When 6 is 9 Productions – The Red Orchestra (2004)

The Red Orchestra was a resistance group that fought against the Third Reich within Germany from 1933 to 1942. The Gestapo labeled them as Communists and traitors for their efforts to put an end to Hitler, a theory that was upheld by Allied Secret Services until recently. Historians now officially recognize their work as that of one of the largest and most efficient Nazi resistance groups.

The resistance fighters held a variety of political and religious beliefs. Forty percent of the members were women. Stopping the Third Reich was the common goal. Using a pioneering animation technique, this film tells their story. It also shows how easily information planted by secret service agents can become part of official history writing.

It is built from interviews with survivors of the group, their families and historians. Among them is the director’s father, Helmut Roloff who died in 2001. He was their last surviving member.

Never before seen archive material shot by Nazis and private citizens illustrates further references made by those interviewed. Together, these techniques open a window into the last century’s darkest moment that brought the Red Orchestra into existence.Approaching the subject from as private point of view, the film gives an example how people are capable of free will at all times and under any circumstance.