Swastika

http://www.renaud-bray.com

http://www.renaud-bray.com

*** Résumé en anglais seulement *** Swastika is a provocative and unsettling 1973 documentary that delves into the rise and culture of Nazi Germany through a collage of rare archival materials, propaganda reels, and personal home movies--many previously unseen by the public. Directed by Philippe Mora, the film is notable for its use of color footage taken by Eva Braun, Adolf Hitler's companion, offering an eerily intimate glimpse into the private life of the Führer and his inner circle.Rather than following a traditional historical narrative, Swastika presents a raw, collage-style portrait of the Third Reich, juxtaposing public spectacle with private domesticity. Viewers are shown chilling contrasts: Hitler addressing massive crowds in orchestrated propaganda rallies, followed by scenes of him feeding deer at his mountain retreat or relaxing with friends. These juxtapositions serve not to humanize Hitler in a sympathetic way, but to underscore the disturbing normalcy behind unimaginable evil.The documentary explores the role of myth-making, manipulation, and imagery in shaping the Nazi identity, drawing heavily from state-produced films, Nazi broadcasts, and the banal routines of its leaders. It challenges the audience to confront how fascist ideologies can embed themselves within seemingly ordinary contexts.Swastika premiered at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival where it provoked outrage, walkouts, and fierce debate. Its unflinching presentation of Hitler's private world--without overt commentary--was seen as both groundbreaking and controversial. The film's refusal to editorialize forces viewers to reckon with their own interpretations of the material, making it as much an exploration of media and memory as it is of history itself.