Set in a Protestant village in northern Germany on the eve of World War I, Michael Haneke’s mesmeric Palme d’Or-winning masterpiece traces a series of strange, escalating incidents among children and families, hinting at hidden transgressions and punishment rituals. Shot in exquisite black-and-white, Haneke’s meticulously crafted drama is a haunting exploration of morality, authority, and the undercurrents of human cruelty.
