Back (once again) In The "Bad Old Days" (homage a' R.W. Fassbinder)

Rating: 10/10 (25 February 2010)

Back in the 1970's,German film maker,Rainer Werner Fassbinder directed a film adaptation of the novel,'Effi Briest' that was in every way a 19th century costume drama that some found a meditation into the human condition,and others found a crashing bore (the film clocks in at nearly two and a half hours,is in German with English subtitles,and is very slowly paced). Flash forward thirty plus years later (2009),and Austrian film maker,Michael Haneke (The Piano Teacher,Hidden)has gone and directed an absolutely glowing film dealing with events leading up to World War 1 (which,like Fassbinder's film,is nearly two & a half hours,mostly in German,and moves at a snails pace,which does not ruin the film one bit). That film is 'The White Ribbon' (known in Europe as 'Das Weisse Band-Eine Deutsche Kindergeschichte'). The film takes place in an un-named village in north Germany in 1913. When the local doctor is injured in an accident that seems to be deliberately planned,it leads to a series of one unfortunate event after another. The events are narrated from the perspective of a newly arrived school teacher (played by Christian Friedel,with a voice over by an obviously aged teacher,in later years by Ernst Jacobi). The teacher (as his name is never mentioned)takes a fancy to a local young lass,Eva (played by Leonie Benesch),but knows her father will never consent to his proposal of marriage,due to the fact that Eva is much younger than he. Other events unfold in this beautifully photographed drama (by cinematographer Christian Berger) that proposes that certain events & attitudes were responsible for the onset of World War I,and the rise of Nationalism,which would eventually lead to the formation of the Fascist party in the early days just after World War I,throughout Europe (acts of sadistic violence toward ethnic groups & the handicapped were not out of the question). Michael Haneke writes & directs this quiet,but powerful drama that (potentially)points accusing fingers at those who were responsible for darker times that were to come (religion is cited as a major catalyst for the troubles---as embodied by Burghant Klaussner's brilliant portrayal of The Pastor,a cold hearted,loveless father of a cadre of children who channeled a "Village Of The Damned" vibe---truly creepy). Other figures weave in and out of this well played out drama,for thinking persons who crave more than Hollywood eye candy (and get it). Spoken in German,Polish,Italian & Latin with English subtitles. Rated 'R' by the MPAA,this film contains some rather disturbing violence,muted sexual content & other adult content. Probably not a good choice for the little ones.