Plot

Martin, a theater director obsessed with his career, is putting on a production of Peter Weiss's The Investigation. He takes his cast and assistant on a research trip to Auschwitz. But in addition to the big issue of the Holocaust, they all pursue their own private agendas. When the Polish Jew Goska, a B-movie star, gets into the mix, the situation escalates. A very black comedy.—Cornelius Schwalm

Hotel Auschwitz picks apart a theater troupe, which fails a test of character when faced with what had once been the largest extermination camp in the world. It is a biting comedy about careerism, desire, dependency, and the role of the political - or the lack thereof - in private life. With dark humor and stifling intimacy, the film tells a mercilessly revealing story about the mechanisms of power in the culture industry and the impossibility of dealing appropriately with the German role in the Holocaust. The idea, concept, and screenplay are all by Cornelius Schwalm, who also acts in the film. Assistance in writing the screenplay was provided by Christiane Lilge. The fictional story was enriched by the actual experiences of the cast, who also developed large sections of the dialogue. People and events in Auschwitz were also integrated in documentary fashion into the work. The film was produced without institutional support by Katharina Bellena (CollaboratorsFilms) and Cornelius Schwalm (MariaKron). Every aspect of it was supported by an idealistic, enthusiastic team.—Cornelius Schwalm

Martin, a theater director obsessed with his career, is putting on a production of Peter Weiss's The Investigation. He takes his cast and assistant on a research trip to Auschwitz. But in addition to the big issue of the Holocaust, they all pursue their own private agendas. When the Polish Jew Goska, a B-movie star, gets into the mix, the situation escalates.

Theatre director Martin wants to put The Investigation by Peter Weiss on stage, a piece about the Holocaust. In order to live up to the big topic he goes on a trip to Auschwitz with his ensemble. Besides he wants to take the opportunity to get closer to his favourite actress. Sabine, however has different plans. When Goska, a Polish Jew joins the group, the situation gets out of hand.