by “We went to Auschwitz to be there and experience it,” he said during a Q&A after the screening of “Avenue of the Giants” at the inaugural Jackson Hole International Film Festival over the weekend. Taylor said, “The way I write scripts has completely changed.” Since filming at the actual Auschwitz site is prohibited, Taylor recreated Auschwitz on a film set. However, they were able to fire on Theresienstadt, one of the few Nazi concentration camps not specifically used for extermination. In fact, it has become relatively easier to hide the true nature of the camp from International Red Cross inspectors and the Danish government, says Theresienstadt’s history website. Heller and his family were interned there before being deported to Auschwitz. “We actually filmed in Theresienstadt, and it was very immersive. And it’s true that it was a camp, but 30,000 people were killed there, so it wasn’t a good place at all. ” Taylor said.”
The True Story Behind Avenue of the Giants
Herbert Heller, the real-life subject of the film, didn’t share his story publicly until 2004. Imagine carrying the burden of one of history’s most horrific events in silence for nearly 60 years. It was only after decades of hiding the truth from his own family that Heller decided it was time to speak — and what he shared changed everything.
Heller was interned at Theresienstadt, a concentration camp located in the present-day Czech Republic. From there, he and his family were deported to Auschwitz, the most infamous Nazi death camp. He was only 12 years old at the time.
At age 15, Heller managed to escape during the brutal Auschwitz Death March in 1945. His survival is nothing short of miraculous, and Avenue of the Giants brings that story to life through a mix of flashbacks and emotional present-day storytelling.
Filming on Real Holocaust Grounds: A Bold Decision by Finn Taylor
What truly sets Avenue of the Giants apart from other Holocaust dramas is Finn Taylor’s bold choice to film at the actual site of Theresienstadt, one of the few concentration camps that weren’t immediately destroyed after the war. While filming at Auschwitz itself is strictly prohibited, Taylor and his team were determined to create the most authentic setting possible.
“We actually filmed in Theresienstadt, and it was very immersive,” Taylor said during a Q&A at the Jackson Hole International Film Festival. “It was a camp. Thirty thousand people were killed there. So, it wasn’t a good place at all.”
Taylor didn’t stop there. To recreate the horror and hopelessness of Auschwitz, he built a full-scale set. From the railroad tracks to the infamous barracks, every detail was carefully crafted to mirror historical records. As someone passionate about film and storytelling, I can tell you — this level of commitment isn’t just impressive; it’s necessary.
Cast Spotlight: Stephen Lang & Elsie Fisher
The emotional weight of Avenue of the Giants rests largely on the shoulders of its two lead actors:
- Stephen Lang (Avatar) stars as Herbert Heller, bringing gravitas and emotional depth to the role.
- Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade) plays Abby, a troubled teenager who becomes Heller’s unlikely confidante.
Their chemistry is the emotional backbone of the film. Abby, though fictional, represents the many modern youth who still struggle with trauma, identity, and understanding history. Her connection with Heller creates a narrative bridge between past and present, showing that the wounds of the Holocaust still ripple through generations.
Honesty Without Excess: Why Taylor Didn’t Pull Punches
Holocaust dramas walk a delicate line. They must portray unimaginable horror without exploiting it. Finn Taylor, thankfully, understood this responsibility.
“Anyone who was at Auschwitz can tell you this is not something to be taken lightly,” he said. “It will affect you and live in your bones. I couldn’t pull punches in telling this story.”
Instead of flooding the screen with blood or gratuitous violence, Taylor chose a more grounded approach. The pain in Avenue of the Giants is emotional, psychological — and that makes it even more devastating. As a viewer and blogger, I can say that restraint like this often leaves a stronger impact.
The Power of Flashbacks and Human Connection
The storytelling technique used in the film — frequent flashbacks to Heller’s youth — is masterfully done. It’s not just about showing us what happened, but about how those events shaped a man who carried his trauma for 60 years.
Through his conversations with Abby, we learn about:
- Life inside the concentration camps
- The separation of families
- Starvation, fear, and daily dehumanization
- The infamous Death March and Heller’s harrowing escape
Each flashback adds weight to the present-day narrative, revealing how trauma doesn’t fade with time — it only changes form.
Behind the Scenes: Building Auschwitz from Scratch
Because filming at Auschwitz is forbidden (and understandably so), Taylor’s team built a replica from scratch. This included:
- Railroad tracks where deportation trains arrived
- Barracks and holding cells based on authentic documentation
- Production-designed gardens to mirror propaganda that tricked international inspectors
This is the kind of behind-the-scenes dedication I love spotlighting on my blog. Filmmaking isn’t just about acting and directing — it’s about world-building, especially when recreating history with such heavy implications.
Why Avenue of the Giants Matters Today
We live in a time when historical memory is increasingly politicized or outright denied. Films like Avenue of the Giants are more important than ever. They remind us that:
- History must be preserved truthfully
- Survivors’ voices need to be heard
- Trauma doesn’t expire with time
Whether you’re a history buff, a student, a teacher, or someone just trying to understand more about humanity, this film offers more than just a cinematic experience. It offers perspective — the kind that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
Where to Watch and Learn More
Avenue of the Giants is currently doing festival rounds, with wide release details expected soon. If you want to dig deeper into Herbert Heller’s story, his full interview is available on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s website. That’s where you can hear his testimony in his own words — raw, painful, and unforgettable.
And for more information about the film, visit the official Avenue of the Giants website.
Final Thoughts from a Film Blogger
As a 25-year-old who’s been writing about films for over half a decade, I can say this with confidence — Avenue of the Giants is not a film you watch and forget. It’s one that lingers, one that reshapes how you think about history, survival, and storytelling.
It’s also a reminder that filmmaking is a powerful medium for truth. When done with heart and respect, like Finn Taylor has done here, it has the power to educate, heal, and honor those whose stories were nearly lost to time.
Whether you’re into historical dramas or just want to watch something meaningful and transformative, put Avenue of the Giants on your radar. You won’t regret it.
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