Review of the documentary The Rape of Europa

   World War II history fascinates me to no end. The turmoil and devastation directly influenced the paternal side of my family profoundly, sending my then teenage grandmother, her brothers and her parents as well as thousands of their fellow Lithuanians on a meandering, 8 years long path to the Midwest region of the US. I have heard the stories surrounding this journey countless times throughout my life. However, only in the last 5 years or so, have I taken a sincere interest in the immeasurable extent of the War on the world, specifically the whole of the European continent and its effected neighbors.
   I came upon the 2007 documentary The Rape of Europa while scanning through Netflix the other day. Chronicling the Nazi plundering of major works of art and the efforts to save them, the film gives viewers a in-depth look at WWII history from an art-lover's perspective. The atrocities committed against humanity are never downplayed in importance. Rather, this documentary brings light to the plight and dedication of those striving to bring masterpieces of the world out of the darkness of war and give them back to humanity. The narrative weaves together photographs, video recordings, witness testimonials, and art and war historians' discussions to create a relatively comprehensive picture of this particular history. Perhaps due to the limited running time of the film, its scope may not be as far-ranging as I would like, and the lack of racial and ethnic diversity among the story-tellers and experts is questionable. What of the destruction, theft, and restoration efforts in the Middle East? Egypt and northern Africa? It is true that these many of these countries are not part of Europe-proper, but these are still quite stark omissions. 
   Despite its limitations, I would recommend The Rape of Europa if one wishes to gain more perspective on the far-reaching effects of the war not always discussed. The importance of art for humanity should never be denied. Listening to the witness testimonials, viewers certainly can see how sincerely affecting art has the potential to be to individuals and the whole of the human race.