Overview
A gripping tale of survival and identity during one of history's darkest times.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- ironic
- tragic
- historical film night
- serious weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's tense, multifaceted Holocaust survival story, ironic handling of absurdity, and ability to make historical persecution immediate through specific personal details.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Solomon hides his Jewish identity by posing as a German orphan and later entering the Hitler Youth.
The film balances Nazi persecution and Holocaust danger with the absurdity of Solomon being celebrated as a German war hero.
Solomon's adolescence unfolds through displacement, concealment, indoctrination, and constant threat during World War II.
Solomon must suppress his Jewish identity while navigating German institutions and wartime social expectations.
Films like Europa Europa, and why
The Pianist
shared world war ii setting, Jewish survival narrative, moral tension, and historical drama
Life Is Beautiful
shared Holocaust subject, coming-of-age perspective, survival under Nazi persecution, and wrenching historical drama
The Counterfeiters
shared wartime identity concealment, suspenseful survival structure, and morally complex historical drama
Son of Saul
shared Holocaust trauma, Jewish identity, and intimate focus on survival amid Nazi violence
Movie Details
- Director
- Agnieszka Holland
- Release Date
- 1990-11-14
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (291)
Cast
- Marco Hofschneider
- André Wilms
- Ashley Wanninger
- Klaus Abramowsky
- Michèle Gleizer
- Delphine Forest
- René Hofschneider
- Julie Delpy
- Hanns Zischler
- Martin Maria Blau
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Europa Europa about?
- A Jewish teenager survives Nazi persecution by impersonating a German orphan, only to be absorbed into the Hitler Youth and forced to perform the identity that keeps him alive.
- What is Europa Europa like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Europa Europa as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Europa Europa violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Europa Europa as moderate.
- What did critics think of Europa Europa?
- Critics broadly praised the film's tense, multifaceted Holocaust survival story, ironic handling of absurdity, and ability to make historical persecution immediate through specific personal details.
- Which films are like Europa Europa?
- Films with a similar feel include The Pianist, Life Is Beautiful, The Counterfeiters, and Son of Saul.
- How long is Europa Europa?
- Europa Europa runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch Europa Europa?
- In United States, Europa Europa streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
