On September 26, 2025, audiences will have the chance to see a powerful new film that tells one of the most remarkable true stories to emerge from the Holocaust. Bau: Artist at War, directed by Sean McNamara and starring Emile Hirsch, is based on the memoir of Holocaust survivor Joseph Bau.
The Story of Joseph Bau
Joseph Bau was a Polish Jewish artist, caricaturist, and animator whose creativity became his lifeline. Imprisoned in the Plaszów concentration camp during World War II, Bau used his artistic skill to forge documents, create illustrations, and even help save lives.
His story is not only about survival but also about love. Against the backdrop of terror, Bau and his beloved Rebecca Tennenbaum secretly married inside the camp, a defiant act of hope and faith in a world that sought to extinguish both.
Later, both were transferred to Schindler’s factory, where Oskar Schindler’s protection gave them another chance at survival. After the war, Joseph and Rebecca emigrated to Israel, where Joseph became a noted animator and opened a small Tel Aviv studio that became known as a museum of optimism.
A Trailer Moment That Stopped Me
The trailer captures Bau’s stubborn humanity in the face of evil. One line stands out and lingers long after the music fades. As Joseph and Rebecca cling to one another and to hope, the trailer reminds us what could never be taken from them.
"There’s some things that they can’t take from us. Laughter. Joy."
— Bau: Artist at War trailer
That short line is the heart of the film. It says that even when everything is stripped away, the human spirit can still hold light and life.
Why This Film Matters Now
At a time when antisemitism is out of control and Holocaust denial spreads unchecked, Bau: Artist at War comes as both a reminder and a warning. This is more than a period drama; it is testimony. It refuses to let lies rewrite history.
For Christians who love Israel and the Jewish people, Joseph Bau’s story echos the call to bear witness, to remember our vow to the Jewish people to "Never forget." His courage and love remind us that even in the darkest night God plants seeds of life and light.
A Timely Release
Opening nationwide on September 26, the film promises not only to move audiences emotionally but also to challenge us spiritually. It is a story of courage, resistance, creativity, and unshakable love, and it could not come at a more important moment.
