“Trains” is a poignant documentary composed entirely of archival footage and a meticulously crafted soundscape.

The raw power of the archival footage speaks for itself, allowing the audience to form their own intimate connection with the past. Sourced from 46 global archives and masterfully edited, the film offers a wordless journey through the 20th century, depicting humanity’s cycles of war, fleeting peace, and inevitable tragedy. Between wars, brief moments of serene, beautiful life emerge – where nothing hints at the horrors of the past or the looming catastrophes ahead. And yet, history repeats itself, as step by step, society is drawn back into bloody conflict. In today’s reality, where similar patterns are reappearing, “Trains” is a stark reminder of our failure to learn from the past or foresee the future.

Marianna Kaat