Introduction

Blood and Tears: French Decolonisation (Décolonisations: du sang et des larmes) takes a look into the decline of the French Empire, as its colonies around the world rebel and fight for their independence.

Outline

This documentary gives voice to those who rose up to demand independence for their country in the aftermath of World War II, as well as their children and grandchildren.

The story of the decline of the French empire and the indelible mark colonialism left on countries that were colonised.

In the mid-to-late 19th century, the French and other European powers colonised much of Africa and Southeast Asia.

During the decades of imperialism, these industrialising powers viewed the African and Asian continents as reservoirs of raw materials, labour and territory for future settlement. In most cases, however, significant development and European settlement in these colonies was sporadic.

After the second world war, the French and European colonial empires started falling apart. By 1966, most French-controlled territories and colonies gained independence, and new nation states were established.

This three-part series charts the history of that period of decolonisation, and explores the debates about assimilation, race, identity and citizenship that have troubled France from then until now.

Featuring interviews with war veterans and descendants of those who experienced the “blood and tears” of colonialism and decolonisation directly – in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific – it also looks at the indelible mark this has left on the hearts and souls of close to half a billion people across five continents and some 45 countries.

Blood and Tears: French Decolonisation Series

• Part 01.
• Part 02.
• Part 03.

Production & Filming Details

• Narrator(s):
  • Lucien Jean-Baptiste.
• Director(s):
  • David Korn-Brzoza … (3 episodes, 2020).
• Producer(s):
  • Lucie Pastor … a production of (3 episodes, 2020).
  • Fabienne Servan-Schreiber … a production of (3 episodes, 2020).
• Writer(s):
  • Pascal Blanchard … (3 episodes, 2020).
  • David Korn-Brzoza … (creator) (3 episodes, 2020).
• Music:
• Cinematography:
• Editor(s):
  • Louis Goldschmidt … (3 episodes, 2020).
  • Jean-Paul Le Grouyer … (3 episodes, 2020).
• Production:
  • Cinétévé.
  • France Télévisions.
• Distributor(s):
  • Al Jazeera.
• Release Date: 30 November 2020 to 03 December 2020.
• Running Time: 60 minutes (per episode).
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.

Video Link(s)