The Cremator

Plot

Czech Karel Kopfrkingl enjoys his job at a crematorium in the late 1930s. He likes reading the Tibetan book of the dead, and espouses the view that cremation relieves earthly suffering. At a reception, he meets Reineke, with whom he fought for Austria in the first World War. Reineke convinces Kopfrkingl to emphasize his supposedly German heritage, including sending his timid son to the German school. Reineke then suggests that Kopfrkingl's half-Jewish wife is holding back his advancement in his job.

Why watch

"The Cremator" is a darkly comedic exploration of identity and morality set against the backdrop of a looming totalitarian regime, where the absurdity of life and death intertwines in a chilling narrative. With its surreal visuals and unsettling humor, this film invites viewers to confront the complexities of existence and the human psyche.

Talking points

• the ethics of death and cremation
• the absurdity of identity in a totalitarian regime
• the intersection of humor and horror
• the impact of war on personal identity

Cultural context

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