Europa, Europa

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Europa, Europa

R

Released Jun 28, 1991

1h 55m

History

Drama

War

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95%

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22 Reviews

90%

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5,000+ Ratings

Jewish teenager Salek (Marco Hofschneider) is separated from his family when they flee their home in Germany after Kristallnacht. He ends up in a Russian orphanage for two years, but when Nazi troops reach Russia he convinces them he is a German Aryan, and becomes an invaluable interpreter and then an unwitting war hero. His deception becomes increasingly difficult to maintain after he joins the Hitler Youth and finds love with beautiful Leni (Julie Delpy), a fervent anti-Semite.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

The overall sweep of Europa Europa as both spectacle and story telling is effortless throughout.

Rated: 4/4

May 24, 2022

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

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Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Stefan Pape

Common Sense Media

So astonishing is this WWII drama, it is hard to believe it is actually based on real events.

Oct 9, 2024

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Agnieszka Holland narrates this incredible, but true, story in the tone of a picaresque adventure. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 12, 2022

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

In a time when nationalism and hatred fuel political campaigns both in the United States and abroad, Europa Europa remains relevant.

Feb 14, 2020

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Juan C

The only bad movie I've seen on this topic. The main idea is interesting, but there are several scenes that are as unnecessary as they are ridiculous. Add to that the poor performance by the lead actor, and it feels like a waste of time. An overrated movie.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

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Comrade Y

This movie is amazing, It shows the life of Solomon Perel and how his life evolves during the rise of Nazi Germany and how he did everything to survive the war, and joining the Hitler youth, and as well as being in the Soviet Youth, amazing movie 10/10 Highly recommended.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/23

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Dave S

If it weren't based on actual events, Agnieszka Holland's Europa Europa would seem like a pretty improbable story. While certain liberties were probably taken with the actual events, it remains a compelling tale of survival and assimilation set during the horrors of WW2 in Europe. Torn from his family, 16-year-old Salomon masks his Jewish roots while he travels the countryside, ultimately finding himself enrolled as a member of the Hitler Youth. Beautifully shot and acted, especially by Marco Hofschneider in the lead role and Julie Delpy in a brief appearance early in her career, Europa Europa is a cautionary tale that is, sadly enough, as relevant today as it was when it was released over thirty years ago.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

An extraordinary and true story about a German Jewish boy who due to extreme circumstances finds himself in the elite Hitler Jugend, fully underlining how absurd and insane the Nazi race ideology is and forever will be. Oustanding acting by a young main cast and otherwise well executed. A timeless film about an exceptional pocket of time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

I thought the film was stunning in telling this story that is incredible yet true. Aside from any documentaries that I've been, I thought that it was the finest film covering the the atrocities of Holocaust up until Steven Spielberg's masterpiece, Schindler's List. It's a shame that it wasn't nominated for best foreign film at the Academy Awards.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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s r

1001 movies to see before you die. This one did not affect me despite its at times interesting plot. Overall, it was tedious and fictionalized. Saw on HBO.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Agnieszka Holland

Director

Marco Hofschneider

Solly (Salomon Perel)

Julie Delpy

Leni

André Wilms

Soldier Robert Kellerman

Ashley Wanninger

Gerd

Hanns Zischler

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Synopsis

Jewish teenager Salek (Marco Hofschneider) is separated from his family when they flee their home in Germany after Kristallnacht. He ends up in a Russian orphanage for two years, but when Nazi troops reach Russia he convinces them he is a German Aryan, and becomes an invaluable interpreter and then an unwitting war hero. His deception becomes increasingly difficult to maintain after he joins the Hitler Youth and finds love with beautiful Leni (Julie Delpy), a fervent anti-Semite.

Director: Agnieszka Holland
Producer: Margaret Ménégoz, Artur Brauner
Screenwriter: Paul Hengge, Agnieszka Holland
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Zespół Filmowy Perspektywa, Les Films du Losange, Telmar Film International Ltd., Central Cinema Company Film (CCC)
Rating: R (Mature Treatment of Holocaust)
Genre: History, Drama, War
Original Language: German
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 28, 1991, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Mar 4, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.2K
Runtime: 1h 55m

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