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The fate of the Angel of Death”: Mengele exposed in the new film!
The article examines the biography of Josef Mengele, the infamous doctor from Auschwitz, and his current film, which deals with his years in exile.
The fate of the Angel of Death”: Mengele exposed in the new film!
On November 11, 2025, the film “The Disappearance of Josef Mengele” by Kirill Serebrennikov will be a hot topic in German cinemas. The desperate life of this infamous doctor, who became known as the “Angel of Death of Auschwitz,” fascinates and shocks at the same time. Josef Mengele, portrayed by August Diehl, was a key player in the horror of the Auschwitz concentration camp, where he was responsible for selecting prisoners to be sent to the gas chambers. But how does the story continue? The film covers the 30 years that Mengele spent in exile in Latin America after the Second World War and shows his escape across the infamous “Rat Line” to Argentina, where he temporarily lived under the protection of President Juan Perón.
In the film it becomes clear that Mengele initially went into hiding in Germany for four years after the fall of the Nazi regime before he began his journey to the carefree life of Argentina in 1949. This escape is just one of many facets that Serebrennikov illuminates in his harrowing portrayal. The film, shot in black and white, creates an oppressive atmosphere and does not switch chronologically between different time periods. The viewer is confronted with Mengele's first visit to his family in Günzburg in 1956, where he received his real passport, as well as a touching meeting with his son Rolf, who tries to fathom his father's dark past.
A look at the complex figure
Diehl is convincing in his portrayal of Mengele over four decades. The tension between Mengele's former prosperity and his later physical and psychological decline is masterfully captured. The film focuses on the support and protection that Mengele received from those around him - support that many people probably would not have thought possible. Uncomfortable questions about entanglement, responsibility and society's apathy are raised, without providing concrete answers.
The film's relevance is underlined by the current global political situation: Diehl and Serebrennikov emphasize the parallels to the rise of right-wingers and fascists in various countries. The realization that dictatorships need psychopaths to rise in the system is a bitter truth that stands out.
Joseph and his meanings
Another interesting aspect of the name “Josef” is its original meaning. The name comes from Hebrew and means “God will add” or “praise, glory will be taken away”. This deeper meaning gives the name a biblical depth. "Josef" was one of the ten most common boys' names in the United States from 1925 to 1972 and remains a widespread name in many cultures today. Variations such as “José” and “Yusuf” reflect its international distribution, while names such as “Josephine” for girls carry the name forward.
The discussion about Josef Mengele and the associated film sheds light on a dark past that must not be forgotten. As the filmmakers emphasize, it is important to be aware of the historical context and not to lose sight of the lessons from this period.
Take a look in the cinemas and be touched by the exciting, if dark, story that raises questions that are more relevant than ever in our time. More information about the film is available at WSWS, while you can find out about the name Josef at Wikipedia and Think Baby Names.