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Europa Europa
1992
Agnieszka Holland's EUROPA EUROPA is the fascinating fact-based story of Solomon Perel (Marco Hofschneider), a German Jew who survived the Holocaust by concealing his identity, literally within enemy ranks. When Nazi thugs smash into the Perels' house, 13-year-old Solly manages to flee. Upon his reunion with his family, they .. Read more
| Starring | Marco Hofschneider, Julie Delpy, Klaus Abramowsky, Michele Gleizer |
|---|---|
| Director | Agnieszka Holland |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
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Europa Europa
Agnieszka Holland's EUROPA EUROPA is the fascinating fact-based story of Solomon Perel (Marco Hofschneider), a German Jew who survived the Holocaust by concealing his identity, literally within enemy ranks. When Nazi thugs smash into the Perels' house, 13-year-old Solly manages to flee. Upon his reunion with his family, they head for Poland, hoping to find safety but war soon overcomes that land, and once again Solly is forced to run, this time with his brother. They become separated, however, and ultimately Solly falls into the clutches of the Nazis. He quickly realizes he has just two chances for survival: convincing them that he, too, is a pure-blooded Aryan, and hoping that they never find out the truth. Based on Perel's miraculous autobiography, Holland's film is an epic drama that features a moving performance by Hofschneider. Holland uses exquisite pacing to build even greater tension; the further Solly digs himself in with the Nazis, the closer to being exposed he becomes. It is this ironic twist of fate that makes EUROPA EUROPA such a powerful motion picture; the screenplay for this gripping story was nominated for an Academy Award.
| Starring | Marco Hofschneider, Julie Delpy, Klaus Abramowsky, Michele Gleizer, Rene Hofschneider, Marta Sandrowicz |
|---|---|
| Director | Agnieszka Holland |
| Studio | ARROW FILMS |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 47 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: German |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 16 Dec 2002 Production year: 1992 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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This extraordinary story from writer/director Agnieszka Holland proves once more that truth is stranger than fiction. Marco Hofschneider is hugely impressive as Salomon Perel, the Jewish teenager who fled to Soviet-occupied Poland to escape the Nazi tyranny, only to become accepted as a loyal Aryan after he was captured by the advancing Germans. Agonisingly hiding the physical clues to his extraction, he becomes a hero of the Hitler Youth and even manages to romance rabid anti-Semite Julie Delpy. Holland's wonderfully understated direction allows the cruel ironies to bite harder and she makes chilling use of the paraphernalia of totalitarianism.
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"...[EUROPA, EUROPA] brings new immediacy to the outrage by locating specific, wrenching details....Several remarkable episodes..."
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Most helpful member's review
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15 out of 15 people found this review helpful
An Intriguing tale, let down by heavy-handed direction
'Europa Europa' is the story of Salomon Perel(Marco Hofschneider), a young Jew who survived the war by passing himself of as an Aryan German. The film traces his efforts to conceal his identity, while trying not to lose sight of his true faith.
Sadly Agnieszka Holland's film is an uninvolving and plodding affair. Perel gets caught in many difficult situations but Holland suprisingly fails to inject any sense of danger. Matters are not helped by Marco Hofschneider's weak central performance. He gives a blank portrayal of Perel and never gets under the skin of the character. There's little exploration of Perel's tormented state of mind as he questions his allegiance.
Julie Delpy makes an impact in an underwritten role but the film is a disappointment. Perel's tale is a fascinating one, and deserves to be told. It's a shame 'Europa Europa' couldn't do his story justice. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Funny and Heartbreaking in one fell swoop
A rather compelling black comedy with moments that will make you laugh, cry and occasioanally wince (any male watching the movie will know at which point). DO not let the subtitles fool you, the acting and story are so engrossing that soon you will forget the subtitles are there.
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Europa Europa
Agnieszka Holland's EUROPA EUROPA is the fascinating fact-based story of Solomon Perel (Marco Hofschneider), a German Jew who survived the Holocaust by concealing his identity, literally within enemy ranks. When Nazi thugs smash into the Perels' house, 13-year-old Solly manages to flee. Upon his ...
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