Trains

• Maciej J. Drygas
• 81 min
• Poland
• 2024
• Documentary

A monumental and masterfully crafted archival documentary about trains – both as a revolutionary feat of technology and a key instrument of destruction in 20th-century Europe.

“There is plenty of hope. An infinite amount of hope. But not for us.” With this haunting Kafka quote, Maciej J. Drygas sets the tone for his majestic magnum opus. From there, no more words – just the immersive visuals, stunning sound design, and evocative score taking center stage.

Drygas has unearthed archival footage from around the globe, weaving together a sweeping black-and-white journey through Europe’s dreams and nightmares along its railways. Steam engines are assembled with meticulous precision, travelers gaze out at picturesque landscapes, but the idyll soon gives way to soldiers bound for the front, civilians fleeing war, and prisoners herded into cattle cars.

Trains is a powerful allegory of modernity’s promises and perils – a gripping and unforgettable cinematic experience, honored with the top prize at the documentary festival IDFA in Amsterdam.

- Johan Blomqvist

• Dokumentär
• Film om film
• Krig
• Resa
• Historia
• Omskakande