Director Felix Randau’s latest film, I Is Another (German: Ich Ist ein Anderer), is set to premiere at the 79th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, delving into the controversial legacy of Felix Kersten, Heinrich Himmler’s personal massage therapist, whose post-war claims of heroism have long been debated by historians. The film offers a nuanced exploration of truth, perception, and the construction of personal narratives in the shadow of World War II, presenting Kersten not as a clear-cut savior but as a complex figure whose motivations blur the lines between opportunism and genuine good deeds.
Unraveling the Myth of Felix Kersten
Felix Kersten, a Finnish-born masseur, gained notoriety for his extraordinary access to SS leader Heinrich Himmler during World War II. Kersten claimed to have used his therapeutic sessions with Himmler, who suffered from severe stomach cramps, to extract concessions and save thousands of lives from Nazi concentration camps. Post-war, Kersten actively cultivated a heroic image, publishing an autobiography that painted him as a secret humanitarian who manipulated one of the most powerful and feared figures in the Third Reich. These claims, while celebrated in some quarters, have been rigorously scrutinized by historians, many of whom suggest his impact was significantly exaggerated, often serving his own post-war rehabilitation.
The genesis of I Is Another began when German writer-director Felix Randau, known for his film Iceman, received a proposal from France to direct a miniseries centered on Kersten. The concept, which positioned Kersten as a hero on par with Oskar Schindler, immediately raised Randau’s suspicions. "If Steven Spielberg had known about Felix Kersten, he would have shot a film about Felix Kersten and not about Oskar Schindler," Randau recalled the proposal stating, a comparison he found jarring given Spielberg’s extensive research for Schindler’s List. This bold assertion prompted Randau to embark on his own deep dive into historical archives and academic texts, uncovering a much more ambiguous portrait of Kersten than the "superhero story" initially presented.
"I Is Another": A Post-War Psychological Thriller
Randau’s extensive research convinced him that a straightforward heroic narrative would be disingenuous. Instead, he conceived I Is Another, a psychological drama set in 1952, designed to dissect the multifaceted nature of Kersten’s legacy. The film unfolds primarily on a train journey, where a skeptical journalist named Hedda ambushes Kersten and his wife, Irmgard. Hedda harbors doubts about Kersten’s self-aggrandizing accounts, particularly as his heroic narrative is gaining traction and potentially leading to a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. What begins as a seemingly routine interview quickly devolves into an intense cat-and-mouse game, challenging both Kersten’s carefully constructed image and Hedda’s own preconceptions.
The film’s title, I Is Another, reflects its central thematic concern: the fluidity of identity and truth. Randau emphasizes this in a director’s note, stating, "Every story has three sides. Yours. Mine. And the truth…" This approach allows the film to explore the subjective nature of memory and historical events, particularly when individuals are motivated by self-preservation or a desire for validation. The narrative deliberately blurs the lines between verifiable fact and personal myth-making. Scenes depicting Kersten’s interactions with Himmler are drawn directly from Kersten’s autobiography, which Randau acknowledges are likely embellished but represent "his truth." Conversely, the contemporary encounters on the train are fictionalized, yet they aim to capture an underlying emotional and psychological truth about Kersten’s character.
The Enduring Relevance of "I Is Another"
Beyond its historical setting, I Is Another aims to resonate deeply with contemporary audiences, tackling themes that Randau believes are more pertinent than ever. "It’s about truth and the question: what is truth?" Randau explained. "Nowadays, there are no more fundamental agreements about anything, so truth has become quite a flexible thing. And that’s very dangerous, as we all can see." This sentiment connects the post-war struggle for narrative control to the modern era of "fake news" and social media, where personal branding and curated images often eclipse objective reality. Randau even suggests that if Felix Kersten were alive today, he would be deeply immersed in the world of social media, leveraging its tools to shape his public persona.
The film’s exploration of Kersten’s character delves into the complexities of human motivation. Randau describes Kersten as a narcissist and an opportunist, yet acknowledges that he "saved some lives," albeit not the thousands he claimed. Crucially, Randau posits that Kersten’s actions might have been driven less by altruism and more by a desire for self-preservation. This nuanced portrayal challenges simplistic notions of good and evil, forcing viewers to confront the uncomfortable idea that heroic acts can sometimes stem from morally ambiguous intentions.
Crafting the Ambiguity: Claes Bang on Felix Kersten
The cast of I Is Another features prominent European actors, with Danish star Claes Bang (The Square, Bad Sisters) taking on the challenging role of Felix Kersten. Bang admitted he knew nothing of Kersten prior to Randau’s approach, but quickly became fascinated by the story’s "crazy" and overlooked nature. Despite a lengthy financing process and a tight 24-day shooting schedule, Bang remained committed to the project, praising the cast and crew’s dedication.
Bang’s portrayal of Kersten centers on the character’s relentless pursuit of validation. He observes that Kersten’s exaggerated post-war claims stemmed from a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the recognition he received. "Ultimately, Kersten wants the Nobel Peace Prize because that would validate him," Bang noted, drawing a parallel to contemporary figures who "desperately want the Nobel Peace Prize." This desire for external validation, Bang suggests, is a universal human trait, questioning why individuals often struggle to find inner peace and self-worth without external acclaim. For Bang and Randau, physical resemblance to the real Kersten was secondary; the focus was on capturing "the journey of a soul."
The Ensemble’s Vision for "I Is Another"
Austrian actress Valerie Pachner (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) embodies the journalist Hedda, a character designed to be more complex than a simple truth-seeker. Pachner was drawn to the film’s themes of self-perception and the malleability of truth, noting how Kersten’s autobiography was readily accepted as fact. She highlights Hedda’s own "twisted and dark story," suggesting that the journalist, much like Kersten, grapples with her identity and the image she projects. This parallel between interviewer and subject underscores the film’s central idea that "maybe she and Kersten are not that different."
Susanne Wuest, who plays Kersten’s wife Irmgard, further emphasizes the film’s timeliness. Wuest sees strong parallels between the film’s depiction of self-image manipulation and the "me, me, me culture" prevalent on social media, where individuals constantly "sell something" rather than fostering community. She also links the film’s themes to the global rise of right-wing political ideologies, arguing that both trends reflect a dangerous focus on individual perception over collective truth. Wuest appreciates the film’s multi-layered perspective, offering insights from Kersten, Hedda, Irmgard, Hedda’s husband (played by Timocin Ziegler), the audience, and the director himself. Irmgard’s character design, with a timeless "Hollywood couple" aesthetic, further reinforces the idea that the film is portraying memory and perception rather than strict historical accuracy.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
I Is Another, with its premiere at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival, serves as a poignant commentary on the construction of historical narratives and the enduring human need for validation. The film challenges audiences to critically examine the stories they are told, particularly those concerning figures operating in morally compromised environments. Its timely exploration of truth’s flexibility and the pervasive influence of self-image positions it as a relevant piece of European cinema in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Beta Cinema is handling international sales, aiming to bring this thought-provoking drama to a wider global audience. The film’s rigorous investigation into Felix Kersten’s contested legacy, combined with its contemporary resonance, ensures that I Is Another will spark crucial conversations about historical revisionism, personal accountability, and the elusive nature of truth in both past and present contexts.
