Aman Goyal
Jaco Van Dormael will shoot his first English-language movie in over a decade in his home country. The filming of the war drama ‘The Magician of Auschwitz’ will start in Belgium in January 2025. The screenplay, penned by Jacob Marx Rice, is adapted from Portuguese author José Rodrigues Dos Santos’ twin novels, ‘The Magician of Auschwitz’ and ‘The Birkenau Scrolls.’
‘The Magician of Auschwitz’ is rooted in true events that occurred amid World War II. These were discovered post-liberation and chronicled by members of the Sonderkommando during the Holocaust. The story begins in 1939, during Nazi Germany’s invasion of Czechoslovakia, as a Jewish magician named Herbert Levin is deported to the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp. He soon encounters a Russian girl and her lover, Francisco Latino. Francisco, a Portuguese soldier, manages to infiltrate the Nazi elite forces, and together, the three characters’ lives become intertwined. Despite the gut-wrenching conditions of Auschwitz, they seek escapism in magic and rediscover hope.
Van Dormael is a renowned filmmaker in the fantasy genre, with his most popular directorial project—and his latest English-language feature—being the acclaimed science fiction drama ‘Mr. Nobody,’ starring Jared Leto. Since then, the Belgian director has focused on smaller-scale projects, including films like ‘Kiss & Cry,’ ‘Cold Blood,’ ‘The Brand New Testament,’ and ‘Bovary,’ as well as several short films and documentaries. Among his other projects is the 1991 film ‘Toto le Héros,’ which received significant recognition, including a BAFTA nomination for Best Film Not in the English Language.
In a statement, Van Dormael shared his thoughts on the novels, their interpretations, and the upcoming adaptation. “It is these delusional beliefs that the magician of Auschwitz uses in his magic tricks to survive in the heart of hell. The point of this film is that every war is based on fiction,” he explained. “A fiction must be created to designate an enemy. Fictions on which racism, nations, wars, and holocausts are based,” he added.
Known for its coastal and hilly landscapes and historical charm, Belgium is as popular a shooting destination as it is a tourist spot. In addition to Van Dormael’s previous projects, the European country has hosted the filming of a range of notable productions over the years. Some of these include the MCU blockbuster ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ the erotic romance ‘Blue Is the Warmest Colour,’ the Academy Award-winning ‘All Quiet on the Western Front,’ and the recently released ‘Under Paris.’
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