Review of Europa Europa (1990) by Tim L — 30 Jul 2011

In this moving real-life story about a young Jewish man who escapes death by posing first as a Russian and then as a Nazi.

Ths script and acting are strong. Also, on a seperate note, as a huge fan of the Three Colours films it was nice to see Julie Delpy in one of the main roles, and to hear another excellent score by Zbigniew Preisner.

Its difficult at times to relate to the character, who's constant turn-coating seems rather immoral when viewed against a backdrop of suffering and persecution of his family and community. But who is to say that, put in the same situation any one of us would'nt act in exactly the same way to save ourselves? And thankfully in the end his guilt at pretending to be a Hitler youth wins him over and he tries to find his family again.

A really well made and thoughtful film.