Oscilloscope Laboratories announced today that it has acquired North American rights to WHAT OUR FATHERS DID: A NAZI LEGACY, the stirring documentary from esteemed director David Evans (“Downton Abbey”), which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival (as A NAZI LEGACY: WHAT OUR FATHERS DID). Oscilloscope will release the film theatrically on November 6th, with a digital release to follow.
A poignant, thought-provoking account of friendship and the toll of inherited guilt, WHAT OUR FATHERS DID explores the relationship between two men, each of whom are the children of very high-ranking Nazi officials and possess starkly contrasting attitudes toward their fathers. Eminent human rights lawyer Philippe Sands investigates the complicated connection between the two, and even delves into the story of his own grandfather who escaped the same town where their fathers carried out mass killings. The three embark on an emotional journey together, as they travel through Europe and converse about the past, examining the sins of their fathers and providing a unique view of the father-son relationship, ultimately coming to some very unexpected and difficult conclusions.
Writer-presenter Philippe Sands said: “This is both an intensely personal story for me as well as one with contemporary and universal relevance as anti-Semitism spreads across Europe and the wounds created in Ukraine during WWII can still be felt today. I am thrilled to be working with Oscilloscope, the perfect team for this documentary feature.”
O-Scope’s Dan Berger said, “WHAT OUR FATHERS DID is a probing and complex documentary told with immediacy and relevance. Its importance can’t be understated. David and Philippe have created something that will truly stand the test of time.”
The film was produced by Oscar-nominated producers Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey through their company Wildgaze Films. Andrew Herwitz, president of The Film Sales Company, negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.