We will go back together. Suzanne and Simone, a friendship in Ravensbrück » is a moving web documentary produced by France24 that sheds an intimate and unprecedented light on the story of two French women deported to the Ravensbrück camp.
This Multimedia Story, the fruit of the remarkable work of Stéphanie Trouillard and Claire Paccalin, an invaluable educational resource.
Through the intersecting fate of a young Breton woman who entered the Resistance by chance and a Parisian woman who was engaged from the first days of the Occupation, we discover more than the horror of an infamous camp: we witness the fragile but powerful birth of a friendship that allowed these two young women to resist the dehumanisation of everyday life.
webdoc suzanne and simone
This documentary, enriched by rare archives and Suzanne’s precious and late testimony, offers an original, humanly poignant and pedagogically essential look at one of the darkest periods in our contemporary history.
You will hear the voice of Suzanne testifying and telling, telling … again You will be absorbed by the images and photos of these two girls, the period documents, the return to the memorial sites.
A remarkable documentary and narrative work. The technical realization is at the top. Congratulations to the authors.
Table of Contents
A story of combat and friendship in five chapters
Suzanne waited until she was 73 years old to share her experience during the Second World War, a rare testimony recorded on cassette at the time. For decades, she has kept silent about this painful past.
The webdocumentary is divided into five chapters that offer a global vision of these two exceptional journeys.
Chapter 1: A Dive into the Resistance. The story begins with the commitment of these two exceptional women. Suzanne Bouvard, a 20-year-old Breton girl, joins the Resistance almost by chance, helping free France's maquisards and paratroopers. Simone Séailles, a cultured Parisian, became involved in resistance networks from the beginning of the occupation. Their paths, although different, converge towards the same destiny.
Chapter 2: From Brittany to Ravensbrück. This part traces the terrible journey to Ravensbrück. Of the 8,000 French women deported to this camp, many will not return. The testimonies collected describe the horror of cattle wagons, the dehumanisation on arrival, the shock of the discovery of the camp. The archives presented, including the camp's administrative documents, give a tangible dimension to this story.
Chapter 3: A friendship born in the camps. It is in this hostile environment that an exceptional friendship is born. As Suzanne said, "In the camp, you couldn't survive alone." The two women make a promise to each other: "We will go back together." This solidarity becomes their strength to resist daily dehumanization.
Chapter 4: A Return to the Earth. The liberation of the camp does not mark the end of their history. The webdocumentary sensitively exposes the difficulties of return, reconstruction, and especially the persistence of their friendship. Archival photos show their regular reunion, testifying to an unwavering bond forged in adversity.
Chapter 5: Maintaining Memory. The last chapter resonates particularly with the teaching mission. This web documentary is a great tool for this.
Why use it in class?
This webdocumentary lends itself easily to use in the classroom
- A narration in 5 well-structured chapters
- An engaging multimedia format for students
- An ideal medium to address:
- Commitment to the Resistance
- Deportation
- The duty of memory
- Values of solidarity and friendship
This web-documentary helps humanise history and make it more accessible to new generations. It can serve as a starting point for discussions on citizen engagement, which are particularly relevant in recent times when dark clouds are accumulating.
As the last direct witnesses of the Nazi period disappear, this type of document becomes crucial for perpetuating memory and educating students about the dangers of the far right.
A valuable educational tool
This webdocumentary, like the Animated film about the children of Izieu which you may recall, reminds us that history is above all about human journeys, made of courage and solidarity.
It allows you to discuss with your students key themes: resistance, deportation, friendship and the duty to remember. A valuable medium for making history alive and engaging students in a reflection on the values that underpin our society.
To discover and share in class, without hesitation.
Simone Bouvard
English