"My films are intended as polemical statements against the American 'barrel down' cinema and its dis-empowerment of the spectator. They are an appeal for a cinema of insistent questions instead of false (because too quick) answers, for clarifying distance in place of violating closeness, for provocation and dialogue instead of consumption and consensus."
-- Heneke, From "Film as catharsis"
In other words. My films make you think. I do them that way as a protest against the popular, mindless American drivel.
Well hey, I like my popular, mindless American drivel. I also like my thoughtful and thought provoking drivel. I like movies, sometimes I want movies that make me think. Sometimes I want movies that are fun but when I think about them later I find surprising depth. And sometimes I want mindless drivel that requires me to leave my brain outside, and is completely out of my memory before the end credits even start rolling.
I know what you mean Kantvelink but I still think Haneke's approach is absolutely crucial in the day of mass produced popcorn cinema.
We might want to leave our brains at the door now and again but sometimes it's good to use it now and again! And obviously, some like to use their brains more than others. So thank god for Haneke.
Very, very true! We must thank God for Haneke. Whilst other filmmakers are discussing foreign planets & tall blue creatures Haneke tackles the repressed facets of existence that must & should be examined.
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Early on, she mentions a book about Schumann that discusses his reactions to his 'dawning' insanity. What was the name of that book?
Great parallel between the mother of the student she mutilates and her own mother.
"He who swaps his liberty for the promise of 'security' deserves neither." Ben Franklin
I believe it was the essay "Schubert", written in 1928 by Theodor W. Adorno (who was twenty-five at the time).
shareWell, then, in those times you want the mindless drivel, don't choose a Haneke movie. Easy.
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"My films are intended as polemical statements against the American 'barrel down' cinema and its dis-empowerment of the spectator. They are an appeal for a cinema of insistent questions instead of false (because too quick) answers, for clarifying distance in place of violating closeness, for provocation and dialogue instead of consumption and consensus."
-- Heneke, From "Film as catharsis"
"They are an appeal for a cinema of insistent questions instead of false (because too quick) answers..."
You would do well to remember how many and what type of American films are on release outside of America and from this you might better understand the perception held by many of the American film industry.
Entertainment is not divorced from reflectiveness in film though there are many blockbusters, mostly American, where such a separation is created, somewhat artificially.
An hour isn't an hour but a little bit of eternity in our handsshare