'The Tattooist of Auschwitz': Inside the true story of Holocaust survivor Lale Sokolov
OSWIECIM, POLAND: Tali Shalom Ezer has chosen Heather Morris' acclaimed novel 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' for a screen adaptation.
Sharing the same name, the upcoming historical drama series will showcase the life of Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War II.
'The Irishman' (2019) fame Harvey Keitel has been cast in the lead to portray the Holocaust survivor, accompanied by Jonah Hauer-King to play the younger Sokolov.
Ahead of the release of the series, take a look at the true story of Lale Sokolov that inspired Heather Morris to pen a novel and Tali Shalom Ezer to adapt it into a six-episodic series.
Who was Lale Sokolov?
As per The Guardian, Lale Sokolov was a Jewish businessman born and raised in Krompachy.
During the early months of World War II, when he learned that the Jews in Krompachy were to be rounded up in camps, he willingly surrendered himself to the local authorities as a young and healthy male more useful for work rather than his ageing parents.
Sacrificing himself for the safety of his parents, in 1942, he was deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland.
How did Lale Sokolov survive the holocaust?
Upon his arrival at the death camp, he was tattooed with the number 32407. He was initially given the task of constructing housing blocks for the expanding camp.
However, he soon became ill with typhoid. According to BBC, French academic named Pepan took care of him and later set him to work as his assistant.
Eventually, he was made the main tattooist where his job was to tattoo identification numbers on fellow prisoners’ arms. His job came with various perks.
He was provided with extra ration and was allowed to sleep in a single room. He was even granted with some free time unlike other prisoners. He was also involved in trading contrabands with inmates and SS officials. In the camp, he also met and fell in love with Gita.
Two days prior to the Russian army's approach to Auschwitz, Lale was transferred to Mauthausen camp. Later, he fled, crossing the Danube amidst German and Russian gunfire, and returned to Slovakia.
After the war, he found Gita and reunited with her in her hometown. They got married in October 1945 and established a silk fabric business in Bratislava.
However, when the communists nationalised all private business, his factory was confiscated and he was imprisoned. With luck by his side, he was set free through his judicial contacts on a condition that they would have to leave Slovakia immediately.
The couple then settled in Australia and opened a factory of women clothing in Melbourne. They were blessed with a son named Gary in 1961.
How did Lale Sokolov die?
Sokolov died in 2006 at the age of 90. He spent his life in a suburb of Melbourne with his wife Gita until her death in 2003.
Sokolov was initially hesitant to share his story, fearing that he would be viewed as a Nazi collaborator. However, it was after Gita's death that he unburdened himself, telling the tale of epic survival and love.
Heather Morris spent three years recording his tale until he died in 2006 due to age related issues. He is survived by his son, Gary.
When and where to watch 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz'?
Lale Sokolov's extra-ordinary tale is coming to life in 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz'. The series directed by Tali Shalom Ezer will consists of six episodes.
It will air on Peacock on May 2, 2024. In UK, it will broadcast on Sky Atlantic on the same day.
'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' trailer
