A film about truth and lies and how a dishonest man can rise to power.

Ruth Beckermann documents the process of uncovering former UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim’s wartime past. It shows the swift succession of new allegations by the World Jewish Congress during his Austrian presidential campaign, the denial by the Austrian political class, the outbreak of anti-Semitism and patriotism, which finally led to his election.

Created from international archive material and what Beckermann shot at the time, the film shows that history repeats itself time and time again.

2019 Academy Awards - Official Selection
Best Foreign Language Film - Austria

Winner, Glashütte Original - Documentary Award
Berlin International Film Festival 2018

Directed by Ruth Beckermann
Austria, 2018
Documentary
German, French and English (with English subtitles)
94 minutes