“DYSFUNCTIONAL INNOCENCE”
Starring: Christian Friedel, Leonie Benesch, Ursina Lardi Susanne Lothar, Steffi Kuhnert, Ulrich Tukur, Leonard Proxauf and Burghart Klaussner
Directed by: Michael Haneke
MPAA Rating: Rated R for some disturbing content involving violence and sexuality
Genre: Foreign, Drama, German with subtitiles
By John Delia
It’s almost strange to see a back and white film these days, but The WhiteRibbon could not have been as entertaining in color in which it was originally shot. In B&W we are able to feel the chill exuded by the disturbing plot and envision the era wrought with tough times. Taking on a great deal of angst the storyline tends to bring one down however, so be prepared to deal with the dark mood.
The film takes place in a rural German village just prior to World War I. Through the voice of an aged Schoolteacher he recalls the happenings in the town that include deaths, kidnappings, fires and beatings. The story is presented as if the man were letting out a secret that the people kept among themselves over so many years. As he tells the story it melds into the action of the film and we see the horrors that took place as acted out on the screen.
A baron rules much of the village as he is the landowner and carries much of the authority. All seems in order until strange things start to occur; the town’s doctor gets hospitalized when his horse hits a trip-wire, an accidental death of a farmer’s wife follows, the farmer’s husband hangs himself and a child is found bound and whipped are just the start of the incidents that play out in the story. In the midst of all the happenings is a very nice love story between The Schoolteacher and Eva. When The Schoolteacher starts investigating the events the doors to the perpetrator(s) start to open.
Although the movie is visually amazing there are downsides to the film; too many lead characters, stories that are left without resolve, many confusing clues and the audience is left with trying to figure it all out.
The acting by the ensemble cast is very good and if you look at the film as a slice of German life during some hard times, The White Ribbon is entertaining. For those who are strong followers of foreign filmmakers like Haneke, students of film and those that want ‘different’, this film is sure to please.
The film is rated R for some disturbing content involving violence and sexuality. The White Ribbon is presented in German with English Subtitles, however I found that having to read distracted me from the talented acting and cinematography.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A disturbing film without resolve. (3 of 5 Palm Trees)
FEATURED BIO FROM THE FILM
Director/Writer Michael Haneke has directed and written 22 films many of which have won or have been nominated for awards from prestigious groups like Cannes Film Festival, European Film Academy, many film circles, film festivals, Independent Spirit Awards and many more. He has been honored at Cannes for the films Funny Games (1997), a drama starring Juliette Binoche called Code Unknown (2000), a romantic drama The Piano Teacher (2001) starring Isabelle Huppert, the mystery thriller Cache (2005) and The White Ribbon (2009). His film The White Ribbon was recently nominated for two Oscars including Best Foreign Film.