(Michael
Haneke/2009/Germany)
In a
German village, just before the First World War, untoward things are
beginning to occur. The narrator posits the events of the film as a
possible explanation for future events in the country so we are to
take it that this is an exposition by Haneke on the roots of fascism
or evil perhaps. It’s a vague enough supposition to be questioned
and just kept in mind for any deeper thinking on the film afterwards
I guess. Beautifully shot in black and white and paced exquisitely so
as to slowly unfurl before the viewer with a creeping intensification
of horrible events The White Ribbon looks at the power structures
within the village and can be seen as a representation of “old”
Germany. The doctor, the pastor and the baron are the triumvirate
that lead the community, each exhibiting varying degrees of
zealousness in their control of those around them. The doctor in
particular is a nasty bastard.
It becomes apparent that the children
of the village are operating as a covert gang of sorts and are
perpetrating much of the incidents which are occurring although not
all of them. Again Haneke is deploying a certain ambiguity to provoke
thought and debate. But if we accept that the children are at the
heart of the subterfuge and revolt against the established power
structure within the village we can see how it relates to that first
statement about future events in Germany. These kids are the exact
generation that will vote for Hitler. Is Haneke suggesting that the
urge to rebel against older generations and usurp long standing
systems of control is the reason for fascism and right wing
nationalist ideas? I don’t think so, it’s subtler than that, the
youthful capacity and will for change allows space for certain,
extreme ideas to take hold more like. It appears the root and nature
of evil is inherent in mankind, even to the point that innocent
children can perpetrate crimes in blind faith to a higher cause. Or
are the children a metaphor whereby Haneke is proposing innocence for
that generation, their desire for something better blinding them to
the rottenness of the new regime? Also as one system of control is
replaced by another is there really any change as we see the white
ribbon of the title, employed as a shaming device by the pastor,
correlates to the yellow stars of David used to segregate Jews under
the Third Reich?
It’s that kind of movie that doesn’t easily
answer any of your questions and demands some consideration from the
audience. It’s also a masterpiece from Haneke who employs all his
skills of suggestion, observation and ideation to compel the viewer
to respond.
(4/5)
After his
mum overdoses and dies Jay finds refuge with his grandmother and
extended family who happen to be one of Melbourne’s most notorious
crime gangs. His passive engagement with the daily running’s of
this new family sees him find a sense of place and acceptance and
also exposes him to exploitation in particular by his uncle - the
older, just out of jail and slightly psychotic brother “Pope”.
Based around real events Animal Kingdom matter-of-factly portrays
these folk as they casually and pointedly operate and live outside of
the law. Jay slips further and further into the mire as pressure from
cops to go states witness builds and Pope slowly loses his grip and
slips further and further into paranoid aggression. Ben Mendelsohn is
intense and scary as Pope and James Frecheville plays the confused,
perennially unsure but cool Jay to a tee. Animal Kingdom is quietly
gripping to the very last second.
