Europa (1991)
Medium level violence, Sex scene
In 1945, Leo Kessler, an American of German descent, arrives in Germany in order to work and discover the land of his father, and discovers a conquered and destroyed country overshadowed by darkness towards the end of the Nazi regime. Upon arriving, his uncle gets him a job at the Zentropa Train Line, owned by the Nazi sympathizer, Max Hartmann. Soon afterwards he falls in love with Max’s daughter, Katharina but unfortunately, Leo cannot remain neutral, and must make difficult choices in difficult times.
Europa is Lars Von Trier’s early masterpiece and is one of the most visually striking films ever made. Alternating between glorious black-and-white and lush colour cinematography and other astonishing visuals, Europa is symbolic of the death throes of Nazism and the moral culpability of Americans and others who arrived too late to save the victims of this violent and oppressive regime.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 112mins |
| Origin: | SWITZERLAND |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (5)
5 Member
Reviews
Darren
says
I am a Lars Von Trier fan but couldn't get to grips with this film. I think his later work is a bit more accessible.
MareePSasja
says
OK - I'm going to be up-front here and admit that I am a HUGE Von Trier fan and have been ever since I saw 'Epidemic' in the early 90s. Somehow I managed to miss 'Europa', and I'm now very happy to finally have seen it.
Von Trier's films are not for your average punter. If you only ever enjoy really commercial films then don't bother with this one - unless you're wanting to educate yourself about the wider world of film. Von Trier's films require a certain amount of commitment and patience. Every line and every scene is loaded with references designed to make you think, to see parallels - if you're somebody who enjoys a puzzle, and if you have an interest in modern history, you'll love this.
For me, what's not to love? Influences of film noir, use of experimental techniques, surreal themes, stirring music... but most interestingly, a film that focuses on what life was like for Germans immediately after the end of WWII - seen from a European perspective. There are images galore in this film that stay with you. It's a dreamlike journey through a grim, black-and-white world following events that changed everything. Add stellar European actors like Udo Kier and Barbara Sukowa and you have a thoroughly affecting film that you won't forget in a hurry.
Sunet N.
says
Was it bad? NO. Was it a masterpiece? NO.
I like most of the Lars Von Trier movies and didn't find that one exceptional. It was slow, quite boring, the B
David S.
says
Simply a masterpiece! Confronting? Yes. difficult? Yes, but a masterpiece. If you liked Dogville, then you should like this
Chris D.
says
I remember there was a big deal about this when it first showed here, and it really didnt do it for me. I gave it another stab 16 years later and I can see what it was all about now; while the story isnt fabulous it is incredibly engaging, with an almost comic-book character that reminded me of Sin City, with which it had precisely nothing else in common.