New Film 'Block 10' Exposes Nazi Sterilisation Experiments in Auschwitz
A historical feature film depicts the harrowing reality of Nazi medical experiments on women.
1Uncovering a Dark Chapter
The film Block 10 brings to light the horrific medical experiments conducted by SS gynecologist Carl Clauberg in Auschwitz. Starting in 1943, hundreds of Jewish women were held in a sealed building to test mass sterilization methods. This project remained largely unknown to the public until recent historical research surfaced.
2Moral Conflicts of Collaboration
The narrative follows Maximilian Samuel, a Jewish doctor forced by the SS to assist in mutilating fellow prisoners. Threatened with his daughter's life, he faces an impossible moral dilemma within the camp. Producer Alice Brauner emphasizes the grey zone of survival, refusing to judge those trapped in such extreme circumstances.
3Resistance Through Human Dignity
Despite the brutal conditions, the women in Block 10 found strength through mutual support, singing, and reciting poetry. The film highlights the resistance of figures like Adélaïde Hautval, a French prisoner doctor who refused to participate in the sterilizations. Her actions earned her the title of Righteous Among the Nations later.
4Authenticity in Film Production
Filming began in September 2025 at Berlin's CCC studios, utilizing 3D graphics to reconstruct the original block. The production team incorporated virtual reality footage provided by the Auschwitz memorial for exterior shots. Every prisoner number and character portrayed in the screenplay is based on verified witness statements and historical trial records.
5Emotional Burden on Set
To maintain authenticity, actresses shaved their heads on camera and worked with an intimacy coordinator. The cast, recruited from the victims' countries of origin, reported feeling as if they were truly in Auschwitz. Actors playing perpetrators struggled with the intensity of the scenes, requiring multiple takes to perform violent acts.
6A Response to Modern Antisemitism
Alice Brauner links the film's urgency to the rise in antisemitism following October 7, 2023. Reporting centers in Germany recorded approximately 8,700 antisemitic incidents in 2025, a significant increase from previous years. Brauner views the film as a necessary continuation of her parents' lifelong commitment to preserving the memory of the Shoah.
7Cinematic Choices and Impact
The film intentionally avoids musical scores to prevent emotional manipulation, using only a Jewish prayer during the end credits. Violence is depicted soberly, focusing on the victims' dignity rather than graphic spectacle. Following its premiere in Munich, the film received prolonged applause and an audience award at the Ludwigshafen film festival.
8Educational Outreach and Legacy
Opening on November 5 in German cinemas, the film is accompanied by a book exploring the historical background. Brauner actively promotes school screenings to engage younger generations in the culture of remembrance. She encourages viewers to watch the film collectively to foster dialogue and ensure these historical atrocities are never forgotten.