The German army’s 1940 invasion of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg marked the beginning of a long ordeal for the nation’s people. For more than four years, Nazis occupied the country, eager to destroy its independence and integrate the Grand-Duchy into the Reich.

The Luxembourgers had to be “Germanized” by force, an entire nation exposed to merciless oppression. Resistance to the Nazi invaders continued to strengthen throughout the years of occupation, compelling the Germans to resort to ever more radical means. However, not all Luxembourgers were hostile to the Nazis; some actively collaborated with the enemy, betraying their compatriots. Despite the dangers they faced, a handful of men and women made the difficult choice to orchestrate acts of resistance.

Although Germany’s attempt to annex Luxembourg ultimately failed, their occupation, more than any other period, fostered population-wide awareness of their true national identity. The emotional weight of the film rests on the many testimonies of the people who lived through that tragic period: including those who took part in the only general strike ever organized against the occupiers, enlistees into the German army forced to fight their allies on the Russian front, a joiners of resistance groups. Fascinating accounts from Luxembourgers render this an important addition to curricula focused on World War II.

Grand Prize for Historical Research : XXVIIIth International Festival of Art and Pedagogic Film, Paris, 2004