Introduction to The Tasters
The first scene of the film "The Tasters" is set in November 1943 in the East Prussian village of Gross-Partssch, where a young woman named Rosa Sauer flees her bombarded apartment in Berlin to move in with her in-laws. Her husband, a German soldier, fights in Ukraine. The village is located near the "Wolf’s Lair," the military headquarters of Adolf Hitler’s Eastern Front.
The Story Unfolds
Rosa soon finds herself among a group of women who are forcibly recruited by the SS to serve as food tasters for Hitler. These women are tasked with tasting the Nazi leader’s meals to ensure they are not poisoned. Despite the abundance of food, the women are terrified of their role, knowing that Hitler has many enemies and that their meals could be deadly.
A Glimpse into the Film
The film, directed by Italian filmmaker Silvio Soldini, is based on Rosella Postorino’s bestselling novel "Le Assaggiatrici." The story focuses on the experiences of Rosa and her fellow food tasters, including her secret relationship with SS Lieutenant Ziegler and her friendship with a shy woman named Elfriede. The film explores the tension and fear that the women face daily, all while navigating the complexities of their situation.
Historical Inspiration
Postorino’s novel was inspired by the testimony of Margot Wölk, a woman who was part of a group of 15 young women who tasted Hitler’s food for about two and a half years starting in 1942. Wölk’s story, which she shared publicly for the first time in 2012 at the age of 95, reveals the daily routine of the food tasters and their constant fear of poisoning.
Questioning Historical Accuracy
However, some historians have questioned the accuracy of Wölk’s story. Sven-Felix Kellerhoff pointed out that Hitler had digestive problems and often ate special meals prepared by a nutritionist in a separate kitchen, making it unlikely that the food would have been transported outside of this area to be tasted by the women. Felix Bohr, in his book about the organization of the Wolf’s Lair, also notes that there is no historical evidence to confirm Wölk’s claims.
The Film’s Relevance
Despite potential historical inaccuracies, the film’s director, Silvio Soldini, believes that the story remains relevant today. The film represents the political violence and fear that people experience, even in the face of privilege and abundance. The story of the food tasters serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the ways in which individuals can become caught up in systems of violence and oppression.
Historical Context
The film also touches on the various attempts to assassinate Hitler, including the Operation Valkyrie, in which a group of Wehrmacht officers tried to kill the Nazi leader in the Wolf’s Lair. Hitler’s survival of this attempt was seen by him as a sign of providence, confirming his mission to continue pursuing his goals.
Conclusion
The story of the food tasters, as told in the film and inspired by Margot Wölk’s testimony, offers a unique perspective on the experiences of women during World War II. While the historical accuracy of the story may be disputed, its themes of fear, survival, and the human cost of war remain powerful and relevant today.
