Sönje Storm ignores the Nazi horror in her great-grandfather's nature photographs

In Germany, Jürgen Mahrt was a self-taught naturalist and photographer who amassed a significant archive of photographs of the rich biodiversity around Elsdorf, Schleswig-Holstein from 1914 until his death in 1940. Mahrt's work focused primarily on the flora and fauna of the local area, featuring many of the lost species of butterfly and showcasing his unique artistic vision by colorizing his black-and-white photos with fine brushes. Despite the disturbing political climate and the rise of Nazism during his lifetime, Mahrt seemed to maintain a singular focus on nature, often avoiding any overt commentary on human subjects in his photographic work. Sönje Storm's documentary largely explores the seeming disconnect between Mahrt's naturalist pursuits and the historical events surrounding him. Her film captures the contrasts inherent in his life, particularly how his passion for nature coexisted with the disturbing backdrop of war and rising fascism. While Mahrt's work was interrupted by his military service during World War I, he continued to document the beauty of his environment until his passing in 1940, suggesting a complex relationship with the socio-political issues of his time. The documentary hints at a deeper irony, questioning whether Mahrt was guilty of a deliberate ignoring of the political horrors of Nazism or whether he simply found the beauty of the natural world to be of utmost importance. Storm touches briefly upon an incident where Mahrt unintentionally photographed Hitler's country house but does not dwell on its implications, leaving viewers to contemplate the broader significance of Mahrt's artistic focus amid such turmoil. In the end, the film invites discussion about the role of artists in times of political strife, exploring whether Mahrt's singular devotion to naturalism was an act of escapism or a profound statement on the values he held dear. Thus, Storm’s documentary serves as both a tribute to a remarkable individual and a meditation on how art interacts with history.