In Europe, many conflicts and wars were often caused by mutual preconception and misunderstandings. These prejudices can already be proven in children's and school textbooks. The film illustrates the meaning and purpose done by the ‘International Textbook Institute – Textbook Centre of the Council of Europe’ (now ‘Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research’ in Braunschweig), on the revision of history and geography textbooks. Researchers analyse these school manuals according to recent historiography and principles of modern didactics. The traditional division in "them" and "us" should have no relevance in a modern European society based on openness, respect and tolerance. At the new established European Schools, the didactic concept of a joint education will be directly tested. Similarly, European school partnerships will help us to overcome national prejudices. The film uses irony and animation techniques to make its statement more effective.

Genre
Documentary

Credits
Production Country: Germany
Film Production Company: Franck-Film-Produktion
Commissioning Institution: Council of Europe / Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung
Director: Herbert M. Franck
Producer: Unknown
Script: Gisela Withake
Cinematography: Horst Nagel
Animation: Rudi M. Franck / Theo Windges
Film Editing: Unknown
Academic Advisor: Jost Enseling

Technical Information
Original Film Format: 35 mm
Duration: 13 minutes
Colour: Black & White

European History, European Education, Council of Europe, Animation

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German

Video

Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum, Frankfurt/Main

The film was digitised from the copy located at the Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum, Frankfurt/Main

Bruch, Anne & Clemens, Gabriele: «Wie Phoenix aus der Asche» – Die filmische (Re)Konstruktion des Europäers, in: Gabriele Clemens (ed.): Werben für Europa. Die mediale Konstruktion europäischer Identität durch Europafilme, Paderborn: Schöningh 2016, pp.489-506.