Reichsfilmkammer
Encyclopedia
The Reichsfilmkammer was a public corporation based in Berlin
that regulated the film industry in National Socialist Germany
between 1933 and 1945. Everyone in the German Reich who wanted to work on films in any capacity had to be a member; lack of membership meant in effect a ban on employment.
The Reichsfilmkammer was established on the basis of the Gesetz über die Errichtung einer vorläufigen Filmkammer ("Law for the Establishment of a Temporary Film Chamber") of 14 July 1933. Under the Reichskulturkammergesetz ("Law of the Reich Culture Chamber") of 22 September 1933 the Film Chamber was integrated as a subdivision of the newly founded Reichskulturkammer
("Culture Chamber of the Reich").
The establishment of the Reichsfilmkammer was preceded by an ordinance of the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
(Reichsministerium für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda), which prohibited Jews and foreigners from any participation in the German film industry.
, were as follows:
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
that regulated the film industry in National Socialist Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
between 1933 and 1945. Everyone in the German Reich who wanted to work on films in any capacity had to be a member; lack of membership meant in effect a ban on employment.
History
The predecessor of the Reichsfilmkammer was the SPIO (Spitzenorganisation der Filmwirtschaft; in English, the "Film Industry Summit Organisation").The Reichsfilmkammer was established on the basis of the Gesetz über die Errichtung einer vorläufigen Filmkammer ("Law for the Establishment of a Temporary Film Chamber") of 14 July 1933. Under the Reichskulturkammergesetz ("Law of the Reich Culture Chamber") of 22 September 1933 the Film Chamber was integrated as a subdivision of the newly founded Reichskulturkammer
Reichskulturkammer
The Reichskulturkammer was an institution of Nazi Germany. It was established by law on 22 September 1933 in the course of the Gleichschaltung process at the instigation of Reich Minister Joseph Goebbels as a professional organization of all German creative artists...
("Culture Chamber of the Reich").
The establishment of the Reichsfilmkammer was preceded by an ordinance of the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
The Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda was Nazi Germany's ministry that enforced Nazi Party ideology in Germany and regulated its culture and society. Founded on March 13, 1933, by Adolf Hitler's new National Socialist government, the Ministry was headed by Dr...
(Reichsministerium für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda), which prohibited Jews and foreigners from any participation in the German film industry.
Direction
The presidents of the Reichsfilmkammer who reported directly to the president of the Reichskulturkammer, Joseph GoebbelsJoseph Goebbels
Paul Joseph Goebbels was a German politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. As one of Adolf Hitler's closest associates and most devout followers, he was known for his zealous oratory and anti-Semitism...
, were as follows:
- Fritz Scheuermann, lawyer, (1933-1935)
- Oswald Lehnich, Minister of the Economy for WürttembergWürttembergWürttemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
(1935-1939) - Carl FroelichCarl FroelichCarl August Froelich was a German film pioneer and film director.-Apparatus builder and cameraman:...
, film directorFilm directorA film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
(1939-1945)
Functions
The Reichsfilmkammer had a key role in the film-related politics of the National Socialist government. Its mission was principally:- the establishment of compulsory control over all those active in any aspect of film production (production, distribution, cinema);
- the regulation of the cinema industry (e.g., admission prices, composition of programmes, advertising and so on)
- the regulation of contracts, for example between fiklmmakers and film producers, or between theatre owners and tenants
- supervision of the Film Credit Bank (Filmkreditbank GmbH)
- regulation of film exports