Prisoner Number A26188: Surviving Auschwitz is an autobiographical documentary film that tells the story of Roman Kent, a Polish-born Jewish survivor of the Holocaust. Roman was only 12 years old when he and his family were forced into the notorious concentration camp Auschwitz during World War II. He was given the brutal identification number A26188, which became his identity for the next three deadly years.
The film begins with archival footage of the deportation of Jews from Radom, Poland, where Roman grew up. Roman talks about his early childhood, how he was a happy and curious child, and how everything changed when the Nazi regime came into power. The film then takes us through his journey from being rounded up by Nazis, put on a train, and brought to Auschwitz with his family. Roman remembers how he saw other Jewish families being separated, how he tried to cling on to his mother's hand, and how she was taken from him.
The film then focuses on the horrors that Roman endured at Auschwitz. Roman tells how he was forced to sleep on wooden bunks with no blankets or pillows, how he was barely given any food, and how he had to work long hours in extreme weather conditions. He tells how he was beaten, tortured, and how he saw countless people around him die from starvation, disease, or being murdered. He recounts how he survived the gas chambers and how he was saved by a stroke of luck when he was picked to do some work outside the camp.
As the film progresses, Roman talks about his experience being used in medical experiments on his own body, the help he received from a fellow inmate, and the support he got from an unlikely source. He tells about how he kept himself alive by clinging onto hope, and by endlessly dreaming about being reunited with his family.
The film also focuses on the psychological trauma that Roman and other survivors of the Holocaust endured. Roman talks about his guilt of being one of the lucky ones to survive; how he felt lost and hopeless after the war ended, and how he eventually made his way to America. He talks about how he tried to cope with the trauma through his passion for theater, writing, and activism. He explains how he became a voice for the memory of those who didn't make it, and the need for tolerance, equality, and human rights.
Throughout the film, Roman's story is interwoven with archive footage from the era, photographs, and artwork. The film also includes interviews with various Holocaust scholars, historians, and activists. They give context to Roman's story, add depth to the harrowing scenes he describes, and explain the historical significance of the events that happened in Auschwitz.
Prisoner Number A26188: Surviving Auschwitz is a heart-wrenching and poignant documentary that provides a first-hand account of what happened in one of the most infamous Nazi concentration camps. The film is a testament to the resilience of human spirit, and an important reminder of the catastrophic consequences of racism, bigotry, and hate. The film conveys a powerful message that hopefully wakes us up from our complacence and inspires us to stand up against all forms of genocide, discrimination, and hatred. Every person who watches this film leaves with a profound sense of responsibility to ensure that history never repeats itself.
