Germanisation of cinema in Alsace and in Moselle
German cinema during the interwar period in Alsace-Moselle
Following the end of the First World War, Alsace and Moselle were reintegrated into French territory after 48 years of annexation. From that point on, the French authorities set about “re-Frenchifying” the population. The use of the French language was to be reinforced, as was attachment to national cultural values. In this context, the cinema found itself at the forefront of these efforts.
As early as 1919, a cinematographic propaganda service was created especially for Alsace-Moselle. Its aim is to organise the screening of Francophile educational and cultural films in cinemas and through travelling cinema shows. The arrival of talking films in the late 1920s revolutionised the local cinema industry. Only 17% of people in Alsace and Moselle spoke French in 1931, it was a natural thing that most of residents were more drawn to films in German than in French.
This situation created several problems. The authorities feared that cinema would slow down the “Frenchifying” engaged since 1919. Films were seen as linguistic factors encouraging viewers to continue using German. People from Alsace and Moselle are also affected by a national cap on the number of foreign films. In 1931, a French audience was more likely to see a German film in Paris than in Strasbourg.
Sometimes absurd situations arise. At the end of 1930, the film Westfront 1918 by George Wilhelm Pabst is shown in Strasbourg only in a French version, which did not appeal to the local audience. As a result, it is becoming increasingly common to cross the border into Germany to watch films in German.
At the same time, the German authorities banned the film All Quiet on the Western Front, following pressure from Nazi activists led by Joseph Goebbels. As a result, hundreds of Germans crossed the border to see the film in Strasbourg or in the Forbach area.
Photo 30 : City Archives of Thionville (57Fi 294) – Maréchal Foch Street in Hayange, on the left we can see the movie theater Eldorado (circa 1910-1920).
Photo 31 : Moselle Departmental Archives (11 Fi 173) – Draft advertising poster in German for the Scala movie theater in Thionville (circa 1935).
Photo 32 : City Archives of Thionville (83Fi 23) – Inside the Rex movie theater, in Thionville, circa 1930.