Little Isles of Freedom

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Movie
Original title Little Isles of Freedom
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1943
length 19 minutes
Rod
Director Victor Stoloff
script Dorothy Thompson
production Edgar Loew
Victor Stoloff
music William Lava
occupation

Little Isles of Freedom is a 1943 American documentary directed by Victor Stoloff .

The port of Miquelon

content

Since the Saint-Pierre and Miquelon archipelago belongs to the French overseas territory, it was de facto subject to the Vichy regime that had ruled there since June 1940 during the Second World War . A diplomatic problem arose when de Gaulle's troops occupied Saint-Pierre and Miquelon in December 1941. The State Department feared that this would set a precedent and requested the withdrawal of troops. De Gaulle refused, however. Ultimately, it was agreed not to oppose de Gaulle's action, as the islands were still under French control. On December 25, 1941, the rule of the Vichy regime over Saint-Pierre and Miquelon ended. The other day, Gaullist soldiers, led by Admiral Émile Muselier, arrested Governor de Bournat, whereupon the government in Vichy protested. The government of Canada feared that the German government might plan an invasion. Numerous islanders were committed to free France and its armed forces.

Victor Stoloff went to the small archipelago in 1942 to re-enact the liberation of the small territory that was under the rule of the Vichy regime until December 25, 1941 . The undertaking was a challenge for Stoloff and his team, as the area around the archipelago was riddled with floating mines. The film was cast with locals playing themselves. Defectors who switched to the Vichy regime and their families were persecuted and subjected to reprisals. The local police were required to serve the government of the prevailing system. Racist laws had to be implemented, as well as sometimes draconian punishments. To listen to Radio London one had to be very careful and could only do it in secret. In his film, Stoloff also addresses abuses that occurred in the occupied city. The political decisions of the Vichy regime also leave their mark on the children on the island. It also shows how the archipelago was conquered on December 24, 1941 under the leadership of Admiral Muselier. As a result, the governor is overthrown and the gendarmerie and radio stations are deposed; the Vichy regime is history. Governor Alain Savary announces a referendum and a vote. The Mayor of Saint-Pierre and the locals sing the Marseillaise .

Production and Background

The film was filmed in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon , a French overseas territory east of the Canadian coast, around 25 kilometers south of Newfoundland. The small archipelago is the last remnant of the French colony of New France . The film was produced by Warner Bros. as The Vitaphone Corporation. The film was completed in January 1943.

The film was distributed by Warner Bros. in 1943 and by Associated Artists Production in 1956 .

Little Isles of Freedom was released in the United States on January 30, 1943. His series title was: Broadway Brevities (1942–1943 season) # 7: Little Isles of Freedom .

The film is part of the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Award

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Little Isles of Freedom at snatchthat.net, accessed January 9, 2016.
  2. ↑ Connaissez - vous Victor Stoloff? In: ajoe.org (French), accessed January 9, 2016.