The White Ribbon (2009)

After thoroughly, enjoying his 2007 shot for shot English remake of his own film, Funny Games. I found myself eager to check out some other films in director Michael Henneke’s filmography. And what better film to start with than his recent Oscar nominated film The White Ribbon?

The White Ribbon provides snapshot into a small agricultural village in 1913 Austria on the eve of the First World War I. At first things seem idyllic, and perfect, but a series of nefarious occurrences start to occur revealing a dark underbelly to the town, exposing profoundly flawed society. First, the town’s doctor is injured when his horse trips on a wire stretched across the entrance to the town, then there occurs a tragic accident at the town’s saw mill, and town Baron’s son is found beaten. As suspicion and paranoia grow in the town, the town school teacher believes he may know the answer to who is causing these events.

I was a bit worried that I would not enjoy The White Ribbon, as it is more of a period piece and lacks some of the horror and thriller genre elements of Funny Games. But I was totally drawn into the mystery of what was happening in this town of right from the beginning. Henneke’s direction shows a lot of restraint, with a lot of deliberate long takes, and the black and white style gives the film a very ominous tone. The plot is also very deliberately paced, with the viewer slowly learning more and more about the characters in the village and their relationships. Certain things you take for granted or assume at the beginning of the film will be turned upside down by the end, making the film ripe for multiple viewings.

In a way The White Ribbon does to turn of the century German society what a film like American Beauty does to turn of the century American suburbia. Check out the White Ribbon if you are looking for a good foreign film.

9/10