Yakov Kozalchik was known as "The Warden of the Death Block”. He was also a Jewish Kapo in Auschwitz, who sacrificed his life to save Jews, and was a well-known strongman who performed all over the world. But his heart could not stand the accusations that he collaborated with the Nazis, and at the age of 53, already living in Israel, he took his own life.

His 68 year old son, is now embarking on a remarkable journey to recover the past and discover his father. As with so much that has to do with the Holocaust, this story is not clear-cut and the idea of who hero and victim can often get confused. The audience follows along as the son travels to Auschwitz to begin to confront a murky past.


The Kozalchic Affair

(Doc. 53 min, DVD, 2015 HD)

Written and Directed by: Roni Ninio
Produced by: Tuvi Arbel & Ronit Chen – Arbel Television
Supported by: Israel Channel One, The New Foundation for Film & Television
Language: Hebrew and Polish with English and French subtitles

DVD Release Date:01 November 2015

Synopsis


Yakov Kozalchik was known as "The Warden of the Death Block”. He was also a Jewish Kapo in Auschwitz, who sacrificed his life to save Jews, and was a well-known strongman who performed all over the world. But his heart could not stand the accusations that he collaborated with the Nazis, and at the age of 53, already living in Israel, he took his own life.

His 68 year old son, is now embarking on a remarkable journey to recover the past and discover his father. As with so much that has to do with the Holocaust, this story is not clear-cut and the idea of who hero and victim can often get confused. The audience follows along as...

Awards

  • Nominated for the Israeli Oscars (Ophir Prize), 2015
  • Nominated for the Israeli Documentary Forum Awards, 2015

Festivals

  • Los Angeles Israel Film Festival, 2015

Additional info

Gallery

Press & Links:

Festivals

  • Los Angeles Israel Film Festival, 2015

Educational

  • Museum Memorial de la Shoah, Paris
  • Duke University

Awards

  • Nominated for the Israeli Oscars (Ophir Prize), 2015
  • Nominated for the Israeli Documentary Forum Awards, 2015