A taste of Alsace gastronomy followed by a documentary movie on the tragic history of Alsatians forcibly enrolled in the German Army in WWII

About this event
Alsace Washington DC Association is organizing a special evening on the topic of the Malgré-Nous (Against our will), those Alsatians and Moselans who were enrolled into the German Army against their will during World War II.
Benjamin Steinmann, a young Alsatian film director who was moved by the stories told by his grandmother about this tragic period in the history of Alsace, decided to make a documentary movie about this topic and he will present it himself at the Maison française of the French embassy on Tuesday, May 17th.

Story: In August 1942, Alsatians and Moselans are forcibly enrolled into the German Army. Some are incorporated into the units of the Wehrmacht, the Kriegsmarine and the Waffen SS elite units. Most of them were sent to the Russian fronts to fight the Soviet Army. André Balzinger, a young Alsatian enrolled on the Russian front, decides to desert and join the French Resistance. Accompanied by other Alsatian soldiers, he fled and embarked on a journey back to France, without any identity nor homeland. Treated as cowards by the Germans and enemies by the Soviets, these soldiers are condemned to march into uncertainty and the fear of losing their lives at any moment.

Schedule

• 6.00-7.15 pm: Standing buffet prepared by the chef of the French embassy: gourmet selection of bite-size typical Alsatian specialties.
• 7.20-9.00 pm: Presentation and screening of the movie
• 9.00-9.30 pm: Questions & Answers
• The whole event will take place in English. The movie is in French and German with English subtitles.

Menu
Mini pretzel with dip - Mini onion tart - Mini steam new potato - Sauerkraut & knack timbale - Ham mauricette - Cheese mauricette - Marmiton salé - Alsatian apple tart + 1 glass of Riesling
Cash bar

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/alsatian-standing-dinner-and-movie-at-the-maison-francaise-french-embassy-tickets-324868830417