Wednesday, July 21, 2010

from children to Nazis



I watched Austrian filmmaker, Michael Haneke's, The White Ribbon, 2009, this week and it's been haunting me for days. In fact, I think I might just have to watch it again, before I mail it back to Netflix. It's the account of a series of mysterious bits of sabotage, in a rural village in northern Germany in 1913, each directed at three powerful community leaders, the doctor, the baron, and the pastor. Though subtle, this film packs a serious punch. Details are deliberately left unanswered, which makes it eerily unsettling.

The movie was filmed in luminous black and white 1080p high definition, which very effectively lends to the psychological darkness of the film. It also has the feel of a classic film, without losing the brilliant range of blacks to gray scale, and pops with crisp chiaroscuro.

Although neither Nazism or Fascism is mentioned, the film gives much insight into their origins through the religious extremism and political terrorism which reigns rampant in this rural community. It's interesting to note the village pastor ties white ribbons on the arms of his children, as a form of punishment, and to remind them of righteous living, yet there is something very evil happening under the guise of purity. Historically, this same core group, 20 years later, turns to National Socialism, and takes on the black ribbon as the symbol of totalitarianism.

This movie has an evocative, chilling Ingmar Bergman feel to it. Don't look for a happy ending here. It's deep, intelligent and troubling. Add it to your queue and tell me if you don't end up thinking about it for days...or maybe even weeks.


The White Ribbon won the Palme d'Or for best film, and at the 67th Golden Globe Awards the film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

56 comments:

  1. I think Germany in 1913 must have been a really weird place. Putting this film on my netflix list asap.

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  2. Wow! That looks very interesting. The fact that they're using "God's Word Is Our Great Heritage" behind it in German is intriguing. I'm about ready to sign back up on Netflix and this will be on my list.
    Thanks!

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  3. You know Willow, you are the reason I renewed my Netflix subscription. This one, well you had me at "black and white".

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  4. Oh, I saw the trailer for this at our local repertory theatre, but I don't know if I want to see it. It looks stunning, but what I've read about it makes me think, "nightmare city" and I'm having enough trouble with insomnia as it is! I am definitely intrigued, mind you.

    Kat

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  5. I'm interested, but not until we've moved back to the US. I have trouble seeing films like this while living here. Looks like it would make me moody and broody for a while.

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  6. oh man...between you and tony...i definitely want to see this one...

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  7. Brian, I know! When Tony posted on it, I almost fell off my chair, since it's been on my mind all week. Eerie how synchronicity happens in the blogosphere.

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  8. Willow, synchronicity continues on....I just saw this last week.....and I did watch it twice... as emotionally disturbing as it was.... a powerful film - a disturbing one....but an insightful one.

    Hugs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. Robin, you, too?! Amazing how we're on the same wave length.

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  10. Thank you for flagging this one up, willow. I'll be looking out for it.

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  11. Yea, Willow its strange we should both mention it today.
    The Black+White makes lots of points.Indeed the strong characters themselves live strictly black + white.Colour is Forbidden!
    Also everybody seems to fear the absence.indeed , the doctor is finally blamed because he disapears.
    Sadly, this movie says as much about The Modern world as it does about Pre-War Germany.

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  12. Tony, oh, I totally agree. Sadly, it says much so about society in general.

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  13. Dear Willow, I had the opportunity to see this film very recently but, after much internal debate I decided against seeing it. Your review confirms that my decision may have been good for me since I anticipated being troubled by it for some time afterwards.

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  14. willow thanks for this review / suggestion. i've reached the pojnt in my holidays where i can actually slow down and sit long enough to watch something requiring attention. this looks like it really deserves it! steven

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  15. Oh, Willow--that sounds so frightening. One wonders how things got the way they were then.

    My Dad fought in WW2, was interred in a Nazi war camp. Saw things no person should ever see.

    They still scar him today.

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  16. This movie looks intriguing to say the least. Thanks for pointing it out to us!

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  17. Edith, it's troubling in an eerie and thought provoking way, with unresolved mysteries and human cruelties. It's done in a very masterful way, without a lot of graphic violence.

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  18. So I had better see this.........
    I have heard such good things about it
    I understand it is pretty disturbing but will keep you posted......

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  19. I haven't heard of this movie, but will add it to my "to see" list.

    Just watched "Inception" last night. Curious about the buzz and love the director/writer/producer, Christopher Nolan.

    It was a packed theater on a Tuesday night. Quite a film. And Leonardo is captivating.

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  20. Terresa, so you liked Inception? I'm not a big sci-fi fan, but maybe I should see it?

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  21. I will put that onto my Netflix Que had not heard of it, and it looks wonderful...

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  22. Growing up in England in the 70's i had a lot of nightmares about Nazi Germany, for some reason "the War" still seemed fresh.... but I'll give this a try because of your review...

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  23. Just a note of clarification here, Peeps. The White Ribbon is not a war film, not about Nazis. It's set in pre-war 1913 Germany.

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  24. I think I would watch it if it comes on cable.

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  25. In reading this it reminds me of a book by Scott Peck - author of "The Road Less Traveled" ..it is called "People of the Lie" both from the 90's .. a psychologists view of evil disguised as good in our daily lives through case studies.. the whole German psychology at that time has always fasinated me - which lead me on a journey of why? for a long time...so goes the love for non-fiction...it is stranger than fiction..It appears to be great film...I am glad you wrote about it here...bkm

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  26. I love your movie choices. This looks a bit heavy. I think I will have to put myself in the right place before watching.

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  27. I belong to Netflix (BoscosMom) and I am going to add this and watch it. I dare you to watch MY favorite foreign movie, a French film called "Love Me If You Dare." It's not just my favorite foreign movie, it's my favorite movie, period. (French title "Jeux D'enfants" or "Children's Games")

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  28. Willow,
    We joined Netflix this week. We received our first movie tonight, "Spellbound". Thanks for your review of "The White Ribbon". We'll have to add it to our queue.
    :) The Bach

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  29. Willow, I agree with you, it is indeed an intriguing film. I have seen it twice and will no doubt view it again. However, I have seen Haneke's Hidden seven times. Every time, there is something more. Highly recommended. Also, The Piano Teacher, confronting, explicit and absorbing - Michael Haneke is a master film maker.

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  30. Okay, Fireblossum, it's on my queue!

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  31. I need to take several month off to catch up on my movie viewing. Sounds intriguing.

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  32. I am intrigued with this movie not only by your review but by the great conversation about it in the comments...will add it to my Netflix list...but I will have to be in the right mood for something this intense!

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  33. I haven't watched this yet, but it is on my list. I watched the first ten minutes or so online, but the version wasn't that great so I decided to wait and ask a friend to netflix it.

    Nazism became possible because of those rural communities. The whole idea was to go back to a "pure" way of living. It was all about the Volk. Women would get medals if they had many children, because the population needed to grow. The whole idea of the Volk sounded good on paper (old values, all about family, ect) but look what it turned into. VERY interesting.

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  34. Dear Willow: From the trailer this film reminds me of "The Tin Drum" and the movie on Eduard Munch. The stark realism in the black and white tends to give a feeling of Ingmar Bergman-type of existentialism. It is the slow birth of religious fantacism leading to extremism then, finally to the birth of fascism? Certainly were not following "Love One Another". Cultism in the guise of Religion. Yes, creepy, but necessary to understand how this evil seed got started!

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  35. This film is on my MUST list- and Yes-loosing such a prince as Barry is devastating, though we all held our breath for him to miraculously get well...or at least have him around (selfishly) for another while...Such a lovely soul, Barry- Times like this I really want to believe in the here after and that it is something glorious-
    LOVE
    LS

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  36. Is McVal your sister, or do you simply go to the same hairdresser?

    I don't speak a word of German, and find subtitles very annoying. Even so, this looks like one not to miss!

    Bisou, Cro.

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  37. Okay, now I just have to see this movie. It looks intriguing.

    One of my favorite foreign films is "Black Book". Have you seen it?

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  38. Hello Willow, This is one film I was interested in seeing at the cinema when it came out. Some friends saw it and said it was very good but very depressing and so at that time I gave it a miss. I shall definitely catch it on DVD now as it sounds the type of movie I (can't use the word enjoy) shall appreciate. xx

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  39. I´ve been wanting to see this as well...though it I have to be in the right mood then I watch it I think...

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  40. Was not sure about this one, but in light of the fact that there are so many in the same boat, I'll give it a go. Here in Canada, we are about to be "allowed" to have Netflix. Otherwise it's up to the local spot as to their foreign collection. Perhaps this will be my inaugural Netflix choice.

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  41. added!

    my queue contains quite a few films focusing on this dark chapter of human history - including a french film called "a secret" which i've heard is quite good and the canadian documentary "inside hana's suitcase" which was a sensation at the cleveland international film festival in march.

    unfortunately as of yet nexflix doesn't seem to have hana's suitcase so i'm encouraging everyone to add it to their queue and maybe that will help bring it along! here's a a brief review
    , if it piques your interest, please add it to your queue!

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  42. I'm adding it, Kimy. Maybe they'll take notice! Thanks for the recommend.

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  43. Put it in the queue! Thanks!

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  44. Willow--Thanks for a great review! I love Bergman, and have done enough reading about this time period, that the film interests me greatly. I'll eBay it and add it to my collection. Thank you for writing this, you've persuaded me to watch.

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  45. Watching the preview gave me chills. I don't have Netflix; perhaps the library has a copy.

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  46. This one looks a little disturbing. I think I'll put it a ways down on my Netflix list. But definitely for one of those rainy days when brooding is good for the soul.

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  47. Though I have read several reviews of this film and concluded it is a must, I have not raced to it. Now, of course, I must. Willow, you need to write for the NYT!
    I am a real baby when it comes to films or books that disturb. However, I recently woke up early just to watch ON THE BEACH, starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, and Anthony Perkins. The setting is a post-atomic world war where the last survivors are in Australia. When it was realesed in 1959, I remember a comment my father made to my older sister who was dating and going to movies, "It's not about the beach," he informed her sternly looking over his glasses.(He had suffered a bout of radiation poisoning while working on a research assignment at Pentagon in 1951.)
    I eventually read the novel by Neville Shute, but shied away from the film. It too, is in stark black and white, and lingers along with memories of the Civil Defense drills of my elementary school days, displays at the state fair of the air raid shelters of the late fifties, and my father's eventual health complications.

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  48. FireLight, I added this film to my queue by suggestion of Netflix. When I watched the trailer, I was drawn more to the amazing beauty of the crisp monochrome images, more than the actual content. But must admit, I was riveted to the screen the entire movie!

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  49. Wow--I've not heard of this one, but when I see all those awards by excellent groups, it looks like one I'd definitely pick for my own viewing. I'll have to have Joe add it to our queue. He wouldn't select it, but I bet he'd like it. Thanks for the heads up! It looks powerful.

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  50. You always make persuasive reviews, Willow. Not being a film buff, I hadn't heard of this but that is nothing new! I wonder how long it will take to appear on TV?!

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  51. Dark, haunting and disturbing, just the kind of movie that makes me think. I'll be adding this to my Netflix queue. Thanks for the wonderful review.

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  52. Thanks for the review. I can't wait to see it on my movie channel. I got lost in your recipe side widget.

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  53. noted,
    and I might save this for a fall afternoon , watch it solo rather than in the summer chaos. I imagine it needs full attention.

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  54. Willow,
    Thanks for this review. I watched this horrifying movie recently via Netflix. What shocked me was that no one, of any ideological stripe, treated any other person with any kindness, with the exception of a mother's love for an afflicted child. No one can be trusted, not even children. It is as if each individual is surrounded by an impenetrable wall and that only weaponry is permitted to show outside--even within families. Compassion seems to be unknown, and even the concern of children takes on malevolent tones at the end. Is that real? I don't know.

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  55. Yes, I saw it - I loved it. I was lost in it, competely forgetting that I was watching actors. So real and powerful.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)