Europa centrale

A watched this film in Italy in the theatre and I have to say that I was entertained and educated at the same time. In fact this film regards to an historical period in Europe that, being American, I didn't study enough. I understand Italian of course, but I write this review in English hoping that the film would be distributed internationally as well and, of course, in the USA. Shot almost entirely inside a train in 1940, this courageous film tells of the tensions among the ideologies that caused the Second World War that are incarnated by the different characters of the film. Good acting, great direction, superb scoring for this "Opera Prima" of director Minucci.

Europa Centrale is a crude drama, a strong statement loaded with pathos and tension. Shot on train travelling in 1940, Europa Centrale is a film worth watching above all for those who love psychological contents that is this film mirror the feel and the thoughts of a dark era. Visually chiseled in every detail and in the framing that seems to investigate the deepest folds of the characters. The high tension that runs through the entire film is sustained by the exceptional scoring of Preisner. A good screenplay that maybe is played a little bit too over the top. Good direction overall for this original opera prima of director Minucci.

This film is a gem for many reasons: for the masterful direction, the good acting, the superlative scoring and last but not least for the difficult theme it deals with. Yes because Europa Centrale deals with the worst that we, as human beings, have to offer to our human fellows. Deceptions, abuse, meanness, rage, anger are all human attitudes that this film explores inside a frame, a context of fear typical of the darkest periods of history. And it's like a psychoanalytic session pigeonholed in a train that runs towards a catastrophic end. Ideologies can create monsters and surely the male characters of this film have traits of the them. Liberation can occur through the light and lightness of the feminine part of the human soul. One of the best Italian films of this year.

Money well spent at the theatre for this very original film, which is the debut of Italian director Minucci. The fears, the "skeletons in the closet" of the male characters tell of a dark era of the past century, only partially lit by the flame of female strength, courage and resilience. A film that tries to deal with many themes (maybe too many) mostly ideological and psychological once and that reveals the skills of this director that, for budget reasons I supposed, had to shoot it entirely on a train. A good cinematic experience that lovers of films about the Second World War cannot miss. Congratulations to the whole Europa Centrale team!