Europa Europa (1990)

A boy in Nazi Germany, trying to conceal that he is Jewish, joins the Hitler Youth.

Director:

Agnieszka Holland

Writers:

Agnieszka Holland, Solomon Perel (memoir: Ich war Hitlerjunge Salomon)

Stars:

Solomon Perel, Marco Hofschneider, René Hofschneider

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marco Hofschneider	...	Sally
André Wilms	...	Kellerman
Ashley Wanninger	...	Eric
Klaus Abramowsky	...	Sally's Father
Michèle Gleizer	...	Sally's Mother
Delphine Forest	...	Inna Moyseyevna
René Hofschneider	...	Isaak, Sally's Brother
Julie Delpy	...	Leni
Hanns Zischler	...	Captain von Lereneau
Martin Maria Blau	...	Ulmayer
Bernhard Howe	...	Feldwebel
Klaus Kowatsch	...	Schulz
Holger Kunkel	...	Kramer
Halina Labonarska	...	Leni's Mother
Andrzej Mastalerz	...	Zenek Dracz

Storyline

A Jewish boy, separated from his family in the early days of WWII, poses as a German orphan and is thereafter taken into the heart of the Nazi world as a 'war hero' and eventually made a Hitler Youth. Although improbabilities and happenstance are cornerstones of the film, it is based upon a true story.

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Plot Keywords:

circumcision | hitler youth | nazi | jewish | german | 

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Taglines:

In the tradition of Voltaire's Candide and Jerzy Kosinski's The Painted Bird.

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for mature treatment of holocaust issues

Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.

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Goofs

At one point Salomon narrowly misses being killed in an air-raid, which kills his roommate. Rather than show a World War II aircraft, or even a bomber, stock footage shows a single C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, which was not even designed until many years after the war.

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Quotes

Leni's Mother: Are you really German?
Salomon 'Solly' 'Salek' Perel: No. I'm a Jew.
Leni's Mother: I knew it. From the beginning I knew. I swear I won't betray you.
Salomon 'Solly' 'Salek' Perel: I had to tell someone. I couldn't stand it anymore.
Leni's Mother: You mustn't tell Leni.

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: The Fugitive/The Meteor Man/Manhattan Murder Mystery/The Secret Garden/The Wedding Banquet (1993)

User Reviews

An Amazing Cinematic Accomplishment

When, this summer, I saw "Saving Private Ryan", I was immediately reminded of this film. Using the same kind of camera angles that got Spielberg praise in "Ryan", we see the hollowness of the war-torn psyche and the brutality that emerges in people during warfare. We see hideous indoctrination that the German youth were subjected to, giving them depth beyond a few simple lines. Most of all, however, we see the absurdity inherent in such a large scale, world-shattering conflict. The film communicates its message with a clarity that makes one almost uneasy. As good as "Ryan" was, this is better.

Details

Country:

Germany France Poland

Language:

German Russian Polish Hebrew

Release Date:

14 November 1990 (France)

Also Known As:

Europa Europa

Filming Locations:

Poland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,433, 30 June 1991

Gross USA:

$5,575,738

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,575,738

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA), The Senate of Berlin

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1