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Tuesday, 06 May 2008 |
 Starring Karl Markovics, Devid Striesow; Directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky
“You Jews. Tricks and fakeries. It’s what you’re good at.” The Counterfeiters is not for the faint of heart. Austria’s Oscar-winning war-thriller has an unwavering devotion to a clear voice, one that excites and disgusts in equal measure. To call it fascinating undersells the story.
Operation Bernhard was a Nazi scheme to ruin the economies of Britain and the US with the largest counterfeiting operation in history. They needed a good forger, and in “Sally” Sorowitsch they had ‘the most charming scoundrel in Germany’. He and a group of erstwhile printers were seconded, and so good was their labour that they were rewarded for duping the Bank of England with a ping-pong table. “One adapts or dies,” explains Sal to a principled inmate, disgusted that Jews are aiding the Nazi war.
It’s a heady brew that explores morality and the ambiguity of survival. An overwhelming claustrophobia purveys Ruzowitzky’s elegant film as he examines an ocean of guilt through which Sorowitsch navigates – helping Nazis, privileged positions, in return for staying alive. Anchored by Markovics’ wiry, angular performance and an insistent tango score that gets to the bones of the film – impudent and dominant – The Counterfeiters ranks among the greats.
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