Set in Germany in 1913, Haneke’s Palme d’Or winner The White Ribbon recounts a series of unsettling acts of violence inflicted on members of a small community. Haunting black and white cinematography and an excellent cast add to the pervading feeling of terror and mistrust among the villagers where even the community’s youngsters are not above suspicion.
Reviews
“Immaculately crafted in beautiful black-and-white and entirely absorbing” Todd McCarthy, Variety
“With this new film, Michael Haneke returns to his classic themes of guilt, denial and violence as the mysterious symptom of mass dysfunction. […] The White Ribbon has an absolute confidence and mastery of its own cinematic language, and the performances Haneke elicits from his first-rate cast, particularly the children, are eerily perfect.” Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
“It’s his least aggressive and most mature film – a masterpiece from a director who is increasingly making a habit of them.” Dave Calhoun, Time Out
Awards
Cannes Film Festival ’09 – WINNER
– Cinema Prize of the French National Education System (Michael Haneke)
– FIPRESCI Prize Competition (Michael Haneke)
– Golden Palm (Michael Haneke)
Golden Globes – WINNER
– Best Foreign Language Film