Himmler’s ‘anti-Nazi’ masseur: exposing the lies and fantasies of the SS chief’s ‘magic Buddha’
A new film titled 'I Is Another' examines the life of Felix Kersten, the personal masseur to Nazi SS chief Heinrich Himmler. The movie challenges the historical narrative that Kersten was a hero who saved lives, instead portraying him as a narcissist prone to myth-making.
Why it matters
It highlights the ongoing historical re-evaluation of figures associated with the Nazi regime and the power of cinema to shape public perception of historical events.
Martin Müller as Heinrich Himmler (left) and Claes Bang as Felix Kersten in I Is Another. Photograph: Anke Neugebauer/©Anke Neugebauer / Ostlicht Filmproduktion GmbH / Wega Film Martin Müller as Heinrich Himmler (left) and Claes Bang as Felix Kersten in I Is Another. Photograph: Anke Neugebauer/©Anke Neugebauer / Ostlicht Filmproduktion GmbH / Wega Film Movies Himmler’s ‘anti-Nazi’ masseur: Claes Bang stars as SS chief’s ‘magic Buddha’ Felix Kersten, the personal therapist of Hitler’s principal enforcer, claimed to have saved countless lives from the Holocaust. A new feature film exposes him as a narcissist prone to myth-making
Prefer the Guardian on Google F ive years ago, German writer-director Felix Randau was approached by French producers who wanted him to make a miniseries about Felix Kersten, the former massage therapist to Nazi SS head Heinrich Himmler.
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