About The Meaning of Hitler

"The Meaning of Hitler" is a powerful documentary, released in 2020, that provides an in-depth and critical examination of why - in the midst of the 21st century - Hitler and Nazism still captivate much of our society. The film presents an urgent dialogue, led by renowned Nazi hunters and scholars, about our culture's attraction to Hitler and the ideologies of Nazism. Using Hitler’s rise as a warning from history, the film also delves into the troubling rise of white supremacy in our current era. Filled with insightful interviews, it enables a vital conversation about the mechanics of fascism.

Making/Production

This thought-provoking film is co-directed by Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker, who are known for their compelling and hard-hitting documentaries. Their use of direct dialogue, archival footage, and discussions with numerous experts, gives viewers a rounded, informative, and deeply concerning view of history repeating itself.

Actors

• Petra Epperlein - Co-director and key commentator in the film, Petra guides viewers through the harrowing journey of historical documentation and analysis.
• Michael Tucker - As co-director, Michael shares Petra’s efforts, by providing objective representation of the subject matter.

Trivia / Interesting Facts about it

• The film draws its name from a best-selling 1978 book by Sebastian Haffner, about the life and legacy of Adolf Hitler.
• The film paints an alarming connection between past and present, deliberately highlighting the similarities between the rise of Hitler and the increasingly prevalent white supremacists of today.

Quotes

• "The past is not even past" - A recurring phrase in the documentary, emphasizing the impact of history on current realities.
• "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - A quote from George Santayana emphasized in the film to stress the importance of learning from history.

Music, Soundtrack

• Music in "The Meaning of Hitler" is used effectively to accentuate the intensity and serious nature of the film’s subject matter, although no distinct soundtrack is employed.

Awards

This powerful film has been selected for multiple renowned film festivals, including DOC NYC and Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, an indication of its critical acclaim and the gravity of its subject matter. However, as of now, it has not won any specific awards.