ANOTHER HOLOCAUST HERO IN BAU: ARTIST AT WAR
In 1943, Joseph Bau (played by Emile Hirsch), a cartoon artist, was living in Kraków, Poland, trapped in a ghetto, forging passport documents to free his colleagues and friends. Eventually, he and his family go to the Płaszów concentration camp under the command of Franz Gruen (Yan Tual); in one scene Bau is whipped several times in the presence of other prisoners. When his talents are recognized, he is brought into the camp office to make maps and posters and meets Rebecca Tennenbaum (Inbar Lavi), a former nurse who is now the manicurist of commandant Amon Goth (Josh Blacker). Whenever possible, Bau carries on a romance with Rebecca, who in turn encourages him to bring humor to his comrades. While some of his fellow prisoners are angry and bitter, he draws flipbook cartoons and tells jokes to bring humor. Although he pleases the commandant with his talents and personality, Gruen is angry that he is not suffering enough; Passover Seder, daily prayer, and Bau’s wedding with Rebecca are featured. During a visit to the camp of Bau meets Oskar Schindler (Edward Foy) and proceeds to forge documents for persons on his list so that they can be transferred to his “munitions factory.” Nevertheless, prisoners are later transferred to Auschwitz, though the war ends while some are still alive, including a scene when Bau tracks down Rebecca at Auschwitz.
Actually, the film begins in 1971, when a lawyer approaches Bau in his Tel Aviv apartment filled with his art, asking him to testify at a war crimes trial of Gruen. The flashback to 1943–1945 comes next, when the lawyer was weak, being strengthened by Bau’s robust optimism. Next comes the trial, held in a courtroom in Vienna. After his presents his testimony, he is cross-examined to discredit what he has said, whereupon his attorney on re-direct asks Bau to clarify several points. Bau, who has been very composed thus far, then gets passionate and eloquent, speaking for a considerable time, followed by applause from the audience. Greve is so angered that he tries at first to shout and later to lunge at Bau, though his advance is stopped, and the presiding judge orders his removal from the courtroom. The verdict of the three-man panel is clear.
Many titles at the end provide more information about the characters, including the fact that Bau assisted the Mossad.
Directed by Sean McNamara, Bau: Artist at War has been nominated by the Political Film Society as best film of 2025 in two categories—best film exposé and best film on human rights.