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The Rape of Europa (2006)

Director: Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen, Nicole Newnham

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From Time Out New York

Mona Lisa hid in the French countryside. David was encased in a bombproof brick shelter. They’re two renowned “refugees” in this enlightening new documentary about the fate of Europe’s artwork during World War II. Based on the book by scholar Lynn H. Nicholas and crisply narrated by Joan Allen, the film details how Hitler (an art-school reject) systematically plundered private (often Jewish) collections and public museums while ingenious art-lovers raced to circumvent him; later the Allies unleashed furious bombing campaigns that threatened scores of European monuments. Europa reveals that the survival of our cultural heritage was nothing short of miraculous.

Author: Tom Beer 2007-09-11 23:24:22

Time Out New York Issue 624: September 13–19, 2007

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  • tayiwzu epogdjz said...
    Posted on Feb 20 2008 05:30 cqku xlrmoshuw ibzn xkaeo wcrqe bwqukmln nrlyj
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  • Christopher R. Williams said...
    Posted on Sep 20 2007 16:20 Hitler's Minister of Information and chief propagandist Josef Goebbels once famously said, "Whenever I hear the word 'culture' I draw my pistol." He was referring to National Socialism's desire to bring about a new world order, to get away from the past, and to eradicate all cultures but its own.
    That was the public face of Nazism. And yet on a personal level, Nazis cherished culture, looting paintings, sculpture and other art forms because of their value in financial terms and because Nazis gained a sense of importance from owning the trappings of culture.
    Nazism's lack of moral compass is curious: Propositions were not viewed as true or false; either they promoted Nazi objectives or undermined them. On the surface, "culture" was deplorable because Nazism's goal was to replace history with its "thousand year Reich. " But behind the scenes individual Nazis exalted art as a basis for their own self-worth. That is why lies lay at the heart of Nazism.
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The Rape of Europa

Cast & crew

Director: Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen, Nicole Newnham

Rated: NR

Duration: 117 mins


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