The film ‘The Rape of Europa’ is based on a book written by Lynn H. Nicholas. The film that was written, produced and directed by a team of three including Richard Berge, Nicole Newman and Bonni Cohen tells of the story when the European culture was at mercy of the Nazi regime. The film narrates the story of systematic and unjust actions of the Nazis who pillaged and plundered Europe in search of art. The film covers interesting material with the Nazis playing the central role in it. It brings forth the outcome of vengeance as portrayed by Hitler and the impact of racism on the existence of culture. Racism and vengeance as depicted by ‘The Rape of Europa’ created more cultural havoc but still could not erase Europe’s culture from existence. The film takes us into the violent whirlwind of warfare and greed that threatens the existence of Europe’s artistic heritage. The film portrays a struggle that existed for about 12 years where the Nazis massively destroyed and looted art. It begins and ends with the story of the famed Gold Portrait belonging to Gustav Klimt.
Hitler’s Vengeance and the eminence of culture
The deliberate destructions of art as is portrayed in the film arise from his vengeance. Hitler having been an ambitious painter during his youth decided to make an application to the art school in Vienna but was however rejected. This kind of rejection did not sit well with him. Moreover, his hatred for the Jews made him believe that modern art represented the Jewish people and was more decadent. Despite his poor taste in art, Hitler had a soft spot for heroic Nordic supermen and women in style of Uber-Kitsch. It was his racism nature that made him order the destruction of countless art which represented Europe diverse culture. The racism and nepotism nature that existed among the Germans made them treat cities like Krakow and Warsaw differently because of its Germanic art. The documentary begins with the loss of Gustav Klimt’s ‘Gold Portrait of Frau Bloch Bauer,’ which was initially stolen from the Jews. Culture in engraved and more often than not becomes part of an individual’s way of living. It is through this fact that some of Europe’s art was saved. This can be seen in film which indicates the heroic move of some of the young professionals, truck drivers as well as department clerks who fought back the Nazis to safeguard, return and even rescue many of the lost, stolen and hidden treasures.
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Some of the paintings reappear in galleries and museums in both Europe and America, indicating that culture can never be erased. The end of the film shows that art is recovered and the rightful owners have the power to restitute their ownership. More than five decades later nations are still feeling the repercussions of the war. Families like that of Gustav Klimt are recovering some of the stolen pieces while the conservators work to the damage caused by the war. The actions of the Nazis can still be felt by many nations today who are still fighting over the fate of the stolen goods.
The story seemed rushed with some parts of it indicating that there is the need for more information. For instance, The Monuments Men, whose mission was to recover and restore the stolen art could have been elongated to portray the challenges they faced. That specific part can easily be made into another documentary on its own. Nonetheless, Joan Allen makes a good effort of narrating the breathtaking chronicle about the survival of the Western culture. Through the film, the audience learns of the outlasting nature of culture.
