While I've never been a particular fan of Austrian director Michael Haneke - more often than not I feel as though he talks down to his audience - there's no denying his position as one of the world's leading auteurs, a status reinforced by his latest effort, period set thriller The White Ribbon, winning the prestigious Palme D'Or at Cannes. Here's how the big fest summarizes the film:
A village in Protestant northern Germany. 1913-1914. On the eve of World War I. The story of the children and teenagers of a choir run by the village schoolteacher, and their families: the baron, the steward, the pastor, the doctor, the midwife, the tenant farmers. Strange accidents occur and gradually take on the character of a punishment ritual. Who is behind it all?
With the film's theatrical release coming up in Germany, the first theatrical trailer has just arrived. Haneke's stark black and white photography is gorgeous to look at, the matching of the old style visuals and Haneke's very contemporary, very clinical style make for a sharp contrast. I certainly like what I'm seeing so far ...
Check the trailer below the break!
Well, I wasn't expecting that.