Kapò

Italy/France (1959): Drama

This French/Italian concentration camp drama stars Susan Strasberg, who several years earlier had originated the title role in the Broadway production The Diary of Anne Frank. Here, Ms. Strasberg is once again a European Jewish teenager victimized by the Nazis. Interred in a concentration camp, Strasberg is befriended by the camp's kindly doctor, who helps her hide her true identity and work as a camp guard, or "kapo." Unfortunately, Strasberg's new found power goes to her head, and her abuse of that power is very nearly on the same level as the Nazis. Brought down to earth by the death of a close friend, Strasberg spearheads an escape attempt, sacrificing her own life in the process.

Nominated for a best foreign picture Oscar^® for 1960, Kapò nonetheless did not find an American distributor until 1964. Co-written and directed by Gillo Pontecorvo. (Cineriz-Francinex-Vides Cinematografica-Zebra/Lionex) (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)

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1 nomination