Europa

R

1991

1h 54m

Mystery & Thriller

List

82%

17 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

An American (Jean-Marc Barr) gets caught in a plot to blow up a train for the woman (Barbara Sukowa) he loves in 1945 Germany.

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Dani G

I really don't know what to say about this, 'cause I'm really not sure of what story I saw. Nice imagery, though

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/27/23

Full Review

Manuel F

"Europa" es una obra maestra del cine europeo que combina elementos del cine noir, el drama y el cine de guerra. Ambientada en la Alemania de la posguerra, la película sigue la historia de Leopold Kessler, un joven estadounidense que viaja a Europa con la esperanza de contribuir a la reconstrucción del continente. Pronto se ve envuelto en una red de intrigas y secretos mientras trabaja como conductor de trenes en una compañía ferroviaria. En cuanto a los planos, la película utiliza una variedad de técnicas visuales para crear una atmósfera única y envolvente. Uno de los aspectos destacados es el uso frecuente de planos largos y secuencias continuas, que generan una sensación de inmersión y permiten al espectador experimentar los acontecimientos de manera más intensa. Estos planos se combinan con movimientos de cámara suaves y precisos, que contribuyen a la fluidez visual y a la narrativa cinematográfica. La iluminación desempeña un papel crucial en la creación de la atmósfera sombría y opresiva de la película. Von Trier utiliza una paleta de colores fríos y contrastantes, predominando los tonos azules y grises, que reflejan la sensación de desolación y decadencia de la Europa de la posguerra. La iluminación tenue y la presencia de sombras sugieren un ambiente cargado de misterio y peligro, reforzando así el tono noir de la historia. Además, la película hace uso de recursos de iluminación expresionista, como el juego de luces y sombras, para resaltar los estados emocionales de los personajes y acentuar la sensación de alienación y desorientación de Leopold. Estos elementos visuales se combinan con una cuidadosa dirección artística, que recrea escenarios oscuros y claustrofóbicos, enfatizando así el estado mental de los personajes y el ambiente pesimista de la época. En resumen, "Europa" es una película que destaca tanto por su narrativa cautivadora como por su brillante dirección visual. Los planos largos y la técnica de cámara fluida permiten al espectador sumergirse en la historia, mientras que la iluminación expresionista y la dirección artística contribuyen a crear una atmósfera única y evocadora. Es una película que no solo entretiene, sino que también invita a la reflexión sobre los traumas y las consecuencias de la guerra en la Europa de la posguerra.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/14/23

Full Review

Dave S

Europa is probably the most visually arresting film to be found in Lars von Trier's considerable body of work. Made prior to his role in the creation of the Dogme 95 school of avant-garde, austere filmmaking, Europa is shot primarily in black and white, rich in texture and enhanced by remarkable lighting and effects. Leopold (Jean-Marc Barr), an American pacifist of German descent, arrives in Germany at the end of World War 2 and accepts a job on a train in order to participate in the rebuilding of the nation. Before long, he finds himself ensnared by those whose ambitions may not be what they seem. Despite a weak performance from Barr, Europa is a challenging and rewarding film by a director in his formative years, a hint of the continued brilliance that would soon follow.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

ZENTROPA is the train one man Leopold Kessler is assigned to board from America Yet he's of German descent We focus in Frankfurt, Germany 1945 and Leopold wants to help the country rebuild following World War II But his position is made difficult politically sensitive with those who want to use him Director Lars von Trier makes quite a visually arresting tale Yet the story feels rather disjointed at times For a black and white neo-noir about the aftermath of one of the biggest wars in history von Trier certainly has his own style even if not all of it comes together cohesively

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

david f

This is a hypnotic thriller/comedy about a sleeping car conductor in post-war Germany. I can remember seeing this in the Michigan Theater back in the 90s when it came out. It stays with you because of the powerful filmmaking uniting sight and sound. Watch it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very stylich film from the great director. Mostly black and white, but a nice touch with creative color usage in certain scenes. The camera handling is superb, at times it's amazing. The story is also cool and my favorite from the trilogy. Best of the three films for me in most ways. A stand out from his earlier films, but I guess I like his newer films better. 7 out of 10 bombs.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Lars von Trier

Director

Jean-Marc Barr

Leopold Kessler

Barbara Sukowa

Katharina Hartmann

Udo Kier

Lawrence Hartmann

Ernst-Hugo Jaregard

Onkel Kessler

Erik Mørk

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Bill Weber

Slant Magazine

The German moral tragedy of the Nazi era is obscured by the movie's ostentatious arsenal of tricks and toys.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 12, 2008

Full Review

Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The narrative is told in a deliberately disjointed style by the film's Danish director, Lars Von Trier, whose strength is in the film's astonishing visuals.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

For all its technical and aesthetic brilliance, Europa remains a rather cold and distant film, one that is easy to appreciate, but difficult to love.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 27, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Everything comes together beautifully.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 21, 2023

Full Review

Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

Von Trier is vague, portentous.

Apr 10, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

An American (Jean-Marc Barr) gets caught in a plot to blow up a train for the woman (Barbara Sukowa) he loves in 1945 Germany.

Director: Lars von Trier
Screenwriter: Tómas Gislason, Lars von Trier
Production Co: Gerard Mital Productions, Fund of the Council of Europe, Det Danske Filminstitut, Nordisk Film, Union Générale Cinématographique (UGC), Institut suisse du film, Coproduction Office, Sofinergie 2, Svenska Filminstitutet, Alicéléo, Eurimages, Sofinergie 1, WMG Film, Fortuna Films
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 15, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.4K
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround

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