Nazi prejudice and propaganda – the racist crimes against the “children of shame”

This gripping documentary, directed by Dominik Wessely, explores a little-known crime that occurred after World War I. In the years following the war, relationships between French occupation troops and German women were forbidden. However, such affairs took place regardless, and the result was a number of mixed-race children. These youngsters would later face persecution at the hands of the Nazis.

The film delves into the experiences of these children born between 1919 and 1928 in the Rhineland region of Germany. Their mothers, often ostracized by society, were the product of liaisons between French troops – many of African descent – and local women. The film explores how these children and their extended families were victimized and ultimately became targets of racist policies implemented by the Nazis. Through interviews and archival footage, this documentary sheds a new light on an often-overlooked aspect of history, and one that highlights the devastating impact of propaganda and “fake news” that can fuel horrific crimes.