The French wine producers resigned themselves – with various degrees of enthusiasm – to selling their production to an occupier who turned out to be an excellent client after all. There was hardly any looting by the German troops and not much resistance from the French. There was, however, a flourishing, well-organised trade. Until the day it all turned sour, when trade gave way to plundering of Jewish properties in the wine business.
The new masters of the wine business in France – former professional wine traders in their civilian life - were soon dubbed « Weinführer » by the French.
Albert Knechtel’s film brings to life the German veterans’ fond memories of France and the far more ambiguous souvenirs of the French wine growers.
Festivals and Awards:
* 2005: "Cep d'Or Trophy", Special Grand Juyr Award, Festival Oenovideo, Ménèrbes, France
* 2004: "Jury Award", category documentaries & current affairs, Festival Intl. du film sur la vigne, le vin et les spiritueux, Mérignac, France.