Christian Friedel, a German actor, has been making waves in the film industry with his portrayal of characters deeply rooted in German history. His most recent role as Auschwitz commander Rudolf Höss in Jonathan Glazer’s Holocaust drama, The Zone of Interest, has earned him critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination.

In the film, Friedel’s character, Rudolf Höss, is depicted as a ‘boring bureaucrat’ who, alongside his wife Hedwig, built a villa next to the death camp where they lived with their children. This portrayal of a notorious figure in history has sparked interest and discussion among audiences and critics alike.

Prior to his role in The Zone of Interest, Friedel gained recognition for his performance as anti-Nazi resistance fighter Georg Elser in 13 Minutes, a film that delves into Elser’s attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler before the outbreak of World War II. Additionally, Friedel has portrayed a young Jewish refugee hiding from the Nazis in Closed Season and a piano teacher in The White Ribbon, a film set before World War I that explores the roots of National Socialism.

Reflecting on his diverse roles, Friedel acknowledges the thematic connection between The White Ribbon and The Zone of Interest, emphasizing the exploration of how the children in the former film could evolve into the perpetrators depicted in the latter.

Born in Magdeburg and raised in former East Germany, Friedel’s upbringing parallels that of his Zone of Interest co-star, Sandra Hüller. Both actors honed their craft in German theater before transitioning to the screen. While Friedel’s theater performances often lean towards classic works, his on-screen career has led him to embody characters at ‘the most extreme poles’ of German history, from resistance fighters to individuals intertwined with the horrors of the Nazi regime.

Despite portraying characters with such contrasting backgrounds, Friedel strives to illuminate the humanity within each of them, including his portrayal of Rudolf Höss. His dedication to bringing depth and nuance to his roles has solidified his reputation as a versatile and talented actor, capturing the complexities of historical figures and their narratives.