They are historians, researchers or museum employees, all passionate about the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy. Specialists, therefore, who wanted to highlight the role of Canadian troops in the liberation of France and Europe, where the cinema, and Hollywood in particular, has more often narrated the exploits of American soldiers.
“It was a group of friends who decided to make a film to pay tribute to Canadians. We work in museums, we are all passionate about the Second World War, at least its history, we also do historical reconstruction; and there, the goal is to make a film that can serve as a vector of interest for the younger generations and to show them that in a somewhat alternative way“, explains Frédérick Jeanne, historian and member of the Maple Leaf association.
The role of the Canadians was obviously also essential in this reconquest of Europe against Nazi Germany, but less highlighted than that of the Americans, certainly more numerous to land on the Normandy beaches. But all the same an injustice for the members of the association Mapple Leaf, maple leaf in French, the emblem of Canada. Drawing on their experience in re-enactments, they decided to tell the story of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, the regiment that liberated their village of Putot-en-Bessin, located on the very strategic national road 13, between Bayeux and Caen, the he was one of the priority objectives of the Allied troops on D-Day. Forty-five soldiers from the regiment were taken prisoner at Putot and then executed by the Nazis a few days later.
And as true specialists, very keen on details and historical truth, with their experience in reconstructions, they left nothing to chance, as Florian Copez, a member of Maple Leaf, tells us: “For the helmets, we gave the numbers of the soldiers, we redid the insignia which are very hard to find; and we also redid the assault boots which are very very rare since there are only thirty-five pairs left in the world“.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1lRvlBWe9U
Behind the camera, a pro, the Norman director based in Quebec Julien De Bock who embarked on the adventure: “You have to try to find compromises between History and cinema. On the other hand, the big advantage is that I have guys who are sharp, who know what they are doing and have the necessary equipment. We try to get as close as possible to what happened in 44“.
The project, on a low budget of course (moreover an online kitty is open), will be shot in several times. Last sessions during the next winter and spring, notably at Juno Beach where the men of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles landed, with the hope for all to be able to present the film, entitled Little Black Devils – From Juno to Putot, in 2024, the year of the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Normandy landings.
/2022/05/15/phpyFXpah.jpg)