The Counterfeiters (2007) Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky

The Counterfeiters is an excellent and powerful German language film about a Jewish counterfeiter, Salomon Sorowitsch, who is forced to run the Nazi counterfeit money operation at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. The film is based on the memoirs of a typographer who worked on the operation in the Second World War and was made in consultation with him during writing and production.

Oscar winning (Best Foreign Language Film 2008) and definitely Oscar worthy, we follow Salomon's journey as he is transported from a concentration camp to the working conditions of the counterfeit team in another camp. It's a little bold to say the counterfeiters are treated 'well' by the Nazis but certainly they do better than others - they are fed, showered and there is a respect between Salomon and main Nazi 'manager' which grows poignantly throughout the film.

There are some extremely harrowing scenes naturally, especially in the development of a young prisoner with TB and the brutality of the Nazi guards, which may be difficult for some to follow but I believe are essential to watch - we must watch so it never happens again. A counterfeit prisoner screams as he is taken to the shower block - "They are going to gas us!" - but stands in shock when the water flows down on him.

Overall, it is shot very well, with stark lighting and a grainy feel to add to the horrors of the situation that the prisoners are in. The performances are exemplary and captivating.

Please watch it.