In a village in northern Germany, on the eve of the first world war, the children and their families experience a series of bizarre incidents that inexplicably assume the characteristics of a punishment ritual. Who could be responsible for such bizarre transgressions? Michael Haneke (Hidden, Code Unknown, The Piano Teacher) brings us an intriguing and highly cinematic film, a look at the roots of indoctrination, “a complete work of cinema, at once engaging and ingenious” (Little White Lies). Winner of the Cannes Palme d’Or last year and shortlisted for the 2010 Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography.
“A creepy masterwork of immense subtlety.”
Sight & Sound
Michael Haneke / Germany 2009 / 143 min TBC / German with subtitles / cert: 15
Post-screening comments:
“A film that will leave me thinking until the next one. Keep it up.”
“Very unusual – want to read up about the film”
“Unremitting gloom”
“Extremely good film”
“Traumatic stuff indeed”
“Very grim!”
“A gripping well told story”
“Depressing”
“Still don’t know who’s done it!”
“What was the white ribbon about?”