THE GREAT EUROPEAN CIGARETTE MYSTERY | HOW BIG TOBACCO BOUGHT BRUSSELS

Cinemavixion Review

In "The Great European Cigarette Mystery," Danish filmmakers Mads Brügger and Mikael Bertelsen craft a darkly humorous and suspenseful documentary that masterfully blends political thriller with gonzo journalism. The film plunges into the heart of the European Union to unravel a complex web of corruption, cover-ups, and conspiracy, sparked by the abrupt resignation of Maltese EU Commissioner John Dalli amidst accusations of ties to Big Tobacco. What begins as an investigation into a scandal morphs into a labyrinthine quest, as the filmmakers encounter secret informants, shadowy surveillance, and cryptic recordings, hinting at a far more sinister plot. Undeterred by the prevailing silence in Brussels, Brügger and Bertelsen broaden their scope to an older, equally perplexing case: the mysterious death of EU official Antonio Quatraro in the 1990s, who was also implicated in tobacco-related corruption. The documentary probes the circumstances of Quatraro's demise, questioning whether it was suicide or something more sinister, and exploring its potential connection to the erosion of transparency within the EU. What emerges is a surreal and unsettling journey that traverses the opulent corridors of EU power and the secluded secrecy of a Caribbean island. The film courageously confronts uncomfortable questions about the pervasive influence of Big Tobacco and the ease with which powerful institutions can obscure inconvenient truths. "The Great European Cigarette Mystery" is more than just a film about cigarettes; it is a penetrating examination of the machinery of power, the vulnerability of democratic processes, and the profound personal cost of pursuing truth in an environment shrouded in deception and manipulation. With its unexpected twists, absurd moments, and a distinct noir sensibility, the documentary offers a compelling and revealing look at the world of smoke and mirrors.