Europa (1991)

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

Director:

Lars von Trier

Writers:

Lars von Trier, Niels Vørsel

Stars:

Barbara Sukowa, Jean-Marc Barr, Udo Kier

16 wins & 7 nominations.

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

Storyline

An American of German descent arrives in post-war Germany 1945. His uncle gets him a job on the Zentropa train line as a sleeping car conductor. The American's wish is to be neutral to the ongoing purges of loyalists by the Allied forces and do what he can to help a hurting country, but he finds himself being used by both the Americans and the influential family that owns the railroad. After falling in love with the railroad magnate's daughter, he finds that he can't remain neutral and must make some difficult choices.

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Plot Keywords:

germany | 1940s | train | sleeping car | american | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for scenes of violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Spain Denmark Sweden France Germany Switzerland

Language:

English German

Release Date:

27 June 1991 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Europa

Filming Locations:

Chojna Cathedral, Chojna, Zachodniopomorskie, Poland

Box Office

Budget:

DKK 28,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,007,001

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alicéléo,Coproduction Office,Det Danske Filminstitut

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Black and White Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Steven Spielberg is a fan of the film. Upon seeing it, he offered Lars Von Trier the chance to work in Hollywood, to which Von Trier politely declined. Von Trier has worked solely in Denmark ever since, and has never been to the United States.

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Quotes

[opening lines]
Narrator: You will now listen to my voice. My voice will help you and guide you still deeper into Europa. Every time you hear my voice, with every word and every number, you will enter into a still deeper layer - open, relaxed and receptive. I shall now count from one to ten. On the count of ten, you will be in Europa. I say: one. And as you focus your attention entirely on my voice, you will slowly begin to relax. Two - your hands and your fingers are getting warmer and heavier. Three - ...

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Connections

Featured in A Conversation with Lars von Trier About the Europe Trilogy (2005)

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Soundtracks

Europa Aria
Written by Lars von Trier
Performed by Nina Hagen and Philippe Huttenlocher
Courtesy of Virgin Musique

User Reviews

Back to 1945 Germany

By watching this movie I discovered an artist that I waited too long to discover. Playing with multiple cinematographic tricks Trier not only bring us back in history but he also adopt the style that movie had in the time where the action is depicted. Also, with the rear screen projection, Trier had the chance to give his movie a unique depth of field and by the way to mix color and B&W and therefore make a magical masterpiece that can be appreciated by the dumb movie eaters that most of us are.