The Counterfeiters (Germany/Austria, 2008) April 15, 2008

'The Counterfeiters' (Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Film) examines the moral plight of a unique group of prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp. It tells the true story of Salomon Sorowitsch, a master counterfeiter who is arrested for forgery and sent to prison before World War II. During the War, Salomon is recruited to participate in Operation Bernhard. This was an effort put forth by the Nazis to produce counterfeit British Pounds and American Dollars in order to weaken the Allies' economies. Unlike the other prisoners in the concentration camp, Salomon and his compatriots are placed within a "golden cage" where they can sleep on soft beds and enjoy the pleasures of smoking and ping-pong. Salomon initially tries to embrace these comforts, but he cannot silence his conscience. The once shameless crook now faces a moral dilemma. He can either save himself and his compatriots by cooperating with the Nazis or sabotage their plans out of principle and risk certain death.