Three Days in Auschwitz

Three Days in Auschwitz, a documentary film from 2015, represents a personal and poignant attempt from director Philippe Mora to grapple with the chilling horrors of the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. This evocative, moving and wholly personal piece stars Mora and his mother, Mirka Mora, as they journey through his family's painful past, linking their own lives to an unimaginable epoch of human history.

The narrative arc of the film is constructed around three visits made by Mora to Auschwitz over a course of three years, each visit taking place six months apart. These visits serve as a haunting backdrop, lending the film its title and its rueful, contemplative mood as Mora explores not only the history of Auschwitz, but also his own complicated, personal connection to the atrocities that took place there.

Mora, already an accomplished filmmaker, utilizes this documentary as a means to delve into his own heritage. His parents were French resistance fighters, and many of his relatives were killed at Auschwitz thus adding deeper, personal notes to an already harrowing narrative.

Each of Mora's three visits to Auschwitz provides a different lens through which to view the camp – the first visit is about a raw, initial confrontation; the second delves into the horrifying mechanical details of the Nazi's barbarity; the third, an attempt to meditate upon the depth of the loss, not just for his family, but on a global historical level.

Joining Philippe in this remarkable, poignant journey is his mother, Mirka Mora - a French-born Australian visual artist, whose whimsical, vibrant artworks depict an inner world rich in colour, imagination, and resilience. Mirka, a Holocaust survivor herself, brings a strong sense of humanity, warmth, and liveliness to the film, reflecting an indomitable human spirit that survived the most dreadful circumstances.

Three Days in Auschwitz embarks on a journey bearing witness to a dreadful past through personal experiences. It incorporates archival footage, hand-held shots, still photography, and art - bolstered by the powerful artwork of Mirka Mora - juxtaposing the stunning vibrancy of life and art with the harsh realities of Auschwitz.

Additionally, Mora incorporates interviews with Holocaust survivors and experts, their narratives adding another layer of emotional depth to the film. Personal stories and recollections are shared, and the viewer is provided with a comprehensive historical perspective to better understand the magnitude of the Holocaust and the profound human suffering that occurred there.

As the title implies, the film is marked by a keen sense of time - a mere 'Three Days’ serves as a stand-in for a life-altering, tragedy-filled era. The film leaves the viewer with the stark realization that the Holocaust didn't occur in some distant past but within the lifespan of those who are still with us today.

The movie is not only confined to the walls of Auschwitz. It also ventures beyond, into the towns and communities that existed under the shadow of this concentration camp. It explores how the fabric of the whole society was altered as a consequence, the echo of which can still be felt and examined.

Three Days in Auschwitz is not a typical history documentary. Instead, it is a deeply personal and compelling journey through one of the darkest chapters of human history, a film that transcends its somber subject matter to become a touching tribute to human resilience, memory, and the enduring power of art. It invites viewers, regardless of their background, to reflect and remember, ensuring the past isn't forgotten.

In conclusion, Philippe Mora's Three Days in Auschwitz is a significant film that contributes to the ongoing global conversation about the Holocaust. It is a profound cinematic homage to the victims and survivors, steering clear of stereotypical depictions and instead choosing to remember, reflect, and, above all, respect the history of the Holocaust. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in history, the human capacity for survival, and the powerful role that art can play in preserving and interpreting our shared past.