Bau: Artist at War is a 2025 American biographical romance drama film directed by Sean McNamara. The film stars Joseph and Rebecca Bau, whose real-life love story and wedding inside a Nazi concentration camp was immortalized in Schindler’s List.
Set during the Holocaust and its aftermath, the film follows artist and forger Joseph Bau as he uses his talents to help others escape death while finding love in the most hopeless of places. Years later, Joseph must testify against the Nazi officer who tortured him, reliving his painful past while honoring the love that helped him survive.
The film will be released in theaters in the U.S. and Canada on September 26, 2025, with a runtime of 130 minutes.
Bau: Artist at War Age Rating
Bau: Artist at War is rated PG-13 for strong violent content, thematic material, some language, partial nudity, and suggestive material by the MPAA. Here’s a spoiler-free breakdown of the film’s content to help parents decide if it’s suitable for younger viewers:
Violence & Peril
The film includes disturbing scenes related to the Holocaust, such as images of death camps, armed soldiers, forced labor, and executions. While some moments are implied or shown from a distance, the emotional weight is strong. Scenes of trauma, war-related violence, and flashbacks to torture are present.
Language
There are a few uses of strong and mild language throughout the film. The language reflects the characters’ desperation and emotional distress but is not constant or overly crude.
Mature Themes
The story deals with extremely heavy historical themes such as genocide, survival, loss, and trauma. The characters experience grief, fear, and deep emotional pain. There are moments of partial nudity related to concentration camp conditions and a few scenes that include brief, non-graphic romantic content.
Is Bau: Artist at War Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–12: Not suitable. The film’s themes, Holocaust imagery, and emotional depth are too mature for pre-teens. The violent and traumatic events, even when not graphically shown, may be too distressing.
Ages 13–17: Possibly suitable, with guidance. Mature teens—especially those learning about the Holocaust in school—may benefit from the film’s historical and emotional value. However, parental guidance is strongly advised due to intense scenes and complex themes.
Bau: Artist at War is a meaningful film that can open up discussions about history, love, and resilience. For emotionally mature teens, it offers a powerful educational experience, though it may be upsetting for some.
What Parents Can Do
Watch Together: This is a film worth watching with your teen. It opens the door to meaningful conversations about history and human courage.
Provide Context: Before viewing, explain the real events behind the Holocaust and who Joseph and Rebecca Bau were.
Talk After the Film: Discuss the film’s emotional scenes and how love, art, and survival shaped Joseph’s story.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Bau: Artist at War?
A: The film is rated PG-13 for strong violent content, thematic material, some language, partial nudity, and suggestive material.
Q: Is Bau: Artist at War appropriate for teens?
A: It may be suitable for teens 13+ with parental guidance, especially those who are emotionally mature and can handle serious historical topics.
Q: Is the violence graphic?
A: Some scenes are intense but not overly graphic. The emotional impact is strong, even when violence is implied.
Q: Does the film include sexual content?
A: The film contains brief suggestive moments and partial nudity, but there is no graphic sexual content.
Q: Is the story true?
A: Yes. The film is based on the real lives of Joseph and Rebecca Bau, including their secret wedding in a Nazi concentration camp.