Film Archive
In this small collection, you will find historical films used to document and promote Lutheran service to refugees, documentary footage of the founding of the Lutheran World Federation, and the personal memories of St. Olaf College and Northfield community member, Dr. Howard Hong, LWF Senior Representative and Director of LWF Service to Refugees in Germany.
The Role of Film for Service to Refugees
Providing sustenance to refugees and facilitating the resettlement of displaced persons to new homes required massive coordination of material and financial resources gathered and distributed by national, supranational, religious and non-religious aid organizations. But where did those resources actually come from? One key source was local churches. In order to mobilize generous giving and convince American Lutherans to sponsor refugee resettlement with official assurances of lodging and work, different Lutheran organizations—including the Lutheran World Federation, the National Lutheran Council, Lutheran World Action, and the Hilfswerk of the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD) —collaborated to create educational, promotional materials to disseminate to congregations across the country. The first four films in this collection were designed to teach congregations about the devastation facing refugees and the reasons and ways to help them.
Special thanks to the ELCA Archives for assistance in assembling this collection.
Mission of Mercy (1947)
Produced by Lutheran World Action. In the announcement for the screening at Concordia College, the college newspaper The Concordian (May 2, 1947, p.2) notes, “This movie portrays the suffering in Europe and the urgent need for outside aid there. The challenge this situation presents to all Lutherans is graphically depicted.”
First Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, Lund, Sweden (1947)
With “The Lutheran Church in the World Today” as its theme, the First Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation marked the official founding of the organization as successor to the Lutheran World Convention (founded 1923). The Assembly was attended by 400 visitors from twenty-six countries, with churches in the United States, Germany, and the Nordic countries most heavily represented. This short, silent film with Swedish inter-titles shows highlights from the Assembly location, attendees and key moments like the signing of the Lutheran World Federation constitution, the election of Professor Anders Nygren (Sweden) as first LWF President, and confirmation of Dr Sylvester Michelfelder (USA) as first LWF Executive Secretary.
Answer for Anne – The Story of Displaced Persons (1949)
From the ELCA Vimeo Collection entry for the film: “Produced by Lutheran World Action and the National Lutheran Council in 1949, Answer for Anne tells the story of Displaced Persons (DPs) in post-war Europe, and the services provided by the agencies that would eventually become Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS). Starring Lenka Peterson, Will Geer, and Harvey Stevens. 40 minutes. From 1990 LIRS reissue.”
March of Faith (1948)
Produced by Lutheran World Action. Available on the ELCA Archives youtube channel, this film depicts three pressing problems the Lutheran World Federation: orphaned missions, displaced persons, and the rehabilitation of the church. Beginning around minute 14, when describing the plight of displaced persons, this film describes the value of material support, such as food or supplies for self-sufficiency (e.g., tools, seeds, repair kits, etc.), as well as various types of spiritual support. The film also includes scenes from the 1947 First Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation.
Turn in the Road (1952)
The film depicts a conversation among National Lutheran Council Executive Director Paul Empie, Fredrik Schiotz (St. Olaf Class of 1924 and future LWF President) and incoming LWF Executive Secretary Carl Lund-Quist about the efforts of Lutheran World Action and the Lutheran World Federation after ten years of service.
Das neue Kapitel / The New Chapter (1954)
“Ein Dokumentarfilm über die Flüchtlinge aus der Sowjetrussischen Besatzungszone Deutschlands.” A English-dubbed film depicting Lutheran relief work among refugees from the country of East Germany (GDR), which was founded in 1949. Produced by West German station NDW in cooperation with the Hilfswerk of the Evangelische Kirchen in Deutschland, the Lutheran Church in Germany. Distributed by Lutheran World Action.
Howard Hong Oral History Interview (2007)
The Northfield Historical Society interviewed Dr. Howard Hong, Professor emeritus of Philosophy at St. Olaf College, about his life in Northfield—as a professor and as a community member. The first 12 minutes of the interview are dedicated to the topic of Dr. Hong’s service to German POWs through the YMCA and to refugees in Germany through the Lutheran World Federation and how that work connected directly to the Northfield and the college. Of particular interest is how Dr. Hong facilitated the resettlement of displaced scholars from Baltic countries to take up professorships at Lutheran college in the Midwest. The interview as a whole reveals much about how Dr. Hong’s philosophy and character drove him to service to refugees.