
TrainsopenswithaquotefromFranzKafka:“Thereisplentyofhope.Aninfiniteamountofhope.Butnotforus.”Thesewordshanglikeadarkcloudoverthisfoundfootagedocumentary,whichcreatesacollectiveportraitofpeoplein20thcenturyEurope,capturingtheirhopes,desires,dramas,andtragedies.<br/> Powerfulscenesshowingsteamlocomotivesandrailroadcarsbeingassembledfeellikeacelebrationofhumaningenuityandlabor.Peopledressedinfestiveattireembarkonarailjourney.Butthesecheerfulscenessoonmakewayformilitarytransport:soldiersbeingdeployedtothefrontlines—quicklyfollowedbyciviliansevacuating,aprocessionofraggedprisoners-of-war,andamputeesoldiers.<br/> Timeschange,thepatternrepeats.Thearchivalmaterialinthiswordlessfilmevokesaninevitablecycleofdelightanddestruction,beautyandbitterness.Theimageofatangleofrailroadtracksandswitchesraisestheinevitablequestion:Whichroutewillhumanitychoose?