Return from the Other Planet

North American Premiere

Winner of the Best Documentary Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival, Assaf Lapid’s (Promised Lands, MJFF 2022) Return from the Other Planet is an enthralling film that delves into the life of an author who initially wrote using a pseudonym, only to later unveil his true and complex identity. In 1945, following his liberation from Auschwitz, Yechiel De-Nur embarked on a literary journey, releasing his works under the pen name "Ka-Tzetnik 135633," meaning "the man from the camps." His books garnered immense international popularity, selling millions of copies, were translated into 32 languages, and today he is considered “Israel’s Elie Wiesel." However, it wasn't until the 1961 trial of Adolf Eichmann that his concealed identity came to light. During this trial, he provided his testimony as a witness, mirroring the themes present in his books, wherein he vividly portrayed Auschwitz as "another planet," a place outside of human judgment. As a means of coping with his traumas, he turned to LSD therapy, leading to the creation of a transformative story titled "I Am an SS Man," an account of his harrowing Holocaust experiences that ultimately reshaped everything.

Accompanying the film premiere is a discussion with director Assaf Lapid. To view the conversation please click here.