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Summary: Zentropa
Review: The best film that Lars von Trier directed, better than the more well known films"Breaking the Waves"&"Dancer in the Dark".Although the critics didn't pick it up, this film,I believe, must have been influenced by Herman Melville. It has the theme of an innocent man who ends up dead under the water due to his hubris and naivete. It tells the story of Kessler, an American who makes the fateful decision to become a sleeping car conductor in 1945 Germany. He is beset by his cranky uncle who is his superior at work, he is seduced by asympathizing femme fatale, among other events. The movie has both substance and style and is never short of fascinating due both to its plot as well as the directorial technique. The performances are outstanding. It is highly recommended.
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Summary: A milestone in cinema, a gravestone for the human condition
Review: Zentropa is simply the greatest film since "Citizen Kane." An American works as a sleeping-car conductor on a German railroad in late 1945. Viewers should note carefully the course of a dinner conversation early on in the film where neutrality is condemned by a priest: this is the theme of the film, with a profound relevance to today's political events. Try as he might, the American's attempts to be a understanding "nice guy" serve only to tighten the noose. Yet to be passionate and follow one's beliefs wherever they lead is shown to lead to disaster as well. We are doomed to go through the night of mass murder and war if we are to see the light of day.The cinematography, utterly commensurate with the claustrophobic theme, brilliant in its conception, an encyclopedia of noire technique; most of the acting; and the conclusion, rivetingly harrowing as any in cinema--all come together in a magnificent work of art that belongs on the shelf of anyone who understands the power of cinema to speak to the heart and mind co-equally.
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Summary: Follow the river...as days go by.
Review: "You are not free not to choose". Kessler's efforts to remain in gray area makes him the only sinner in a railroad-hypnotic view of Germany right after WWII.
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Summary: This is how movies are made...
Review: "Zentropa" (or "Europa" as it is called in Europe) marks the end of Lars von Trier's (the director) Europe-trilogy, which started in 1986 with "The Element of Crime" followed by "Epedemic". "Zentropa" is a real film-noir in Hitchkock style. The movie, like the rest of the Europe-trilogy, was a co-production between Lars von Trier and Niels Vørsel; both great screenwriters. The thing which is so special about "Zentropa" are: 1) It is made without ANY digital effects. 2) It is shoot in B/W. 3) All importent elements in the movie have colour (a thing Spielberg stole from Trier, when he made "Schientlers List"). 4) It has a great story. 5) It is a Trier film. The cinematography is great, so is the acting; especially Max von S. is great. Also notice that Lars von Trier himself has a small role. If you want to know more about this film, you should read the book "Lars von Triers elements". If you are just looking for some saturdaynight entertaintment...this is not what you want. However if you want so see a quality movie in world class, this is a modern classic... Don't miss it.
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Summary: Lars von Triers'masterpiece
Review: Zentropa is much more than a simple movie. The experience you feel when you are under the control of time in the railroad is a brilliant idea that slowly mesmerizes you in a nightmare of horror, passion and death. Lars von Triers built a story where the anguish, the shame, the memory, the werewolf, the loneliness create an evil atmosphere. The edition is unforgetable, the amazing sincronization between the black and white and color, gradually envolves us and make us descends to the unboreable state of tension And this situation is only generated in another film ·Midnight express . of Alan Parker.
Returning to Zentropa, the sense of guiltness surrounds to our american benefactor who initially seems to be in a redemption state . Every one of his achievements are governed by the ethic . But he doesn't realize how the circunstances slowly are engaging him to the gallow. The relationship between him and his uncle, the epic affair with Barbara Sukova, announces us a fate far away he planned it. The performances are superb. You don't find just a hole. The use of the old fashioned effects is a great tribute to the golden age of mude film. From Griffith to Stroheim through the german expressionism Murnau, Wiene and Lang.
The final sequences are so original,fascinating and so beautifully made , that at the end of film the plot permeates your soul and your psiquis several weeks after.
Triers made Breaking the waves and The element of crime, which define him as a brilliant storyteller , with a visual style like very few directors.
Triers belongs to that elite of directors who see upon their shoulders. Creator in the purest sense of the word.
Don't miss the opportunity of watching this movie. You'll appreciate it several times because it's impact will shock you every time you watch it.
This is a true milestone in the cinema story. Orson Welles wherever he is, will be smiling , because Triers is one of his remarkable descendents.
Rating: 
Summary: Goodtropa
Review: One thing you can say about this film is you have never seen anything like it before. Most chilling is the soundtrack, although Von Trier does overdirect once in a while. I did appreciate this more than his "Breaking the Waves."
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Summary: This is how movies are made...
Review: "Zentropa" (or "Europa" as it is called in Europe) marks the end of Lars von Trier's (the director) Europe-trilogy, which started in 1986 with "The Element of Crime" followed by "Epedemic". "Zentropa" is a real film-noir in Hitchkock style. The movie, like the rest of the Europe-trilogy, was a co-production between Lars von Trier and Niels Vørsel; both great screenwriters. The thing which is so special about "Zentropa" are: 1) It is made without ANY digital effects. 2) It is shoot in B/W. 3) All importent elements in the movie have colour (a thing Spielberg stole from Trier, when he made "Schientlers List"). 4) It has a great story. 5) It is a Trier film. The cinematography is great, so is the acting; especially Max von S. is great. Also notice that Lars von Trier himself has a small role. If you want to know more about this film, you should read the book "Lars von Triers elements". If you are just looking for some saturdaynight entertaintment...this is not what you want. However if you want so see a quality movie in world class, this is a modern classic... Don't miss it.
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Summary: VonTrier's Twisted Vision
Review: The story of an American exile in Germany during the end of WWII. Germany is almost like a ghost town. The only connection to life seemingly being the constant back and forth of the trains which takes people away from their past lives and into unknown territories. The story is very cleverly told, with a voice over narration by Max Von Sydow playing a sort of all mighty hypnotist who decides our principal character's destiny. The film stands out not because of its rather simple tale, but as a visual marvel. Von Trier ("Breaking the Waves") seems to have an inate desire to breakthrough the rules of cinema, and in "Zentropa" (Originally titled "Europa") he comes close to fusing experimental visual imagery with the classic Hollywood narrative. It is a an exhilirating film to watch from beginning down to the very final frame. (Look out for Von Trier himself making a cameo as "the Jew")
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Summary: A total work of cinema...
Review: Zentropa is the antithesis of Dogme 95. Everything in this picture is tweeked and manipulated: sounds, background/foreground, camera angles, light, etc. And von Trier demonstrates his enormous talent for mise-en-scene. There are scenes here that are mindblowing. Again: everything is tweeked for maximum effect. The story is weak and undeveloped. However, this is a monumental picture just because there is so much going on. A feast for the eyes and the intellect.
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Summary: Unforgettable!
Review: This is a film of rare achievenment. The director uses wonderfully imaginative techniques to provide the surreal texture so necessary to the success of this bizarre tale. It is thought-provoking and deeply disturbing, perhaps the more so since it evokes a time within living memory when mankind was forced to confront the ultimate futility of our attempts to create a truly civilized world. It is a pity that this film is so obscure. Taken in the largest context, it raises many poignant questions about our future and is a very fine example of the film-makers art as well.
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