The spectre of World War II and the impact of the Nazis in Europe has been documented over and over on film. The Rape of Europa offers a new and compelling chapter to the canon - the impact on the continent's art. Usually only receiving a passing reference, the impact of the War on Western Civilization's greatest art was devastating. This documentary tells the story of how the art was protected, destroyed, or pillaged - all in powerful style. Click below for more on EUROPA:
The film considers the role of fine art in the collective conscious of civilized society and what that means in the face of battle. Do you bomb a building containing the world's greatest art if it will save 1 life? 2 lives? Why are people who ordinarily don't care about fine art suddenly feel compelled to protect it?
The film has lots of great archival photos and video that I have never seen before, including lots on Leningrad and the great thief (among other sins) Herman Goerring. This is a very interesting film on its surface and also for its meditations on the role of art in the world.
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