EUROPA '51 (Roberto Rossellini, 1952)

The second collaboration between Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman (after STROMBOLI), EUROPA 51 is a provocative, haunting, and compassionate examination of the isolating and often misunderstood path of personal redemption and spiritual service in contemporary society. Composed of alternating sequences of daytime and nighttime episodes (that would be similarly used by Federico Fellini in his subsequent film, LA DOLCE VITA), the film presents a recurring visual dichotomy that illustrates the polarizing division between wealth and poverty, spirituality and materialism, vanity and humility, selfishness and benevolence.

Irene's evening conversation with André that results in her financial assistance of the Puglisi family on the following day; her overnight care for a consumptive prostitute named Ines (Teresa Pellati) after encountering her in the red light district; her return visit to the Puglisi family home on the chaotic night of a bank robbery. Similarly, the Girard family's emotionally reserved and veiled expression of disapproval over Irene's charitable actions over cocktails that contrasts with the festive atmosphere of the Puglisi family's overcrowded apartment as their son returns home from the hospital further reflects Irene's disconnection from her staid, rarefied social environment of the privileged class in postwar Europe, and her gravitation towards a simpler and more nurturing peasant community. In essence, as Irene leads an increasingly humble life of service to humanity, her existence figuratively becomes one of cloistered monasticism. In the exquisite and profoundly moving final sequence, Irene, abandoned by her family, finds solace and renewed purpose in the affectionate cries of her adoring and devoted surrogate family. Framed against the bars of a mental institution, her contemplative image - bathed in sunlight - becomes one, not of captivity, but of benediction and enlightenment. -- © Acquarello 2003


DISC FEATURES

• Restored version of EUROPA '51
  
• Elena Dagrada about the restoration and the differences with the english version
  
• Comparison before/after the restoration
  

INFO
IMDB
DVD Edition


NOTE
There is no menu selection for the english subtitles, you can display them only through the subtitle button/function of your DVD player (software).


LINKS
Get your new links here (the old ones have been deleted by RS):
http://rapidshare.com/files/362405803/eu51links.txt


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