25 Films, 25 Visions of Europe

Gina Telaroli March 3, 2008 | 10:08 am EST

If you’re looking for a way to learn how Europeans feel about their country and their continent, who better to ask than filmmakers from each and every country in the European Union. Well back in 2004 somebody did just that and Visions of Europe came to be. For the series, one prominent filmmakers from each EU country was asked to make a 5 minute film on “the current state of Europe.”

The directors included Austria’s Barbara Albert, Germany’s Fatih Akin, Finland’s Aki Kaurismaki Denmark’s Christoffer Boe, The UK’s Peter Greenaway and the Netherlands Theo van Gogh What resulted was a telling look at the political and personal landscape of Europe since the EU came to be.

One of my favorite examples came from Hungarian master Bela Tarr and I’ve posted it below along with the cute, but nonetheless poignant example from Slovenia (Damjan Kozole).

Hopefully watching the films will inspire you to in your own area and write about or make a video about what’s happening around you.