Final Account

Final Account is a compelling and profound documentary from 2020 that delves into the haunting past of Nazi Germany. Directed and co-produced by the acclaimed British filmmaker Luke Holland, this film is a significant contribution to the archives of World War II history and human psychology. The work is steeped in authenticity, featuring in-depth, firsthand accounts from a segment of the population that rarely speaks about its experiences — the last living generation who participated in the Third Reich.

The deliberation and rigour that factored into the production of the film are evident from the wealth of interviews conducted. Remarkably, Holland spent over a decade relentlessly pursuing these dialogues, reaffirming the documentary as a severe and diligent work of art. Given Holland's untimely death in June 2020, Final Account serves as his last directorial offering, making the film a precious tribute to his commitment to historical accuracy and precision.

Filmed across Germany and Austria, the documentary offers a distinct perspective on an overwhelmingly intricate part of human history. It doesn't lean on a host or narrator; instead, it privileges the voices of its interviewees, allowing their narratives to intertwine and construct an intense historical tapestry. The film is divided into chapters such as "Homeland", "Belief", "Duty", and "Account", each dedicated to exploring different aspects of the participants’ lives and ideologies during the Third Reich.

Throughout the documentary, the viewer is plunged into an unsettling, informative, and thought-provoking journey into the heart of darkness. It strives to ensure that the humanity of the interviewees and the heinousness of their actions, or tolerance thereof, are not lost in translation. The film asks viewers to confront the painful reality that ordinary individuals, when subjected to certain circumstances and ideologies, can become part of acts of terrible inhumanity.

Rather than graphically detailing the atrocities of the Holocaust, Final Account shifts focus to the people behind the actions. It presents them older, in their everyday lives, and seeks to understand the psychology, denial, and remorse of those who were cogs in the wheels of a genocidal machine. The individuals' forthrightness in their descriptions, or, in some cases, their refusal to acknowledge culpability, makes the film a chillingly intimate counter-memory of Germany's darkest hours.

Simultaneously, the documentary puts forth a somber reflection on the abject horror of the Holocaust. It does so by capturing and resonating the terrifying banality of evil, as theorized by political theorist Hannah Arendt. Moments of quiet confession and evasion leave the audience grappling with the monstrous entanglements of morality, ideology, obedience, and denial.

Particularly moving are Holland's interviews with Holocaust survivors, whose poignant testimonies bring moments of devastating heartbreak to the film, adding emotional layers to the recounted history. The film gives space for these voices to be heard, enabling a discourse that's crucial to remember and learn from.

Cinematically, Final Account is captivating. The cinematography brings in a tranquillity inversely proportional to the tumultuous memories the film evokes. The documentary refrains from using flashy visual techniques or sensationalism, standing firm in its adherence to straightforward storytelling. The editing, sound, and music work together to let the accounts breathe, build suspense, and drive home the emotional impact of the narration.

It's worth noting that the film is not an apologist homage, despite its focus on the perpetrators. Instead, it's an examination of memory, guilt, and complicity during a dark period of history. By humanizing individuals who were instrumental in upholding a cruel regime, Holland brings the lessons of history into a contemporary conversation on responsibility, accountability, and the potential consequences of hateful ideologies.

Final Account is an essential documentary because it provides a rare glimpse into the psychology of those who lived through and participated in one of history's darkest chapters, raising fundamental questions about human nature and our capacity for evil. It's a stark reminder of the importance of acknowledging and learning from our global past, raising necessary conversations about moral responsibility and collective memory. This film ultimately foregrounds the necessity of teaching and remembering history, urgently underscoring the need to prevent any recurrence of such horrific events.

In conclusion, Final Account is a chillingly remarkable and thought-provoking documentary for anyone interested in understanding history's psychological and moral dimensions. It poses many uncomfortable but necessary questions for the viewer, leaving an indelible impact long after the credits roll.