I have always watched movies about WWII and the Holocaust. I love getting the different perspectives from different producers, and seeing how they can continue to keep this part of history in our memory through these movies. To list a few if you haven't seen many there's, "Schindler's List," "The Boy In The Striped Pajamas," "The Pianist," and "Life Is Beautiful," were all great movies that highlighted the effects the Holocaust had on different ethnic groups.

"The Photographer of Mauthausen" specifically focuses on the Spaniards that were thrown into concentration camps. This one takes place at Mauthausen. A little bit of background on Mauthausen, similar to Auschwitz, right next to Mauthausen was Gusen. These camps had the highest morality and the harshest punishments. As the war came to an end, all of the prisoners from the camps that were being evacuated were sent to Mauthausen, this, of course, led to even more famine, disease, and lack of space. After the camp was liberated, at least 90,000 died because they were in such bad condition when they were found.

Many people don't realize that although the majority, Jews were not the only ones persecuted. The LGBTQ community, the Romani Gypsies, twins, people with disabilities (physical or mental) including Germans, Jehovah's Witness, military/political leaders, Soviets POW's, the Spanish after Spain was conquered, and the list goes on.

The movie is in Spanish, but do not let that hinder you! There are English subtitles and they're really easy to follow. “Schindler's List" has always been one of my favorites but “The Photographers of Mauthausen" definitely just took its place. With so many Holocaust movies, it can be difficult to feel like they aren't being redundant, this movie brought new information, new photographs, and an untold story. This not only focuses on the Spanish in this camp but also the lack of empathy from the Nazi's and how that affected their children. It also emphasizes how something as simple as some rolls of negatives could not only bring hope but also be something worth dying for.

This film is a reminder to be grateful and to never forget what had happened. If we choose to ignore this piece of history and this moment in time, it is more likely to happen again. That's why I find these movies so important, they're reminders to prevent something like this occurring again. If we don't educate ourselves or each other, then we will sadly repeat history and what once was forgotten, will be all too real.

#NeverForget