it before, unparalled for it its depth and intensity. From beginning to end it asks important questions and highlights layers of injustice on injustices that have never been highlighted before in the myriad of Holocaust documentaries that have been produced since the end of World War II. Like all films on this subject, it is at times harrowing and disturbing, but this is a documentary that had to be made, and deserves to be watched. It is without question an important piece of cinematic work.

Although this documentary rigorously explored the lack of justice for the millions of victims of the Nazis in minute detail, it finished with a warning about mass murderers today being emboldened by a similar refusal to dispense full retribution today, mentioning the most recent offenders of modern times. This list ends with RUSSIA. Considering the genocide taking place in Ukraine as I write, this film could not be more pertinent to right now.

I thought I knew all about the Holocaust. I was wrong. I left the cinema with tears of rage and sadness. Three hours flew by with an increasing build as interviews and scenes from the time and the present day added layer upon layer of evidence, fact and pain. A beautifully shot and compelling film which will stay with me.

I had always presumed once Joseph Mengele escaped to Argentina that he remained in South America until his death. Not so. The truth about were he went and when and who he visited is truly disturbing. GETTING AWAY WITH MURDERS lays bare many uncomfortable truths - perhaps too many for some, especially those who try to deny that the holocaust ever happened.

Good documentaries tell stories, the best ones are films that the viewer learns from. And there is a lot to take in here. Emotion is overwhelming; anger and shame against compassion and sorrow.

This film really should form part of the school curriculum in the UK and beyond. Everything revealed within it could all so easily happen again, especially now in our post-truth age.

GETTING AWAY WITH MURDERS is essential viewing.

An important film on so many levels and hugely relevant in our current global and domestic political landscape. Be warned this is a long film and it is a difficult watch at times but this is history that should be common knowledge and should never be forgotten.