Lunch with Hitler: A SAFTA-nominated film that will give you the chills
Although Lunch with Hitler – a South African production – was shot entirely in German, it’s 100% South African when it comes to the writing, filmmaking, set and the cast. The gripping 8-minute film has an international look and feel. It was written and directed by Joburg-based filmmaker, Christopher Grant Harvey. His previous film, Tears in the Rain, was a critically acclaimed and well received stylistic homage to the 1982 Ridley Scott classic, Blade Runner.
What is Lunch with Hitler about?
Lunch with Hitler was inspired by accounts of the young women who were compelled into service as taste testers for Adolf Hitler during World War II. This was after rumours had started doing the rounds that the Allies were planning to poison Hitler. So, in 1942, fifteen women were chosen to taste his food at the Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia. This was to confirm that it was safe. Then, members of the SS transported it to the main headquarters for Hitler and his entourage to indulge in.
Christopher was inspired to create the film when he came across the story in an online piece based on a German woman, Margot Wölk. It was on her 95th birthday in 2012 that she recounted her experience of being one of Hitler’s tasters during the war. “The story struck a chord with me and I immediately started work on building a story around the article. It took several years for the film to get off the ground and finally be released, but despite the prolonged development period, the story’s poignancy never left my mind,” says Christopher. In fact, he spent three years contemplating the concept before putting pen to paper. Finally, when he was certain of financing, the script writing process took only a week.
More about the cast and the set
The talented cast adds to the intensity of the film. “I was very fortunate to have gathered such an incredible cast for the film,” says Christopher. “I am very grateful that each one brought their very best to the table.” With such a gripping film, he had to find actors who could capture their audience. He looked for a range of emotions with the goal of finding the nuance in the performances. He had worked with Deborah Lettner years before and even though he knew she had the resolve and grace and would be able to hold the trio of tasters together onscreen, she still underwent the videotaped casting sessions. He was introduced to Briony Horwitz by casting director, Thorsten Wedekind. Horwitz brought a command and majesty to her performance as Karen. Mila Guy played Hanna and hers was a keystone performance. In fact, she is one of those actors who has a deep well to draw from. In this physically and emotionally draining role, her crying made it as authentic as can be. “I feel bad because we made her cry and cry for hours on end, but she never missed a beat,” Christopher says.
While Hitler’s character is seen for only a few seconds, Andre Odendaal’s part in cementing the omnipresent threat that the women faced, was crucial and well executed.
The whole film was shot on location at Pretoria Boys High School.
Christopher says he is usually slow to get the filmmaking process started (with his last film – Tears in the Rain – having been released in 2017). “I need to be sure the stories I choose to tell are worth watching for the audience and that I have a sufficient emotional investment in them to dedicate years of my life to them.” Considering the emotions felt when watching Lunch with Hitler, we’d say his time and effort was well worth it.
The film has been screened at the Cleveland International Film Festival 2023 and Dances With Films in Los Angeles. Christopher is also hopeful that more festivals will be announced soon. In addition, Lunch with Hitler has just been nominated for a SAFTA (South African Film and Television Awards).
Watch Lunch with Hitler here.
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