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.

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“A creepy masterwork of immense subtlety.”
Sight & Sound

Michael Haneke / Germany 2009 / 143 min TBC / German with subtitles / cert: 15