Review of Europa Europa (1990) by Erik S — 28 Sep 2008

A tense and enthralling film. The film is based on the autobiography of Solomon Perel, a Jewish-German teen who for 4 years (I believe) hid his identity by masquerading as a pure-bred German and found himself in Hitler's Youth School for boys.

If the premise of the film seems unbelievable to you, well, it also seems unbelievable to me. However, upon a little bit of research (thank you internet), I discovered that there are estimates that up to 15,000 Jewish boys hid their identities during the war. I also discovered that some of Perel's fellow students at the Hitler Youth School verified his story and have interacted with him decades after. Very powerful stuff indeed.

Honestly, the story itself is the most extraordinary element of the film. The acting is inconsistent. The pacing is choppy. The direction his competent and there are a few scenes that remain in your mind after the film. Nonetheless, the power of the story involves you to a degree that you overlook the imperfections of the film to appreciate the story.

Having said all of that, the film did not address a huge moral and philosophical question that arises from Solomon Perel's story. I don't think the film needed to address this question, but it inevitably popped into my head early on in the film and has stuck with me throughout the film and ever since.

Does Solomon forfeit his faith or salvation when he openly renounces God's existence, as he does more than once in the film as a part of his cover? Is such a public renouncement unpardonable in God's eyes? Would it be better for him to die than to deny His Creator? Tough question. Let me know if you have any thoughts.

Finally, if you are intrigued by the film or watch it and enjoy it (maybe not the best description), please check out Louis Malle's Au Revoir Les Enfants, probably one of the most harrowing and moving films about the loss of innocence due to WWII.