Austrian director Michael Haneke's films
Austrian Michael Haneke, who was born in Munich, is one of the world's top award-winning directors. Films such as "Amour" and "The White Ribbon," catapulted him to global film director stardom.
A well-filled prize cabinet
Director Michael Haneke, shown here holding Cannes' Palme d'Or in 2012 for "Amour," has received too many awards to actually count them. But the Austrian filmmaker isn't driven to cinema for the prizes. Far more important for him are his films themselves — and their impact on film history.
Film debut in 1989
After working for television and theater, Haneke made his cinematic debut with "The Seventh Continent" — a film that takes viewers' breath away. One can hardly bare the piercing coldness and pessimism of this story of a family that deliberately commits suicide.
Strife over Haneke's films
Despite recognition for his masterful dramatic art, Haneke's films have often provoked controversy. The director's fifth cinema film, "Funny Games," which depicts two young men who terrorize a married couple, was called "cold" and "cynical" by some.
Jelinek's mother-daughter tale
Haneke shocked viewers with his 2001 film based on Elfriede Jelinek's novel "Die Klavierspielerin" ("The Piano Teacher"). The award-winning film depicts the strained relationship between a mother and daughter and stars the wonderful Isabelle Huppert.
Apocalyptic view of the future
Isabelle Huppert also starred in Haneke's next film, "The Time of the Wolf," along with Beatrice Dalle (shown here). The dystopian post-apocalyptic drama film depicts the struggles of a family in an unspecified time in which civilization has collapsed.
'Caché' is a triumph
His next film also became an artistic triumph for Haneke. "Caché," also known as "Hidden" in the UK, depicts the everyday life of a married couple, played by Juliette Binoche and Daniel Auteuil, that turns to chaos when they begin receiving videos anonymously. The film, which garnered numerous prizes, addresses various subjects, but leaves much space for interpretation by the viewer.
International acclaim with 'The White Ribbon'
Haneke won his second Palme d'Or, as well as the 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film with this dark tale of life in a northern German village just before World War I. "The White Ribbon" explores a prevalent culture of authority, hierarchy and violence that Haneke sees as "the roots of evil" that led to Nazi horrors.
An Oscar for 'Amour'
The Academy Award for best foreign-language film went to Haneke's 2012 film "Amour," which poignantly tells the story of an ageing couple. The intense interaction between actors Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintignant enthused critics, with the Guardian film critic describing the work as "film-making at the highest pitch of intelligence and insight."
A satire-tragedy on European wealth: 'Happy End'
"Happy End" stars Isabelle Huppert and Jean-Louis Trintignant, who once again portray a daughter-father relationship, as in Haneke's 2012 film "Amour." The film deals with moral degradation, and centers on a wealthy French family whose mansion is in Calais, a city that grabbed media attention for the poor conditions of the migrant encampment known as the "Calais Jungle."
Master film director: Michael Haneke
Haneke, who turns 80 on March 23, is one of Europe's most outstanding filmmakers. In between movie projects, he has also staged operas. In 2019, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the country's highest award for special achievements.