Cannes 2009 Day 8: Haneke Passes Down ‘The White Ribbon’ to Future Generations

It’s not the kids, but the adults who are lacking in moral fiber in Michael Haneke‘s The White Ribbon, a picture that is a departure for a director who would normally be a little bit more savage with his characters. Set in a small village where nothing goes unnoticed, this precursor to the WWI toils with the idea that the innocent are victim to iron hands. A late night screening of this b&w film provided many zzz’s for the tired festival goers, literally both sides and the back of me were counting sheep. Filmed briefly during the winter and mostly during the warmer months, the monotone quality of the picture allows subtitles of the multiple mysteries – its like a game of Clue with more set pieces. Look fo my full review coming soon.