The 20th Century on Film

The Olympic Games: A Festival of Turmoil (3x16)

Air date: Jun 20, 2020

The "Festival of Peace" has had a history full of scars. The program traces its turbulent history, including frequent cancellations due to war, Hitler's propaganda, and boycott battles between the East and West during the Cold War. The Olympic Games have been at the center of wars and politics. The Olympic Games were cancelled for the first time after World War I. The Berlin Games were called "Hitler's Olympics." The 1940 Tokyo Olympics ended in a mirage, and the Games were cancelled for 12 years after World War II. During the Cold War, the West boycotted the Moscow Games in protest against the invasion of Afghanistan, and the East boycotted the Los Angeles Games in retaliation. The film depicts the turbulent events of the "Festival of Peace.