The Interpreter of the Silence

The Interpreter of the Silence is a captivating series that follows a young German woman’s discovery of the truth about Auschwitz and the Holocaust. It’s a very nuanced and articulate piece that dives deep into the prejudices against Jews in Germany, the refusal to take accountability by those involved in the atrocities, and the civilians who stood by and did nothing. The five episodes cover micro-aggressive racism that indicates the small build-up to the genocide of Jews during World War II, victim-blaming, misogyny and problematic views of women’s role in society.

The series opens in 1963 where Eva, a German interpreter specialising in Polish, is swept by the prosecuting team of the Frankfurt Auschwitz trials to translate witness testimonies for them. As she studies the subject matter and the vocabulary she needs to effectively translate, she begins to unravel the truth of German crimes during WWII and becomes horrified by everything she discovers. The trial brings forth secrets and certain revelations for Eva that shake the peace she has long lived with as she realises what her sheltered and simple life is based on.

Katharina Stark’s performance as Eva is what makes the character work so well. If given to the wrong actor, Eva can easily fall into the traps of someone whose ignorance and naivety can come across as unlikeable. But Stark has a way of endearing viewers to her. Her eyes evoke a sense of compassion and comfort, which is why it’s not hard to believe that even some of the traumatised witnesses are drawn to her. Eva is curious and extremely determined to do the right thing. She provides the audience with the hope that there are still good people in the world.

The production uses low saturation and cool and neutral colours to keep the tone serious. There’s a large variety of shots: some are from a distance to make small sets look big with camera positioning and angles. This is especially helpful in creating variety within the single set of the courtroom. The close-ups of facial features are also prominent, specifically during the opening statements of the trial wherein the only thing viewers can see is the reader’s mouth as he dictates the crimes allegedly committed by the defendants. This lack of anything else to visually focus on lets the barbaric reality of the Holocaust permeate throughout the reading of the opening statements.

The Interpreter of the Silence is an astounding piece of historical fiction. It teaches its characters hard lessons on the reality of human cruelty and being brave enough to do the right thing. Stark’s exquisite performance is the highlight, with everything else from the script, production and the rest of the cast supporting her with a solid foundation.

Mae Trumata

The Interpreter of the Silence is released on Disney+ on 15^th November 2023.

Watch the trailer for The Interpreter of the Silence here: