Europa, also known as Zentropa in Europe, is a 1991 Danish-German co-production film directed by Lars von Trier. The movie is a black and white neo-noir thriller set in post-World War II Europe.
The protagonist is played by Jean-Marc Barr, who portrays Leopold Kessler, a young American man of German descent who travels to his ancestral homeland in the aftermath of the war. He gets a job as a sleeping car conductor for the Zentropa railway line, a company owned by the enigmatic Hartmann family. He quickly falls in love with the daughter of the railway owner, Katharina (Barbara Sukowa), but soon realizes that their romance will be complicated by the turbulent political situation in Germany.
Europa is a film that explores themes like guilt, betrayal, and the rise of totalitarianism in post-war Germany. The story is narrated by Max von Sydow, who acts as a sort of omniscient commentator, guiding the viewer through the surreal and often disconcerting events that take place on screen.
One of the most striking features of Europa is its visual style. The film was shot using a variety of experimental techniques, such as rear projection, superimposition, and negative imagery, which create a dreamlike atmosphere that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. The movie's soundtrack, composed by Joachim Holbek, is also noteworthy, using a mix of jazz, classical, and electronic music to great effect.
Overall, Europa is a movie that challenges the viewer with its bold, avant-garde approach to storytelling, while also delivering a powerful message about the dangers of fascism and xenophobia in a world still reeling from the horrors of war.