While Thomas J. Watson the head of IBM accepts Hitler’s contract to track and count Jews in German, local papers swell with stories of anti-Semitic outrages committed by that government. On March 18, 1933, The New York Times reports that the Nazis have ousted all Jewish professionals—lawyers, doctors, teachers—from their jobs. A front-page story under the headline “German Fugitives Tell of Atrocities at Hands of Nazis” describes Brown Shirts dragging Jews out of a Berlin restaurant and forcing them to run a gauntlet of kicks and blows such that the face of the last man through “resembled a beefsteak.” Other stories tell of Jews being forced to clean the streets with toothbrushes, of book burnings, of 10,000 refugees fleeing Germany, and of 30,000 people—Jews, political prisoners, gays, and others—imprisoned in concentration camps. On March 27, virtually outside your window on Broadway, a crowd of more than 50,000 at a Madison Square Garden mass rally demands that American firms boycott Nazi Germany. In these circumstances, with this knowledge, Thomas Watson, bids for the census contract. Thomas J. Watson knew these things.

When the Reich needed to mount a systematic campaign of Jewish economic disenfranchisement and later began the massive movement of European Jews out of their homes and into ghettos, once again, the task was so prodigious it called for a computer. But in 1933, no computer existed. When the Final Solution sought to efficiently transport Jews out of European ghettos along railroad lines and into death camps, with timing so precise the victims were able to walk right out of the boxcar and into a waiting gas chamber, the coordination was so complex a task, this too called for a computer. But in 1933, no computer existed.

However, another invention did exist: the IBM punch card and card sorting system-a precursor to the computer. IBM, primarily through its German subsidiary, made Hitler’s program of Jewish destruction a technologic mission the company pursued with chilling success. IBM Germany, using its own staff and equipment, designed, executed, and supplied the indispensable technologic assistance Hitler’s Third Reich needed to accomplish what had never been done before-the automation of human destruction. More than 2,000 such multi-machine sets were dispatched throughout Germany, and thousands more throughout German-dominated Europe. Card sorting operations were established in every major concentration camp. People were moved from place to place, systematically worked to death, and their remains cataloged with icy automation.

Zero Eight (08) is the digital number for “Jew” on the IBM card punch card.

Zero Eight Treatment

Logline

In the shadow of Nazi Germany’s rising terror, a determined journalist and a Jewish activist uncover the troubling ties between American corporations and the Third Reich, forcing IBM’s Thomas Watson to confront the moral cost of his company’s technological ambitions.

Tone and Genre

  • Tone: Tense, morally complex, emotionally resonant, with moments of quiet intimacy juxtaposed against the horrors of persecution.
  • Genre: Historical drama, investigative thriller, with elements of romance and ethical introspection.

Setting

  • Time Period: 1933–1941, capturing the rise of Nazi persecution from the boycott of Jewish businesses to Kristallnacht and the Holocaust’s early stages.
  • Locations:
    • Berlin, Germany: Jewish neighborhoods, Nazi offices, Humboldt University, and the Adlon Hotel.
    • New York City: Madison Square Garden, newsrooms, Central Park, IBM headquarters, and intimate settings like Anna’s apartment.
    • Warsaw, Poland: Deportation station and Nazi data collection office.
    • Auschwitz-Monowitz: IG Farben factory and administration data room.

Characters

  1. Anna (30s, female, American): A tenacious New York Daily News reporter driven to expose corporate complicity with the Nazis. Her passion for truth fuels her investigation, while her growing bond with Hillel adds personal stakes.
  2. Hillel Kook (30s, male, Jewish activist): A member of the Bergson Group, fiercely committed to raising awareness about Nazi atrocities. His partnership with Anna deepens into love, grounding their shared mission.
  3. Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (60s, male, American): IBM’s visionary CEO, torn between ambition and morality. His initial defense of business neutrality crumbles as he faces the human cost of his decisions.
  4. Jeanette Watson (50s, female, American): Thomas’s supportive wife, whose empathy pushes him toward redemption.
  5. Leon Krzemieniecki (20s, male, Polish Jew): A haggard punch card operator in Warsaw, whose discovery of coded death sentences sparks quiet rebellion.
  6. Heinrich Himmler (30s, male, German): Cold and calculating SS leader, orchestrating the use of IBM technology for the Final Solution.
  7. Adolf Hitler (40s, male, German): The Führer, whose vision for efficiency drives the sinister repurposing of IBM machines.
  8. Albert Speer (30s, male, German): Nazi Minister of Armaments, facilitating IBM’s integration into Germany’s war machine.
  9. Reinhard Heydrich (30s, male, German): Himmler’s ruthless deputy, tasked with adapting IBM machines for Nazi persecution.
  10. Hanna (30s, female, Polish Jew): A defiant figure at the Warsaw deportation station, embodying resilience amidst despair.

Themes

  • Moral Ambiguity: The conflict between corporate ambition and ethical responsibility, as Watson grapples with IBM’s role in Nazi operations.
  • Resistance and Resilience: The courage of individuals like Anna, Hillel, and Leon to fight oppression through truth and defiance.
  • Technology’s Double Edge: The promise of progress twisted into tools of persecution, highlighting the unintended consequences of innovation.
  • Human Connection: The power of love and solidarity to sustain hope in the face of unimaginable horror.

Plot Outline

Act 1: The Gathering Storm

  1. Berlin, 1933 – Nazi Boycott of Jewish Stores
    • Nazi thugs disrupt a Jewish neighborhood, targeting a bakery with stink bombs and hateful signs. An old woman watches helplessly from her window, setting the tone of fear and resistance.
    • Purpose: Establish the rising tide of Nazi persecution and its impact on everyday lives.
  2. Madison Square Garden, 1933 – Rabbi Wise’s Rally
    • Rabbi Stephen S. Wise delivers a fiery speech condemning Nazi actions, urging a boycott of German goods. Anna, a reporter, meets Hillel Kook, sparking their alliance. Hillel hints at IBM’s troubling ties, planting the seed for Anna’s investigation.
    • Purpose: Introduce Anna and Hillel’s mission, highlighting the call for global action against Nazism.
  3. Reich Chancellery, 1933 – Hitler’s Vision
    • Hitler, Himmler, and Dr. Friedrich Burgdörfer discuss using IBM’s punch card technology for a precise census to identify “undesirables.” The sinister potential of technology emerges.
    • Purpose: Reveal the Nazis’ plans to exploit IBM’s tools, setting up the ethical conflict.
  4. New York Daily News, 1933 – Anna’s Pitch
    • Anna pitches her story on U.S. companies aiding Nazis to her skeptical editor, Tom, who warns of financial risks. She vows to dig deeper, undeterred.
    • Purpose: Show Anna’s determination and the obstacles she faces in pursuing the truth.
  5. Watson Family Dining Room, 1934 – Moral Lessons
    • Thomas Watson Sr. teaches his children about integrity, unaware of the ethical storm brewing at IBM. His wife, Jeanette, reinforces his values, creating a contrast with his later decisions.
    • Purpose: Humanize Watson, foreshadowing his internal conflict.
  6. IBM Headquarters, 1934 – Ethical Debate
    • Executives Andrew Turnbull and Arthur Watson debate selling punch card machines to Germany. Turnbull warns of moral risks, but Watson prioritizes business growth, citing other companies’ dealings with Nazis.
    • Purpose: Highlight the corporate rationalization of morally dubious decisions.

Act 2: The Investigation Deepens

  1. Humboldt University, 1935 – Nuremberg Laws’ Impact
    • Jewish professor Samuel Fischer is ousted from his classroom, part of a broader purge of academics. The scene underscores the human cost of Nazi policies enabled by precise data.
    • Purpose: Show the real-world consequences of IBM’s technology in academia.
  2. New York Café, 1935 – Anna and Hillel’s Bond
    • Hillel shares smuggled documents revealing IBM’s role in targeting Jewish professors. Anna’s outrage grows, and their partnership deepens into romance, sealing their commitment to expose the truth.
    • Purpose: Develop Anna and Hillel’s relationship and escalate their mission.
  3. Berlin, 1937 – Watson’s ICC Speech and Speer Meeting
    • Watson speaks at the International Chamber of Commerce, promoting trade as peace. In a private meeting, Albert Speer proposes deeper IBM collaboration, luring Watson with opportunities to meet Hitler.
    • Purpose: Show Watson’s ambition blinding him to Nazi intentions.
  4. American Club of Berlin, 1937 – Anna Confronts Watson
    • Anna challenges Watson on his Nazi ties, accusing him of enabling persecution. Watson defends his neutrality but shows a flicker of doubt.
    • Purpose: Mark the first crack in Watson’s resolve, driven by Anna’s persistence.
  5. Kristallnacht, Berlin, 1938 – Night of Broken Glass
    • Nazi mobs destroy Jewish shops and synagogues, dragging families from homes. The chaos underscores the escalating violence enabled by organized data.
    • Purpose: Depict the horrific escalation of Nazi persecution, linking it to IBM’s technology.
  6. Anna’s Apartment, 1938 – Kristallnacht Photos
    • Hillel delivers smuggled Kristallnacht photos, revealing IBM’s role in targeting Jews. Their shared outrage culminates in a passionate moment, solidifying their bond.
    • Purpose: Deepen Anna and Hillel’s relationship while escalating the stakes of their mission.
  7. Walter Winchell’s Office, 1938 – The Story Breaks
    • Anna shares her findings with Walter Winchell, who agrees to broadcast the story. Her editor, Tom, finally relents, approving her trip to Germany for firsthand accounts.
    • Purpose: Mark a turning point in the investigation, amplifying its reach.
  8. Hitler’s Office, 1939 – Final Solution Planning
    • Hitler, Himmler, Speer, and Eichmann discuss repurposing IBM machines for the Final Solution, keeping Watson and Dehomag unaware. Reinhard Heydrich is tasked with retrofitting machines in Warsaw.
    • Purpose: Reveal the full extent of Nazi exploitation of IBM technology.

Act 3: The Truth Unveiled

  1. Warsaw Data Office, 1941 – Leon’s Discovery
    • Leon Krzemieniecki, a punch card operator, discovers codes marking Jews for Treblinka. His silent rebellion reflects the human toll of IBM’s machines.
    • Purpose: Show the direct impact of IBM’s technology on individual lives.
  2. Warsaw Deportation Station, 1941 – Human Cost
    • Families, including Hanna, face deportation with quiet courage. The mechanical efficiency of the process underscores the role of data in the Holocaust.
    • Purpose: Humanize the victims and connect their fate to IBM’s technology.
  3. IG Farben Factory, Monowitz, 1941 – Brutal Labor
    • Prisoners labor under brutal conditions, their lives reduced to punch card codes. A worker’s collapse and execution highlight the dehumanization enabled by data.
    • Purpose: Depict the industrial scale of Nazi cruelty tied to IBM’s systems.
  4. Auschwitz Data Room, 1941 – Operators’ Despair
    • Operators like Stefan and Anna process codes for execution and labor, grappling with guilt and despair. A moment of defiance unites them against their oppressors.
    • Purpose: Show the emotional toll on those forced to enable the Nazi machine.
  5. IBM Headquarters Sidewalk, 1941 – Anna’s Final Plea
    • Anna confronts Watson with Kristallnacht photos, shattering his denial. He freezes, overwhelmed by guilt, as Anna urges him to act.
    • Purpose: Force Watson to face the consequences of his decisions.
  6. Watson Family Dining Room, 1941 – Redemption
    • Watson, haunted by the photos, confides in Jeanette and his daughters. He resolves to return the German Eagle Cross, choosing integrity over ambition.
    • Purpose: Conclude Watson’s arc with a step toward redemption.
  7. Central Park, 1941 – A New Path
    • Watson walks with his family, reflecting on his choices. Jeanette’s support and his children’s innocence inspire him to redefine IBM’s legacy.
    • Purpose: Offer a hopeful resolution, emphasizing personal growth and moral courage.

Epilogue

  • New York, 1941: Anna and Hillel, now a united front, continue their fight to expose corporate complicity. Walter Winchell’s broadcast echoes, urging public accountability.
  • Text on Screen: “Thomas Watson returned the German Eagle Cross in 1940, distancing IBM from Nazi ties. The fight for truth and justice continues, a testament to those who dared to speak out.”
  • Purpose: Tie the story to historical outcomes, honoring the resilience of Anna, Hillel, and the victims.

Visual Style

  • Cinematography: Contrasting vibrant pre-war scenes with the stark, desaturated palette of Nazi oppression. Handheld shots during chaotic scenes like Kristallnacht, steady shots for intimate moments.
  • Sound Design: A haunting score with klezmer influences for Jewish scenes, dissonant tones for Nazi settings. The clatter of punch card machines underscores key moments.
  • Production Design: Authentic 1930s settings, from opulent Nazi offices to gritty ghetto streets, emphasizing the clash between power and suffering.

Emotional Arc

  • The film balances the horror of Nazi persecution with the hope of resistance and redemption. Anna and Hillel’s love story provides warmth amidst despair, while Watson’s journey from ambition to accountability offers a nuanced exploration of complicity and change.

Contemporary Relevance

  • The story resonates with modern debates about technology’s ethical implications, corporate responsibility, and the power of journalism to challenge systemic wrongs, drawing parallels to today’s data-driven surveillance and human rights issues.