»For the documentary, I set out on a search for traces, with Martin Pollack’s book ›Der Tote im Bunker‹ in my hand, which I translated into Slovak. This reportage resonated strongly in Slovakia. It tells the family history of Gerhard Bast, born in 1911, SS-Sturmbannführer, member of the Gestapo, and biological father of Martin Pollack. Two people, two very different lives: one shaped by violence and war, the other that of a passionate advocate for democracy and an open society.

Due to health reasons, Martin Pollack was no longer able to travel. Therefore, together with a camera crew, I set off myself, from central Slovakia to the bunker at the Brenner Pass. An unforgettable European journey through the topography of terror and memory.«

Michal Hvorecký

A documentary by Jaro Vojtek, executive produced by Roman Pivovarník. (Slovakia, 2024, 60 min)

The documentary is in German and Slovak with English subtitles.

With an introduction by the author Michal Hvorecký

Refreshments will be served afterwards

Please note: Some content may be disturbing! Registration required.

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Martin Pollack, born in 1944 in Bad Hall/Upper Austria, lived in Vienna and southern Burgenland. He studied Slavic Studies and East European History, and worked as a translator of Polish literature, as journalist, and author. From 1987 to 1998 he was a correspondent for the German news magazine Der Spiegel in Vienna and Warsaw. Afterwards, he worked as a freelance author and translator. Among his best‑known books are »Der Tote im Bunker. Bericht über meinen Vater« (2004, The Dead Man in the Bunker. Report on My Father), »Wer hat die Stanislaws erschossen? Reportagen« (2008, Who Shot the Stanislaws? Reportages), »Kaiser von Amerika. Die große Flucht aus Galizien« (2010, Emperor of America. The Great Flight from Galicia), »Kontaminierte Landschaften« (2014, Contaminated Landscapes), and »Topografie der Erinnerung« (2016, Topography of Remambrance). His books have made a significant contribution to bringing suppressed chapters of European history to light. Pollack received numerous awards, including the Austrian State Prize for Literary Translation (2003), the Honorary Award of the Austrian Book Trade for Tolerance in Thought and Action (2007), the Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding (2011), the Austrian State Prize for Cultural Journalism (2018), and the City of Vienna Recognition Prize for Journalism (2024).

Michal Hvorecký, born in 1976 in Bratislava, where he lives and works, regularly contributes to the FAZ, Die Zeit, and many other magazines. In his home country, he is engaged in defending press freedom and opposing anti-democratic developments. His most recent works published by Tropen include »Tod auf der Donau« (2012, Death on the Danube), »Troll« (2018), and »Tahiti Utopia« (2021). On 16 March Tropen will release his first non‑fiction book: »Dissident« (2026).