Two films in Gitai's Neo-Fascist Trilogy explore the "social archeology" of the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy. In the Valley of the Wupper (France, 1993) investigates the brutal barroom murder by two skinheads of a man thought to be a Jew. Gitai interviews local residents, the public prosecutor, young Germans, and the parents of one of the skinheads. "The film burns with a smouldering anger tinged with sadness as Gitai, with merciless lucidity, traces the contours of the murkier tendencies corroding many parts of Europe (not just Germany)." (Paul Willemen) In the Name of the Duce (France/Italy, 1994) charts the Naples mayorial candidacy of Alessandra Mussolini, granddaughter of Benito. Through layered and compressed images, Gitai connects the neo-fascist Alleanza Nazionale party to the fascism of Benito Mussolini. "Made at a time when Italy's neo-fascist party has entered the government and is making political overtures to Israel, this is one of the most direct challenges on film to those who choose to forget the past." (Deborah Young, Variety)