Book presentation: Cinema in Occupied Belgium by Roel Vande Winkel

What did a movie night look like in the Tweede Wereldoorlog? Which propaganda and entertainment films were shown? Get acquainted with a special piece of film history: a period in which Belgian cinemas were not only bombed, but also blown up by the resistance. On Sunday, December 6, professor Roel Vande Winkel will launch his new book 'Cinema in Bezet Belgiy: Film, audience, propaganda and entertainment during WWII' (Uitgeverij Ertsberg). Using film clips, posters and photos, he takes us to a forgotten chapter of Belgian film history. Historicus Bruno De Wever (UGent), known for his research into the Tweede Wereldoorlog, introduces Roel Vande Winkel. In May 1940, the Duitsers Belgiians invaded. From then on, they determined what the cinemas showed. Geen Charlie Chaplin of Greta Garbo more. But films from Germany, France and other countries. Propaganda films, but also musicals, dramas, comedies… Hundreds of thousands of tickets were sold weekly. Not to everyone, because Jews were forbidden to go to the movies anymore. Roel Vande Winkel brings this story to life and also speaks about the many cinemas in Ghent that were active in the Tweede Wereldoorlog. The screening is organized in collaboration with Willemsfonds Gent, OSGG (Alumni Geschiedenis Universiteit Gent) and Geuzenhuis.