Fog in August

A Yenish boy whose rebellious spirit initially brings trouble but also courage. He questions the institution’s rules, befriends Nandl, and confronts the murder plans that surround him. His longing for his father and a hoped-for future in America drives his stubborn will to survive.

A physician who implements the euthanasia program within the facility, guided by a cold logic and the regime’s racial hygiene ideals. He moves the killing into the hands of the institution’s staff and answers to his Nazi superiors. His authority and methods make him the principal antagonist in Ernst’s world.

A newly hired nurse who is willing to exterminate child patients using barbiturates. She represents the bureaucratic cruelty that patients confront within the system. Her actions are contrasted by the protective stance of others who seek to shield the vulnerable.

The head nurse who strives to shield the children from poisoning, acting as the moral counterpoint to Veithausen’s methods. She embodies the fragile resistance within the hospital walls. Her efforts highlight the human impulse to protect the innocent in the face of systematic violence.

A fellow patient and Ernst’s ally who gradually realizes the scope of the murders. Their friendship sustains hope as they discuss escape routes and the possibility of a different life beyond the institution. Nandl’s presence underscores the power of companionship in oppressive settings.

A patient connected to the murder plot who may have carried out the killing, although the exact culprit is disputed by his counterpart. His involvement emphasizes the chaotic, morally ambiguous atmosphere of the institution. The aftermath leaves questions about accountability.

Ernst’s father, released from a concentration camp and searching for a stable home. He hopes to bring Ernst to America but is denied discharge because he has no permanent address. His presence embodies the family separation caused by war and regime policies.

A representative of the Nazi authorities who enforces the murderous policies of the institution. His presence signals the impersonal and coercive power of the regime behind the doctors’ actions. He embodies the political force sustaining the euthanasia program.