"Three generations of one family endure daily hardship typical of second world war for show, which has sparked criticism"
I would like to present to you the new Czech reality show named "Holiday in the Protectorate".This reality show presents a modern family pretending to live under the Nazi occupation.
At first I'd like to remind you some historical facts.On 16 March 1939 Czech lands were taken over by Nazi Germany: the Third Reich Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia was created.Meanwhile Slovakia declared the independence as a German ally.During the Nazi occupation the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia cooperated with the occupants. New Czech government, Czech police and Czech educational institutions were formed.Small armed forces served only to protect strategically important buildings and lines of communication.However, at the same time in London Czech government in exile was formed.There was also an anti-fascist resistance movement (mainly communist) acting in the occupied territories.During the years 1938-1945 (according to various sources) from 325 000 to 365 000 people were killed: approximately 277 000 Jews and 7500 Gypsies.This numbers does not include about 199 000 Sudeten Germans who died during the war.Czechs were resettled from the Sudeten region to the Protectorate where they were second-class citizens, that was reflected in almost all fields of everyday life.During the war also approx. 30 000 Czechoslovak communists were killed.The fact that the history of the Second World War was for Czechs a truly dramatic experience, is not negotiable.
Today, 70 years later, the world has changed: we have internet, smartphones and reality shows...Marketers were looking for a catchy theme that could be shown in a reality show, and they have found one.In the show a three generation family is presented: they are taken out of their natural modern reality and set into the times of the Second World War.Costume and set designers try to make things look authentic.There is a village and horses, the children are deprived of smart phones, the water is taken from the well, Generally we see the passion of people living without electricity or any other modern utilities.
“I spent a long time looking for a concept that would allow me to show life in another era while ensuring the highest level of authenticity,” said the director, Zora Cejnkova.
Czech media are very critical of this very controversial idea and I agree with this criticism.The dramatic reality of the Second World War is here used as a canvas for a sort of fairy tale.Today's Europe is struggling with the financial crisis and problems with the assimilation of various national and religious minorities. More often power is in the hands of right-wing conservative politicians, who are making promises toclose the borders for the immigrants and restrain social policy.Does that ring a bell?History can repeat itself and the worst thing we can do now is trivialize it by pretending that it could never happen again.A columnist of the Times of Israel wrote: “Fortunately for the family they will not be treated like 82,309 Jews who lived in the Protectorate and were deported by the Nazis to concentration and death camps or killed by Czech collaborators”.What do you think, do such TV shows help to understand the history or make an unrealistic theatrical performance of it?
Hi,
ReplyDeleteIdea of reality show set in WWII reality is controversial for sure! I think that it is a perfect way for financial success of TV program :) But many can condemn such an undertaking - especially if they try to change the history.
Producers can use the popularity of their show to teach the history or to pervert the facts.
I'm not familiar with Czech WWII history and it was great that i had an opportunity to learn a thing about that (even in such weird context ;) )
Great article!
Take care!
Michal
Thanks, I also didn't know anything about Czech WWII history ( especially that they had a political situation pretty similar to Vichy in France but not exactly) until I had to make some research for this article.
DeleteMy first association: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iAkcmoweFg
ReplyDeleteFor sure this show will be controversial, but in my opinion it might be interesting as well. We live in society, where TV shows such as “Jersey Shore”( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-QKqcYuj60) or “Please Marry My Boy” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgEKef-Erxs), so it would be nice to see something with historical background, maybe many people could learn something?
You could work on formatting – do not start a line with a comma, text should have the same type and colour etc, but all in all very interesting article.
Thanks, I still trying to learn how it works :) And about your comment..well we can always trust in society knowledge and don't be scared about simplifies having an influence on historical awareness in society... :) as we were scared when "iglourious basterds" was showed in USA :)
DeleteUnfortunately I’m not familiar with Czech history in times of WWII but I like reading about WWII itself. For example I have just finished watching polish series “Czas Honoru” which shows the reality of Polish people during Nazi occupation. Some scenes were pretty shocking for me but I have read that they were based on facts. Also that series have got a lot of awards for a faithful representation of that time. Of course it isn’t a document but I still recommend it for everyone who likes these climates.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless in my opinion the idea of reality show where some people pretend to live under the Nazi occupation is… hmm gently saying: just silly. I totally don’t get it. For me that topic shouldn’t be used in the entertainment in that way.
Ok, well, still the series or movies are the different thing than the reality shows...
DeleteIn my honest opinion, this show won't help at all. Audience is probably low, that depends on the show itself of course. Maybe someone will watch it, just from curiosity. I like history and good documentary movies about it, but in this case I think it won't work. Of course it's good to keep history and propagate it, especially for young people. But as I've said that depends on the audience. Idea is good, I admit. Do you have any statistics about audience? How many people actually watched more than one episod? And I agree with Tomasz, reality show about history and those dark times for many people is silly. I smell something fishy, probably cheap sensation and lust for money...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you,I do not have data on viewership, still I am sure that this kind of use of the subject can be harmful for the historical awareness, especially for young people who doesn't care about the second war.
DeleteI have mixed feelings about that. It's a little bit weird and impossible to show the cruelty of WWII. But on the other hand in Poland we have Reality Show which shows people who drink, have sex and make stupid things (WarsawShore?) and that is even weirder...
ReplyDeletehahah, sorry, I've made many useful comments but warsaw shore...well this argument is just too wise.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for your article Iza. The idea of reality show is...extremly extraordinary?
ReplyDeleteI will never suppose that some director will use WWII subject that kind..
Honestly, I'm not a big fan of Dovolená v Protektorátu.
I've watched a part of 4 episode here:
http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ivysilani/10871520054-dovolena-v-protektoratu/
In my opinion reality show is too superficial - gives only poor informations about 1939r.
Created for entertainment, cannot be valuable source.
Thanks, you are right! but my goal when I was making this article was to prove the harmfulness of such projects.
DeleteI see, so thanks for showing that such of ideas exist!
DeleteCould you imagine if similar show is possible in Poland? A lot of people would criticize the idea and of course Jews topic would come out (in a bad way) as always when it comes to talk about WW II.
ReplyDeletePolitics will also come out just to show themselves and pretend they know WW II history very well...
Only small percentage would reflect about dangerous WW II times. Poverty, no food, insecurity, the possibility of losing loved ones.
Would it be interesting for wider audience? I'm not sure. As some of you said, I think it wouldn't be as popular as other reality shows or programs with celebs. Too bad because we could learn something from programs like that and, maybe, appreciate what we have now.
Personally I think I would check out that show. Too bad I don't know Czech but I found "teaser" about show in English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imKFXyUPYE4
It is a MUCH better concept than a flood of Jesey/Warsaw Shores and their likes that I often see on TV, which big audience are young folks. I wouldn't mix in the politics in here - if people watch the show, then it points to the fact that is an interesting show and a producers' success. And that's what they make living of ;)
ReplyDeleteI really don't like the idea for the show. There were plenty of reality shows where people were transported into ye olde times, deserted islands etc where they had to fend for themselves without the modern amenities so the concept isn't even new. I haven't sought out any further information so I might be missing something but based on what you've written the show will follow the tried and true formula of transplanting a modern human into an unfamiliar environment. It feels like the creators desperately wanted to add a twist. A gimmick to attract viewers and make people talk about the show.
ReplyDeleteThe terror of those days was the uncertainty - any day a Nazi commander could decide that you are to be executed and all your holdings confiscated. Unless the creators are REALLY brave (slash insane) that's not going to be duplicated in the show. Without a threat to the participants we are left with a show about people dealing with life without smartphones and running water plus some actors in Nazi uniforms added in the background.
Also - Simpsons did it:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDuMp2kDxos
https://meblogwritegood.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/screen-shot-2012-07-26-at-11-54-41-am.png
Well, good presentation.
ReplyDeleteThe topic is hard. Touching historical times like World Wars are always controvertial. In this situation is only making money thing on emotions. I condemn such things and ideas.
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ReplyDeleteSpecific subject of article but well presented. I think we couldn’t forget about history and we have to draw conclusions from WWII. This kind of reality show is a way to remember those hard times. Nowadays international situation isn`t stable so every activity to remember a value of freedom is on time. I`m with your opinion about possibility to repeat of history and we have to prevent it. We have also to keep it in our consciousness.It is really hard to say something more about it. Thanks a lot for interesting topic – something different than others
ReplyDeleteI have always admired Czech sense of humor and distance to certain matters. I think that in Poland a similar programs would arouse more controversy and aversion. In my point of view it is a very good history lesson but the truth is that probably a large part of the audience is over 40. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think that young people, who have much easier in life than in 40's, are keen on watching such tv shows. Unless they're passionate about history.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very controversial idea. I am not sure what to feel about it - I have mixed feelings. However, in my opinion the tragedy and cruelty of WWII should not be trivialized like that. It is too early for this.
ReplyDeleteas for me this idea comes from some twisted mind. I don't understand that. Maybe only money can be some "normal" agument in con of this idea. It is hard for me to say more than no no no
ReplyDeleteFrom the historical point of view it is a sad thing and of course it shouldn't happen. But what the hell is that? Of course it is unrealistic circus act and it has nothing to do with a real WWII. I'd rather listen moooore and mooore stories from elder people who lived in those bad times than watch something like this because it can only give an false image for young people and make WWII a COOL trendy thing... wtf.. I am now really upset :-(. At least your presentation is very well prepared and my congrats! Thx!
ReplyDeleteI don't agree that it's "too soon" or the subject is too controversial. No subject should be. We have to stop beeing so butthurt about the past and stop perpetuating national stereotypes. And you say anti-immigrant politics and right wing parties gaining more and more power is a bad thing? Tell that to Sweden, which is flooded by immigrants wanting to abuse the social system there or USA, being terrorised by minorities that are out of control ;)
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ReplyDeleteIt's really good presentation.
ReplyDeleteYour topic is hard and very controversial, so it's good be discuss. Unfortunately, I'm not agree with that type of reality show. We should respect our history. If we want to show the cruelty of that times, please make some television series with combatants. They can describe that dark times on best way.
I think that the polish series "Czas honoru" can show to young generation how terrible war was.
Idea of reality shows is quite different. For me, when you are watching the show you lough, eat popcorn and spend time with friends. As we know the topic of WWII isn't funny so why we want to organise that type of television shows?