And Along Come Tourists / Am Ende Kommen Touristen

Summary

Sven, a German conscientious objector, is sent to the Polish city Oswiecim “Aushwitz” where he is due to complete his civil service abroad at the International Youth Meeting Center. Sven is assigned to look after Krzeminski, a former concentration camp prisoner. As time goes by Sven begins to discover both Aushwitz and Oswiecim, develops compassion for Krzeminiski and falls in love with a Polish woman. Director Robert Thalheim has said, “In And Along Come Tourists I have attempted to use a fictional story as a means of giving an idea of some of the conflicts and contradictions of present day Oswiecim and how difficult it is to deal with the past. The heart of the film...is a look at the effects of the past on the everyday life of the people who live there.”