Blu-ray Review: The White Ribbon (2009)

Winning the Cannes Palme d'Or as well as numerous other accolades brings with it a certain level of expectation that history has shown can be difficult to live up to. Looking at the list of Cannes winners, for example, gives you a catalogue of many fine films, but also several that have made little wider or long-term impact outside the festival circuit (though admittedly the Palme d'Or is no less reliable a sign of quality than the Best Picture Oscar). There can be no doubt however that The White Ribbon is a truly deserving recipient, and its widespread acclaim since its release - although still limited, in English-speaking countries, to the relatively small World Cinema niche - is fully justified. It's a superbly judged drama that engrosses and chills in equal measure; its director has a point to make but that never obstructs the graceful unfolding of an intricate narrative tapestry. There's no other way to describe it: this is filmmaking as art.

Michael Haneke is the director in question (also writing the script), who has proven to be a divisive craftsman in the past. True to form, The White Ribbon is indeed a challenging work - pleasant and easygoing are not going to be well-used adjectives regarding the film. Yet neither is it too aloof or distancing, nor does it signify any of the more stuffy connotations of the word "art". Certainly Haneke's direction is calculated and precise; the same has been said about the Coen brothers. It's not a style that lends itself to a mass audience, but those with the patience and attention to details will find themselves richly rewarded. In fact, the direction is somewhat reminiscent of Godfather-era Coppola in its restraint and unobtrusive, yet clearly purposeful, shot composition.

To specifics. The White Ribbon is set in a superficially idyllic village in rural Germany in 1913-14. Its peace is shattered by a series of shocking and brutal events that, given their apparent malicious intent, cannot be just accidents. The unease permeates the lives of every villager, from the schoolteacher to the baron (the landowner). The investigation of these crimes provides a backbone for the film, around which Haneke tells many individual stories. None of the families in the village are as content as they first appear, with one thread emerging as common: parents ruling over their children with an iron fist. When not being punished by their elders, the unfortunate children stalk the village in groups, always mysterious in their intent. While Haneke never strays into any sort of Village of the Damned-style supernaturalism, the atmosphere he creates is certainly one of dread and suspense, without ever showing very much at all.

One of the more remarkable attributes of the film is the performances, in particular those of the aforementioned younger cast members. Their ages range from single digits to late teens, and all are exceptional and breathtakingly natural in front of the camera. One memorable scene, involving a young boy asking his older sister about death, is quietly devastating and brilliantly played. The performers themselves, Haneke, and the casting directors all deserve copious credit. The other immediately striking element is the decision to shoot in black and white, which proves perfectly suited to the material and makes for a unique visual style. The contrast of modern film stock allows for whites that gleam and incredibly crisp detail - a deliberate choice intended to emulate vintage photographs.

Many of the criticisms that the film has faced will, to others, be its virtues. The subject matter is inherently disturbing and the masterfully controlled direction uses mere suggestion to the reach heights (or depths) of horror that outright depiction never could. Also the film is reluctant to offer any hard answers, which may frustrate those who are unprepared but also allows for a greater degree of individual interpretation, engendering the sort of discussion and debate that only special films merit.



Release Information
Country: UK / Region: B / Version: N/A / Discs: 1 / Distributor: Artificial Eye

Presentation
Crisp, striking, and bold, the transfer here is sometimes so realistic that I found it caused a degree of eye strain at times (such as when looking at a blanket of freshly fallen snow). I even turned down the backlight on my LCD TV. Such a faithful rendering can't exactly be called a flaw, though! The look is integral to the film and one suspects that this is precisely what the director wanted. DVD couldn't do it justice.

The soundtrack is one of the most undemonstrative DTS-HD mixes I've heard. The material doesn't call for bombast. A little more activity in the surrounds may not have gone amiss, but everything is perfectly clear and well defined.

Extras
A very good and enlightening set of extras provides, to a degree, the sort of answers that the film doesn't. Watching the 15-minute Haneke interview (the only HD extra), it's hard not to reach a conclusion to the central mystery. The 40-minute Making Of is mostly shot in a fly on the wall style, and is an intriguingly unvarnished look behind the scenes. The 50-minute "Portrait" doc is an overview of the director's career with the participation of many of his previous collaborators, and is worth a look even for those not so familiar with Haneke as it does focus on Ribbon. You can also watch the Cannes press conference.



Summary
A difficult, at times oppressive watch, The White Ribbon is nevertheless a deeply personal and engaging work.