Europa (1991)

Director:

Lars von Trier

Writers:

Lars von Trier (writer) &
Niels Vørsel (writer)

Release Date:

27 June 1991 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

Just after WW2, an American takes a railway job in Germany, but finds his position politically sensitive with various people trying to use him.

Plot Keywords:

American | Germany | Sleeping Car | Train | Uncle

Awards:

16 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Jean-Marc Barr	...	Leopold Kessler
Barbara Sukowa	...	Katharina Hartmann
Udo Kier	...	Lawrence Hartmann
Ernst-Hugo Järegård	...	Uncle Kessler
Erik Mørk	...	Pater
Jørgen Reenberg	...	Max Hartmann
Henning Jensen	...	Siggy
Eddie Constantine	...	Colonel Harris
Max von Sydow	...	Narrator (voice)
Benny Poulsen	...	Steleman
Erno Müller	...	Seifert
Dietrich Kuhlbrodt	...	Inspector
Michael Phillip Simpson	...	Robins
Holger Perfort	...	Mr. Ravenstein
Anne Werner Thomsen	...	Mrs. Ravenstein

Also Known As:

Europa (Sweden)
Zentropa
Europa (Argentina) (Spain) [es]
Europa (Greece) [el]
Europa (Finland) [fi]
Evropa (Slovenia) [sl]

MPAA:

Rated R for mature treatment of holocaust issues.

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

Denmark | Sweden | France | Germany | Switzerland

Language:

English | German

Color:

Black and White | Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

New Zealand:M | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Italy:T | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Chojna Cathedral, Chojna, Poland

Company:

Alicéléo

Trivia:

The final film in Lars von Trier's 'Europa' trilogy which illuminates the traumas of Europe in the future. The two other parts are Forbrydelsens element (1984) and Epidemic (1987).

Quotes:

Leopold Kessler: I think I understand unemployment in Germany much better now. People just can't afford to work here.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Anecdotes from 'Europa' (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Europa Aria

utterly fascinating and unique

With stunning cinematography and a thread of Kafkaesque absurdity, this movie had me from the simple yet fascinating opening scene. The movie plays much like a dream, and I think that may be why people either hate it or love it. Characters are drawn superficially and the story itself is slight and perhaps a little pointless. But these are failings of the movie but conscious choices. The film works isn't trying to work as history, but rather is a deconstruction of 1940s war movies.

I would have trouble arguing that there was much real substance to the movie, but the movie is such a cinematic wonder that I was completely swept away. This is one of the most beautifully filmed movies ever, and there is a wild imagination in its style. I can completely understand why people would hate it, but I give it 9/10.