Michael Haneke is a serious film-maker. He presents his films like a thesis: composed, somewhat intellectual and designed to provoke debate, but rather heavy-going and clinical, to the extent the general public would rather opt for a quick airport novel to read instead. But if you do fancy something a bit more challenging, why not give these a go.
In Haneke’s best film Hidden (Caché), Parisien couple Georges and Anne (Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche) are disturbed to find someone has been making surveillance tapes of them, which are then delivered to them anonymously. Since the tapes are not explicitly threatening, the police won’t investigate further, but Georges begins to suspect they are related to events from his past and determines to find the culprit himself. All the ingredients for an intriguing thriller, then, but naturally Haneke has more on his mind than mere thrills. This is actually a metaphorical and political allegory about the crimes visted by colonial powers upon repressed nations and people, with themes of voyeurism, guilt and terrorism running throughout. Yeah, bet you weren’t expecting that! Anyway, even if you can’t be bothered with such lofty trifles, it’s still a fine thriller, with the unnervingly long static camera shots, coupled with the absence of a soundtrack, making for unsettling viewing (is this partly because we are so used to fast editing and background music in most films we see nowadays?). The tension is increased by the excellent performances of Binoche & Auteuil and it has one terrific out-of-the-blue shock moment. However, the deliberately vague ending will leave many frustrated and Haneke may in fact have done himself a disservice as many viewers will be left puzzling over ‘whodunnit’ instead of considering the deeper issues that Haneke obviously feels are more important than the thriller aspect of the film.
So there you have it, three films which might leave you scratching your head a bit, but at least you can be relieved you don’t have to answer any exam questions on them. Unless you do, of course, in which case….revise for another question.