Harmonious life in a labor city

Harmonious life in a labor city 

Harmonious life in a labor city 

Through the eyes of a slightly naïve German engineer, this feature film depicts the harmonious life in the"Arbeiterstad" [labor city] - a euphemism used for the harsh reality of a foreign labor camp. The commentary states that a 'forceful fate' drove"Millionen fremdvölkischer Arbeitskräft" [millions of ethnically non-German laborers] to Germany. Eighteen nations are represented in the work camps, including French, Belgians, Norwegians, Croatians, Serbs, Bulgarians, and Ukrainians. All signs in the camp are in six languages: German, French, Italian, Polish, Serbian, and Ukrainian. A journal with the title"Europa arbeitet für Deutschlan" [Europe works for Germany] is shown, followed by pictures of the living quarters in the barracks. The comprehensive cultural and entertainment program includes exhibitions, dances, music, movies, and sports. The kitchen, the hospital, the nursery school, the grocery store, and the hairdresser are shown, as well as workshops and factories. In the camp's cinema, a movie is screened:"Europa im Sport: ein Film der Arbeiterstad" "Europe in Sports: A Film of the Workers' Cit"] which includes a scene with a sign reading"Ostarbeite" [Eastern workers - Nazi term for workers from the Soviet Union]. The movie closes with the motto:"Arbeiten für Europ" [Working for Europe].