Claes Bang Plays Nazi Masseur Felix Kersten at Locarno's 'I Is Another

The Locarno Film Festival opened with the premiere of Felix Randau’s drama “I Is Another,” starring Danish actor Claes Bang as Felix Kersten, the real‑life physical therapist to SS leader Heinrich Himmler. The film follows an imagined encounter between Kersten and an investigative journalist on a train to Oslo, intercut with flashbacks that explore Kersten’s controversial claims of using his influence to save thousands of Jews and Dutch citizens during World War II, claims that have since been widely disputed.

Bang describes the role as a study of a man seeking validation and fame, noting that Kersten’s self‑portrayal as a humanitarian was tied to his pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize. The production, featuring Valerie Pachner as the journalist, also highlights the moral ambiguity of humanizing a figure linked to the Nazi regime. The film’s debut has drawn attention for its provocative subject matter and for bringing a new perspective on a little‑known historical figure.