Rethinking Holocaust Representation: Reflections on Rex Bloomstein's KZ

In 2005, film-maker Rex Bloomstein released KZ, which aimed to find a new way to represent the Holocaust for future generations who face a world with no living survivors, yet a mediated world oversaturated with images of global atrocity. Despite much critical acclaim, KZ received little academic attention. Ten years later, this article provides a reflective analysis of the film, exploring the emergent themes, and their criminological significance. Focus is given to bystanders of atrocity who bear witness to the past. The moral dilemmas of Holocaust representation, such as its commodification for both entertainment and tourism, are additionally discussed.