the rape of europa: a feel good film

Raphael's Portrait of a young man - still missing

 I usually have a rotating film that acts as my "feel good" movie of the month, or week, or what have you.  A film that I can sit down and watch several times without getting bored, that clears my mind, that makes me feel a strong emotion, that makes me feel better for watching.  When you hear my current choice you may think I'm crazy...but let me explain.

My current feel good film is The Rape of Europa.  Now, if you've never heard of this film, let me quickly say the title can be misleading.  It is a documentary film that chronicles the history of the vast amounts of art treasures and monuments that were looted, hidden, destroyed etc through the second world war.  It is based off the book by the same title, written by Lynn H. Nicholas.  As the website puts it, "In a journey through seven countries, the film takes the audience into the violent whirlwind of fanaticism, greed, and warfare that threatened to wipe out the artistic heritage of Europe."

If you have any interest whatsoever in art, or history, or art history you SHOULD see this film.  If you have any interest in human tragedy, injustice, and humanity and cultures ability to survive against the odds you SHOULD see this film.  If you are a human being you SHOULD see this film.  I love this film THAT MUCH.

I first saw this film when it aired on the local PBS network when I lived in Philadelphia.  In more recent months,  I have watched it a few more times.  I'm kind of a nerd when it comes to history, especially when told through a non traditional angle.  I'm also a big fan of the arts.  So this movie is perfect for me.  It tells a very different side of world war two, compared to  what you hear in an average world history class.  You may recall from world history that Hitler was a painter, and at one point applied to and was rejected from art school.  That event was pivotal in his life, and is central to the tales told in the film.

I don't want to geek out, or tell you the whole story.  Just go watch it yourself.  If you have netflix, it's on instant play.

You still may be wondering why for me, it is a feel good film.  I don't really know except to say that it reminds me and teaches me about humanity, about the role the arts and cultural heritage play in our lives.  It recalls a number of moving stories about average people in extraordinary circumstances.  It makes me cry, breaks my heart, and then lifts me up again.  It reminds me there is life beyond me, lived before me, and will be lived after me.  It takes me outside of my own anxiety, and petty worries. 

I wholeheartedly reccomend it.  Go watch it, and let me know what you think. 

What's your feel good movie right now?

Until Then.


I love you.