Czech Film Revisits Dark Chapter In History (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

12 Nov 201003:47

Summary

TLDRThe script recounts the tragic history of the Czech village of Lidice, destroyed by the Nazis in 1942. It details the story of the assassination attempt on Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich by Czechoslovak resistance fighters. The aftermath led to the massacre of 340 villagers and the obliteration of the village. The script also highlights the efforts of the Czech film industry, with the support of private investors and volunteers, to bring this forgotten chapter to the big screen in a film set to release in 2011, ensuring the world remembers the atrocities and heroism of Lidice.

Takeaways

🏰 The village of Lalisov, northwest of Prague, played a significant role in Czech history, particularly during the Nazi occupation.
🎥 The Czech film industry is bringing the story of Lalisov to the big screen in a film titled 'Oz Nominá Oh Sohniye', almost 70 years after the events.
🔍 The film documents the atrocity committed by the Nazi regime in 1942, when the village was destroyed and its inhabitants killed.
🇨🇿 The story involves British-trained Czechoslovak resistance fighters who attempted to assassinate the Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich.
⚔️ Reinhard Heydrich was injured in the assassination attempt and died shortly after, leading to the destruction of Lalisov by the Nazis.
🔥 In retaliation for the assassination attempt, 340 people from Lalisov were killed, and the village was burned to the ground.
📽️ The film's trailer reveals the dramatic narrative of the real-life events, showcasing the bravery and sacrifice of the resistance fighters.
🏞️ Today, a new Lalisov stands nearby the original site, with monuments commemorating the tragedy.
🌐 The film faced financial challenges due to the global financial crisis but was saved by small-scale private investors and local funders.
🤝 The support from the public, even in small amounts, was symbolic and demonstrated a collective belief in the importance of telling this story.
🎮 An earlier attempt to educate young people about the tragedy through an online video game called 'Total Burnout of Lalisov' was met with public opposition and withdrawn.
📅 The film's release in 2011 is intended to ensure that the story of Lalisov is immortalized for both the Czech public and the world.

Q & A

What is the significance of the village Lalisa in Czech history?
-Lalisa is significant because it was destroyed by the Nazi regime in 1942 as a response to the assassination attempt on Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich by Czechoslovak resistance fighters.
What event led to the destruction of Lalisa by the Nazi regime?
-The assassination attempt on Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi leader of occupied Czechoslovakia, led to the destruction of Lalisa as the Nazis suspected the village of harboring the assassins or their helpers.
How many people were killed when Lalisa was destroyed by the German troops?
-Three hundred and forty men, women, and children were killed when Lalisa was destroyed.
What is the current state of Lalisa after its destruction?
-A new village stands nearby, and monuments mark the site of the tragedy to commemorate the event.
Why is the Czech film industry bringing the story of Lalisa to the big screen?
-The Czech film industry is bringing the story to the big screen to ensure this chapter in history is not forgotten and to educate the public about the atrocities that occurred.
What was the financial situation of the film project about Lalisa?
-The film project faced financial difficulties due to the global financial crisis, but it was saved by small scale private investors and local funders who contributed to the three million dollar project.
What was the public's response to the film project about Lalisa?
-The public showed interest and support for the film project, with many people contributing financially, even if it was just a small amount, which was symbolic for them.
What was the previous attempt to draw attention to Lalisa's history before the film?
-An online video game called 'Total Burnout of Lalisa' was commissioned by the curators of the Lalisa memorial, but it was quickly withdrawn due to public opposition.
What is the goal of the film producers when the film about Lalisa is released in 2011?
-The goal of the film producers is to help immortalize the story of Lalisa not only for the Czech public but also for the rest of the world.
What was the initial reaction to the online video game about Lalisa's history?
-The initial reaction to the online video game was negative, leading to its withdrawal due to public opposition.
How did the public's support manifest in the film project about Lalisa?
-The public's support manifested through financial contributions, even small amounts, which were symbolic for the contributors and showed their belief in the importance of telling the story.

Outlines

00:00

🏚️ The Story of Lalisa Village

This paragraph introduces Lalisa, a village northwest of Prague, which played a significant role in Czech history. It was destroyed by the Nazis in 1942, an event that has been documented but is now being brought to life on the big screen almost 70 years later. The film, 'Oz Nominah', directed by Giovanni A. Avicini, tells the story of Czechoslovak resistance fighters who attempted to assassinate Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich. The aftermath of the assassination led to the destruction of Lalisa and the death of 340 of its inhabitants. Today, a new village stands nearby, and monuments commemorate the tragedy. The paragraph also discusses the efforts of filmmakers and volunteers to ensure this history is not forgotten, despite the challenges posed by the global financial crisis and initial public opposition to a video game intended to educate about the event.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Lalisa

Lalisa is a village northwest of Prague that was destroyed by the Nazi regime in 1942. The name is significant as it represents the central location of the historical event depicted in the video. The village's destruction is a key part of the narrative, illustrating the atrocities committed during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia.

💡Nazi regime

The Nazi regime refers to the totalitarian government of Germany led by Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945. In the context of the video, it is the oppressive force that destroyed Lalisa and ordered the execution of its inhabitants, highlighting the severity of the regime's actions and their impact on the village.

💡Czechoslovak resistance fighters

Czechoslovak resistance fighters were individuals who opposed the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia during World War II. The video focuses on their attempt to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, a high-ranking Nazi official, which is a central event in the story and demonstrates the resistance's efforts to undermine Nazi control.

💡Reinhard Heydrich

Reinhard Heydrich was a main architect of the Holocaust and a leading SS and police official during the Nazi era. In the video, his assassination attempt by Czechoslovak resistance fighters is a pivotal moment, leading to the destruction of Lalisa as a reprisal by the Nazi regime.

💡Assassination

Assassination is the act of deliberately killing a high-profile target, often for political reasons. The video script describes the attempt on Heydrich's life by the resistance fighters, which is a critical event that triggers the tragic consequences for Lalisa and its inhabitants.

💡Nazi leader

The term 'Nazi leader' in the script specifically refers to Reinhard Heydrich, who was a prominent figure in the Nazi regime. His role and the subsequent assassination attempt are central to the historical narrative being portrayed in the video.

💡Occupied Czechoslovakia

Occupied Czechoslovakia refers to the period during World War II when the country was under the control of Nazi Germany. The video's theme revolves around the resistance against this occupation, as well as the brutal response of the Nazi regime to any acts of defiance.

💡Destruction of Lalisa

The destruction of Lalisa is a significant historical event depicted in the video. It represents the tragic outcome of the assassination attempt on Heydrich, where the village was razed to the ground and its inhabitants killed, symbolizing the harsh retaliation of the Nazi regime.

💡Check film industry

The check film industry likely refers to the Czech film industry, as 'check' is a colloquial term for Czech. The video discusses the industry's efforts to bring the story of Lalisa to the big screen, indicating the importance of cinema in preserving and retelling historical events.

💡Private investors

Private investors are individuals who provide financial support for projects, often in return for potential profits. In the context of the video, they played a crucial role in funding the film about Lalisa, ensuring that the story could be told despite the challenges posed by the global financial crisis.

💡Immortalize

To immortalize means to preserve something in a lasting form, often through art or storytelling. The video's producers aim to immortalize the story of Lalisa through the film, ensuring that the historical events and the village's sacrifices are not forgotten by future generations.

Highlights

The village of Lalisa, northwest of Prague, played an important role in Czech history.

Lalisa was destroyed by the Nazi regime in 1942, a well-documented atrocity.

Almost 70 years later, the Czech film industry is bringing the story of Lalisa to the big screen.

The film 'Oz Nomina Oh Sohniye' focuses on the real-life drama of Czechoslovak resistance fighters.

British-trained fighters parachuted into Prague to assassinate Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich.

Heydrich died from his injuries, leading to the destruction of Lalisa by the Nazis.

German troops killed 340 people and burned Lalisa to the ground.

Today, a new village stands nearby, with monuments marking the tragedy.

Filmmakers and cast, including many unpaid volunteers, aim to ensure this chapter in history is not forgotten.

The Czech film industry has suffered from the global financial crisis, impacting the film's production.

The film's $3 million project was in jeopardy until private investors and local funders stepped in.

Public donations, even small amounts, were symbolic and crucial to the film's production.

An earlier attempt to teach about Lalisa's history through an online video game was met with public opposition.

The film 'Oz Nomina Oh Sohniye' is set to be released in 2011, with hopes it will immortalize Lalisa's story.

The film aims to reach not only the Czech public but also a global audience.

The story of Lalisa is an important chapter in Czech history that deserves to be remembered.