Film club just finished sadistic Michael Hanekes Amour. Contrary to this genius Austrian directors description, he continues to win award after award, mostly the Palm dOr (Das weiße Band - Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte [2009]; also nominated for the Palm dOr for La pianiste (GERMAN, ITALIAN)[2001], Funny Games (GERMAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN)[1997], Code inconnu: Récit incomplet de divers voyages (MALINKA, ROMANIAN, FRENCH, GERMAN, ENGLISH, ARABIC, FRENCH SIGN LANGUAGE)[2000]. Funny Games and Code Unknown are my last two Hanekes to burn through. I will most likely visit Funny Games as soon as possible, followed by the extravagant Code Unknown last. Amour rubs one as terrifyingly as Bergmans Cries & Whispers [1972]. In fact, both share a similar fate: sharing nominations in their respective years for best director, best screenwriter, and best picture. The difference being that Bergmans lifelong cinematographer Sven Nykvist won the Oscar for Best Cinematography while Hanekes Amour won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film. RECOMMENDATION: U.S. audiences typically will not find this one amusing. This is most definitely a foreign audience and critics only film. If you are looking for a romantic evening with the spouse, please, I repeat, please do not watch this film. Amour and Cries & Whispers share one common trait, being one of the most uncomfortable films to sit through of all time: an unsettling nightmare that does not stop until you are awake, pajamas soaked in cold sweat, the only possible remedy being a shower, warm milk with honey. If however, you are lacking shrink appointments, and want to unearth repressed terrors from the past, then this is straight up your alley!!
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 00:19:13 +0000
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