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Europa, Europa

Play trailer Poster for Europa, Europa R Released Jun 28, 1991 1h 55m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 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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Europa, Europa

Critics Reviews

View All (22) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: B+ Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Rated: 3/5 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (363) audience reviews
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 Full Review omnomnio (spoilers) This movie did an amazing job of showing the dangers of being a Jew during World War 2, keeping viewers constantly at the edge of their seats during the film. The orchestral music was beautiful, and although it was repetitive, it added to dramatic scenes. The acting was also impressive, notably during emotional scenes such as Robert's death scene and when Solly revealed he was a Jew to Leni's mother. This movie touches on very sensitive subjects and really makes you think about humanity. As a viewer, you can't help but feel guilty for watching parts of this movie. When watching Leni and Solly flirt with each other, I couldn't help but smile until I remembered that Leni was an antisemitic Nazi. Moments like this also make the movie stick with you more. Europa Europa made you question morality and how everyone involved in that war was human, even if they believed in twisted ideologies. Although the movie had some suggestive sexual scenes that were uncomfortable to watch, this movie stuck with me very much. The idea that this movie was based on a real story is truly heartbreaking. I could never imagine someone suffering through such hardships, especially someone my age. Overall, this film has some scenes that are disturbing, but I recommend it regardless. Europa Europa is a movie that will truly stick with you and have you thinking for days. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/24/23 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
Europa, Europa

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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, Central Cinema Company Film (CCC), Telmar Film International Ltd., Les Films du Losange
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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