Transfering Chopin : Géza von Bolváry’s Abschiedswalzer (Chopin, the bard of freedom)

Zrealizowana w III Rzeszy biografia Fryderyka Chopina uchodzi za film zaskakująco przyjazny wobec Polski i Polaków. Uważa się go za przykład sprawnego warsztatowo, wolnego od ideologicznych serwitutów kina rozrywkowego, stanowiącego – zdaniem współczesnych historyków polemizujących z tradycyjną tezą o jego skrajnym upolitycznieniu – nurt zdecydowanie dominujący za rządów narodowych socjalistów. Jednak analiza sposobu wykorzystania muzyki kompozytora, konstrukcji głównych postaci, pominięć i przeinaczeń faktów historycznych, zastosowanych strategii genderowych, wreszcie roli języka prowadzi do innych wniosków. Film ten zdradza głęboką ambiwalencję wobec bohatera. Afirmacji jego twórczości towarzyszy dyskredytowanie go jako mężczyzny i patrioty, co skutkuje zauważalną „germanizacją” filmowego Chopina, która pozostaje jednak niepełna i niekonsekwentna. Z filmu von Bolváry’ego można wnioskować nie tylko o oficjalnych priorytetach niemieckiej polityki zagranicznej (poprawne stosunki z sąsiednim państwem, a zarazem antysowieckość), lecz także o ekspansjonizmie III Rzeszy. Zanim Niemcy zaczęły realizować ideę skolonizowania Wschodu za pomocą środków militarnych, ich ekspansja miała charakter kulturowy, a służyły jej takie filmy, jak Chopin, piewca wolności.

"Abschiedswalzer", the biography of Frederic Chopin made in the Third Reich, is usually seen as a surprisingly friendly towards Poland and Polish people. The film is regarded by contemporary film historians opposed to the typical argument that film entertainment during the Nazi era was extremely politicised, as well crafted, and free of ideological elements typical of cinematic entertainment of the time. However an analysis of how Chopin’s music is used, the construction of the main characters, omissions and distortions of historical facts, gender strategies applied and the role of the language leads to a different conclusion. The film shows a deep ambivalence towards Chopin. An affirmation of his music is accompanied by discrediting him as a man and as a patriot, which results in visible “germanization” of Chopin presented in the film, which germanization however remains incomplete. From the film it might be inferred what were the official priorities of the German foreign policy of the time (correct relations with the neighbouring states, and also an anti-soviet direction) but also the expansionist ambitions of the Third Reich. Before the Germans began to realize the idea of colonising the East by military means, the expansion was a cultural one, and was served by films such as "Chopin, the Bard of Freedom".

"Abschiedswalzer", the biography of Frederic Chopin made in the Third Reich, is usually seen as a surprisingly friendly towards Poland and Polish people. The film is regarded by contemporary film historians opposed to the typical argument that film entertainment during the Nazi era was extremely politicised, as well crafted, and free of ideological elements typical of cinematic entertainment of the time. However an analysis of how Chopin’s music is used, the construction of the main characters,omissions and distortions of historical facts, gender strategies applied and the role of the language leads to a different conclusion. The film shows a deep ambivalence towards Chopin. An affirmation of his music is accompanied by discrediting him as a man and as a patriot, which results in visible “germanization” of Chopin presented in the film, which germanization however remains incomplete. From the film it might be inferred what were the official priorities of the German foreign policy of the time (correct relations with the neighbouring states, and also an anti-soviet direction) but also the expansionist ambitions of the Third Reich. Before the Germans began to realize the idea of colonising the East by military means, the expansion was a cultural one, and was served by films such as "Chopin, the Bard of Freedom".