Hitlerjunge Salomon (1990)

Salomon Perel (Marco Hofschneider), oder Sally, wie ihn seine Freunde nennen, verlebt eine glückliche Kindheit. Doch diese bricht ganz unverhofft zusammen, als er eines Tages zum Direktor seiner Schule bestellt wird, der ihm einen Zettel in die Hand drückt und sagt: „Und jetzt raus. Juden haben an unserer Schule nichts mehr zu suchen„. Seine abenteuerliche Odyssee führt ihn zunächst in das polnische Lodz, wo er in den Wirren der Besetzung von seiner Familie getrennt wird. Alleine schlägt sich Sally nach Russland durch, wo er von einer deutschen Patrouille aufgegriffen wird. Geistesgegenwärtig rettet er sich mit der Behauptung ein von den Bolschewicken verschleppter „Volksdeutscher„ zu sein vor dem sicheren Tod. Unter dem Namen Joseph Periel tritt er in den Dienst der Wehrmacht ein, wo er schon bald zum Günstling der Vorgesetzten und Musterschüler der Hitlerjugend-Akademie wird. Bis zum Kriegsende hält er das Versteckspiel durch.

Salomon Perel (Marco Hofschneider), or Sally, as his friends call him, has a happy childhood but this overturns quite unexpectedly, when his schooled director hands him a note pressing hard to his palms and saying, "Out you go... there’s no place for Jews in this institution!” His adventurous Odyssey leads him at first in the Polish Lodz where he is separated from his family out of the confusion of the occupation. All alone, Sally fights through to Russia where he is taken up by a German patrol. With his wit, he alertly escapes death row with the assertion that he is a pure German bred kidnapped by the Bolsheviks. Under the name Joseph Periel he enters into the service of the armed forces where he soon becomes an instant favourite of the superiors and a model student of Hitler Youth Academy. Until the end of the war and his own battle, he only wishes that his true identity remains hidden.

Based on a true story, HITLERJUNGE SALOMON or better known as EUROPA EUROPA is a story of luck, wit and survival. Having outlived the web of obstacles and its consequences, it’s a genuine miracle that the lead character breathes the air longer than life. Brilliantly directed and acted, no doubt the film gained high acclaim and recognition internationally contrary to the reception received from its own soil... but I certainly understand. A MUST SEE!

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EuroTrip (2004)

This is a story about Scott Thomas (Scott Mechlowicz) who is devastated after being dumped by his girlfriend Fiona (Kristin Kreuk) who has been sleeping with the lead singer of a college band (Matt Damon). To avoid more humiliating pains, he joins his three friends -- Cooper Harris (Jacob Pitts), Jenny (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Jamie (Travis Wester) -- travel across Europe in search of his German pen pal Mieke (Jessica Böhrs), whom he initially mistakes for a guy, when "he" is really a girl. Realizing he has feelings for her, they visit London, Paris, Amsterdam, Bratislava, Berlin, and Rome, getting into all manner of awkward and embarrassing situations along the way.

EUROTRIP is a 2004 American comedy that is really surprisingly hilarious and what makes it really funny in general are the wrong notions of Americans about Europe and the Europeans. Unfortunately, it’s not for family viewing as some scenes and some of the languages used are not meant for minors.

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L'Auberge Espagnole (2002)

Xavier (Romain Duris), un jeune homme de vingt-cinq ans, part à Barcelone pour terminer ses études en économie et apprendre l'espagnol. Cette langue est nécessaire pour occuper un poste, que lui promet un ami de son père, au ministère des finances. Mais pour ce faire, il doit quitter sa petite amie Martine, avec qui il vit depuis quatre ans. En Espagne, Xavier cherche un logement et trouve finalement un appartement dans le centre de Barcelone qu'il compte partager avec sept autres personnes. Chacun de ses co-locataires est originaire d'un pays différent.

25-year old Xavier (Romain Duris) leaves for Barcelona to finish his studies in Economics and learn Spanish. The language is prerequisite to fill a post that was promised to him by the Minister of Finance who happens to be a friend of his father. But to do so, he must leave his girlfriend Martine whom he has lived with for four years. In Spain, Xavier seeks accommodation and finally found an apartment in central Barcelona which he shares with seven other people -- all originating from different countries in Europe.

L'AUBERGE ESPAGNOLE which literally translates to THE SPANISH INN in English and titled EURO PUDDING internationally, is funny, unique, authentic, interesting, witty and absolutely exceptional. It clearly showed the life of an outsider amongst other outsiders in a foreign land. Indeed, a very enjoyable film!

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LaLehet Al HaMayim (2003) ללכת על המים

אייל, סוכן מוסד, מקבל הוראה "ללוות" את אקסל, שבא לבקר את אחותו שבחרה לגור בארץ. אקסל הוא נכדו של פושע נאצי שמדינת ישראל לא ויתרה על ניסיונותיה ללכוד אותו ולהעמידו לדין. אייל ואקסל מטיילים בארץ, ובמהלך הטיול מתחילה להירקם מערכת יחסים וחברות אשר במהלכה מגלה כל אחד את המורכבות שבקשר, את השפעת הזיכרון והעבר המעיק, ואת הצורך להמשיך וליצוק תוכן ומהות לחייהם כאנשים צעירים.

Eyal (Lior Ashkenazi), grew up to be a tough Israeli "Mossad" agent. Axel (Knut Berger) is a sweet natured German gay man, and the grandson of a famous Nazi thought still to be living secretly somewhere in South America. When Axel comes to Israel to visit his sister, who has rebelliously left her family, Eyal is assigned to be his tour guide, as part of a "Mossad" last attempt to find Axel's grandfather. The two travel throughout Israel together and an unexpected close friendship develops. The unfamiliar emotions the men experience in Israel are merely an introduction to the trying and challenging events awaiting them later in Germany, when Eyal "visits" Axel in Berlin. A visit that forces each of them to face and question the meaning and the kind of life they lead.

ללכת על המים, internationally known as WALK ON WATER, phonetically read as LALEHET AL HAMAYIM in Hebrew, it is a film of intelligent direction and story. Some critiques found its ending implausible but to me, it's the exact contrast. If they only paid attention to every line that has been uttered by each actor, I am sure they'll take back their cynical views. If only the two lead actors went further than their close friendship, I am sure that it would bring so much more excitement to the film.

(In HEBREW, ENGLISH & GERMAN with ENGLISH subtitles)

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Eduart (2006)

Ο EDUARΤ, ένας νέος άνθρωπος που έχει μεγαλώσει σ’ ένα καταπιεστικό και σκληρό οικογενειακό περιβάλλον, εγκαταλείπει την πατρίδα του με το όνειρο να γίνει ροκ τραγουδιστής και να γνωρίσει μια άλλη ζωή. Η ορμή και τα πάθη της ηλικίας του τον οδηγούν στο έσχατο των εγκλημάτων. Μια νύχτα, με την ευκολία του ανθρώπου που δεν έχει ηθικά στηρίγματα, διαπράττει φόνο. Κυνηγημένος απ’ όλους και από τον ίδιο του τον εαυτό, φυλακίζεται κάτω από απίστευτα σκληρές συνθήκες. Η γνωριμία του με έναν Γερμανό γιατρό βγάζει στην επιφάνεια την ενοχή που έκρυβε βαθειά μέσα του. Ο EDUARΤ ομολογεί το έγκλημά του και η βαθειά του μεταμέλεια τον οδηγεί από το σκοτάδι στο φως. Ως σύγχρονος Ρασκόλνικοφ περνά από το έγκλημα στην "τιμωρία",τολμώντας να φωνάξει την ενοχή του.

Eduart (Eshref Durmishi), a young man raised in a cruel and oppressive family environment, leaves Albania with the dream of becoming a rock star and living a better life. His reckless character and the passions of his youth lead him to commit a murder in Athens. Chased by everyone, even by his own self, he is imprisoned under the harshest conditions. Eduart, with the help of a German doctor, learns to feel sympathy for others and guilt for his crime. His deep remorse will lead him from darkness to light. Like the Dostoevskian hero Raskolnikov, Eduart passes from crime to punishment, by daring to admit his guilt.

Based on a true story, EDUART is a German-Greek production about redemption, friendship and exploitation. Winning the Best Greek Film at the 2006 Thessaloniki Film Festival and the official film submission of Greece at Oscar's, this well-directed piece only confirms that in life, miracles do exist.

(In GREEK with ENGLISH subtitles)

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