The Godfather of Sarin

Synopsis

The poison then known as Substance 146 was considered an effective insecticide when first developed by the brilliant Otto Ambros and other German scientists in 1938. A few drops were quickly revealed to be capable of unleashing devastating effects on the human nervous system, too, though — an opportunity for extermination of a different kind. The Godfather of Sarin unfolds the complex story of I.G. Farben, the company behind Sarin, offering viewers a front seat as Ambros navigates the transition from world-class chemist to Hitler’s chief chemical weapons engineer. Through Ambros, viewers will travel from the laboratories of the German Reich to post-World War II America, when the specter of the Cold War was looming over every-day life. It is a story that reveals dark truths about the intimate relationships of enemies, and the fallout of compromised economic and geopolitical reasoning, all from a long-gone era that still burdens us in surprising ways today.

About the Director

Jonathan Gruber has been directing, writing, and producing award-winning documentary films for more than 20 years. With his company, Black Eye Productions, he has helped celebrate long overlooked individuals, inform generations, build brands, facilitate social movements, and, of course, entertain. His documentaries are immersive viewing experiences, and include Miriam Beerman: Expressing the Chaos, Follow Me, Life Is a Banquet, Jewish Soldiers in Blue & Gray, STU, and Pola’s March. He was also the Co-Creator and Executive Producer of the MSNBC series, The Story of Cool. Jonathan specializes in building trust with his interview subjects, gently taking them on a storytelling journey and ultimately creating an environment that allows for honesty and vulnerability. Whether a 90-minute documentary film, a two-minute viral video, or a 30-second advertisement, Jonathan looks at all projects as stories worth remembering.

Artist’s Statement

When I came across the story of I.G. Farben, the infamous German corporate behemoth, I was astounded that its story had not yet appeared in English-language film. Some of the biggest companies in the world had literally, made a killing off of slave labor in World War II, and the so-called justice was minimal compared to the outsized crimes of its executives. About 75 years since the Nuremburg Trials, the evil and its aftermath still impact me.

The Godfather of Sarin has been along-time passion project of mine, and I am confident that the twists and turns of the story will resonate with viewers around the globe. It promises to contribute substantially to the public’s knowledge and appreciation of a little-known piece of 20th-century history and its relevance in our modern world.