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ProudProgressiveNow

(6,129 posts)
Wed Oct 19, 2016, 04:25 PM Oct 2016

Is Paris Burning?

Book/Movie Plot:

Shortly after the failed 1944 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler (Billy Frick), he appoints General Dietrich von Choltitz (Gert Fröbe) as military governor of occupied Paris. Hitler believes Choltitz will obey his order that the Allies should not be allowed to capture Paris without the Germans destroying it completely, similar to the planned destruction of Warsaw.

As the military situation deteriorates, Choltitz delays the order to destroy Paris, believing that Hitler is insane and that the war is lost, making the destruction of Paris a futile gesture. He chooses instead to surrender shortly after the Allies enter the city.

As the Free French Forces and De Gaulle parade down the streets of Paris, greeted by cheering crowds, a phone receiver off the hook is seen with a voice in German repeatedly asking "Is Paris burning?" From the air, Paris is seen, its buildings still standing.

The Trump Campaign in a nutshell.
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Is Paris Burning? (Original Post) ProudProgressiveNow Oct 2016 OP
Thanks for this snippet of History. It is an apt comparison. misterhighwasted Oct 2016 #1
Choltitz later received an honorary medal from the French government. closeupready Oct 2016 #2
Or: Paris Is Burning frazzled Oct 2016 #3
+1 nt ProudProgressiveNow Oct 2016 #4

misterhighwasted

(9,148 posts)
1. Thanks for this snippet of History. It is an apt comparison.
Wed Oct 19, 2016, 04:30 PM
Oct 2016

America will survive the madness of Donald Trump, too.

 

closeupready

(29,503 posts)
2. Choltitz later received an honorary medal from the French government.
Wed Oct 19, 2016, 04:35 PM
Oct 2016

Not really speaking to your point, but rather the example - I always found that gesture to be really poignant.

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
3. Or: Paris Is Burning
Wed Oct 19, 2016, 05:13 PM
Oct 2016

The acclaimed 1991 documentary by Jennie Livinston that was one of the first mainstream films to feature gay, trans, drag culture:

Few documentaries can claim to have sparked as much discussion and controversy as Jennie Livingston’s debut Paris is Burning (1991), the vibrant time capsule of New York’s ballroom subculture in the 80s. Seven years in the making, this stylish, poignant film followed African American and Hispanic gay men, drag queens and transgender women as they compete in simultaneously fierce and fun competitions involving fashion runways and vogue dancing battles, while sporting styles like Butch Queen, Town and Country and Luscious Body. Many of the contestants vying for trophies represent “Houses” (Pendavis, Extravaganza, LaBeija) which serve as surrogate families and social groups for a predominantly youthful community largely ostracised from mainstream society.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/24/burning-down-the-house-debate-paris-is-burning




I'm not being coy here, just reminding that there is a similarly titled film that also dealt with historically important issues.

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