IMDb > Europa (1991)
Europa
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Videos (see all 3 NEW)
Europa (1991) -- Trailer for the experimental film set in postwar Germany
Europa (1991) -- Just after WW2, an American takes a railway job in Germany, but finds his position politically sensitive with various people trying to use him.
Europa (1991) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   6,261 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Lars von Trier
Writers:
Lars von Trier (writer) &
Niels Vørsel (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Europa on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 June 1991 (Germany) more
Genre:
Drama | War more
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. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
16 wins & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
Fantastic Fest Review: Antichrist
 (From FilmSchoolRejects. 30 September 2009, 7:48 AM, PDT)

Ricky D Conceicao: Founder & Creator
 (From SoundOnSight. 30 September 2009, 12:37 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Another utterly dazzling film from von Trier. more (54 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Europa (Sweden)
Zentropa
more
MPAA:
Rated R for mature treatment of holocaust issues.
Runtime:
112 min
Language:
English | German
Color:
Black and White | Color (Pathécolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby SR
Company:
Alicéléo more

Fun Stuff

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). more
Quotes:
Leopold Kessler: I think I understand unemployment in Germany much better now. People just can't afford to work here. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Portræt af: Lars von Trier (1991) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Europa Aria more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
23 out of 27 people found the following comment useful.
Another utterly dazzling film from von Trier., 1 April 1999
Author: Adam Kimball from Berkeley, CA

Zentropa is another von Trier film that manages to tell an authentically interesting story, revel in its own aesthetic beauty, and engage us in questions of metaphysics. The films narration, as described above, sets the gauntlet very high. The often tired flashback/hypnotism/relapse/etc structure poses a certain disaster to most of the films that dare to use it. However, it is pulled off masterfully.

With Zentropa, we must first buy into the introduction. We prepare ourselves to relive these moments, and allow the film to justify its use of this down the tracks. However, we learn very quickly that what we have been sold is not the standard omniscient perspective. It is distorted and fragmented; emotion has been poured on too thick at parts, while in others it is spread too thin. We must accept the story directly from a mind that we considerably mistrust.

The rest of the film tirelessly reconstructs the scenes of this deranged mind. We transition from b&w film, to color. From a nearly mystical hope, to an absurd pessimism. Time moves too slowly, but abruptly jumps ahead too quickly. von Trier understands the architecture of this 'hypnotic' state supremely.

The movie progresses sporadically which is mandatory given the structure. von Trier plays wonderfully with the noir genre, he throws in some espionage, some sex, love, hats and guns. Finally, he skillfully introduces issues of morality, war, and responsibility- adding a rich political dimension to an already layered film.

The final scenes are visually the most beautiful in the movie, and some of my all time personal favorites. The quiet, tenseless moments in this sequence finally allow us to sink into a comfortable pace and an agreeable aesthetic.

Ultimately, von Trier has framed this film around a giant question of reality. As is his standard. The fact that this metaphysical dimension continually impinges upon the film, justifies its validity. The question was artfully asked. And beneath this works a noir film, a veritable feast of imagery, and wonderful performances.

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