Felix Randau Reveals Why Claes Bang Was Perfect For The Role Of Himmler’s Shady Masseur In ‘I Is Another’: “If Claes Tells You A Lie, You Want To Believe Him”

German filmmaker Felix Randau presents his latest work, I Is Another, at the Locarno Film Festival’s Piazza Grande, offering a nuanced exploration of Felix Kersten, the enigmatic massage therapist to Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler during World War II. The film stars Claes Bang as Kersten and brings to the fore longstanding debates over the therapist’s wartime role and legacy.

Kersten, a real historical figure, has been credited with humanitarian interventions that allegedly saved thousands of lives, including preventing the mass deportation of Dutch citizens and facilitating the release of tens of thousands of Jewish concentration camp prisoners. His memoirs and subsequent recognition, such as the Netherlands’ Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau and multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations during the 1950s, have cemented his place in postwar narratives of resistance and rescue.

However, Randau’s film challenges the simplicity of these accolades by presenting a layered, ambiguous portrait of Kersten. The narrative unfolds through a fictionalized encounter aboard a train bound for Oslo, where an investigative journalist confronts Kersten with evidence that calls his self-portrayal into question. Through this tense dialogue and interspersed flashbacks depicting Kersten’s interactions with Himmler, the film probes themes of truth, deception, and moral ambiguity.

The director’s interest in Kersten was sparked by an initial collaboration proposal on a television series in Paris, which portrayed Kersten as a straightforward hero. Randau’s subsequent archival research in Germany uncovered documents, including Kersten’s SS membership card, suggesting a more complicated, if not contradictory, character. These findings led to the withdrawal of the French producers from the project, prompting Randau to reimagine the story as a psychological drama rather than a traditional biopic.

Claes Bang’s casting was central to the film’s conception. Randau was drawn to Bang’s ability to embody complex figures who inhabit moral gray zones. Bang’s proficiency in German added further authenticity, contributing to a performance that captivates and unsettles, compelling audiences to question the reliability of the character’s narrative. Valerie Pachner co-stars as the determined journalist, bringing her own cinematic experience to the investigation of historical truth.

Portraying Heinrich Himmler presented unique challenges. Randau notes that many actors declined the role due to discomfort with humanizing a notorious Nazi figure. The film deliberately eschews caricature, opting instead to depict Himmler’s contradictions—his apparent shyness and insecurity contrasted with his brutal actions. This approach aligns with Randau’s broader intent to confront uncomfortable truths about complicity and identity within the Nazi regime.

The film’s production was supported by a collaboration between Ostlicht Filmproduktion, Wega Film, and broadcasters including MDR, arte, and BR. Randau emphasizes that while Kersten may have influenced Himmler to release some prisoners, the scale and motivations behind these acts remain subject to scrutiny. The director suggests that Kersten’s interventions were driven by self-preservation and opportunism rather than altruism.

I Is Another thus offers a critical reinterpretation of a figure often cast as a wartime hero, inviting viewers to reconsider historical narratives that may oversimplify complex human behavior. By blending fact with imaginative inquiry, the film reflects broader challenges in representing history, memory, and morality.

As the film debuts at Locarno, it contributes to ongoing conversations about how cinema can engage with difficult pasts without resorting to mythmaking or denial. Randau’s work underscores the importance of examining the shadows between heroism and complicity, reminding audiences that history often defies clear categorization.

Details regarding the film’s wider release remain limited, but its premiere at a prestigious international festival signals a commitment to confronting controversial subjects through thoughtful storytelling and rigorous artistic inquiry.