Cache/Hidden
Michael Haneke
Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche
Danieil Auteuil (Georges) and Juliette Binoche (Anne) play a French bourgeois couple, leading the kind of busy, middle class life that means they rarely see one another. When they start to receive annonymous surveillance tapes of their home, and disturbing drawings, their relationship is put under further strain as events from Georges childhood resurface.
Michael Haneke has shot the majority of this film in long single takes, sometimes from static positions, moving left to right to follow actors in the scene. The use of point of view shots for the video footage, full screen as we listen to the actors discuss what they are watching, adds to an all pervasive sense of paranoia and voyarism that really gets to you after a very short period of time.
As the plot unfolds, it becomes apparent that this is not just about tragic events from childhood, but is addressing uncomfortable truths about France's Colonial past, truths it would rather remain....hidden. In light of recent racial tension in France and elsewhere, and the conflict in Iraq, the film's message is all the more important.
The performances in this film are superb. Binoche is excellent as the wife struggling to get the truth from her reticent husband, and Auteuil is on great form as the ultimately rather unlikeable Georges. But particular mention should go to Maurice Bénichou as Majid, who delivers a subtle, but powerfully emotional performance as the forgotten 'embarrassment' from Georges' childhood.
I would warn anyone who has not seen this film yet, and who are weak in constitution, that there are two particularly horrific scenes that come very fast, and completely unexpectedly. One does involve an animal.
It seems that with the US churning out remakes and intellectually anorexic films, it is to Europe and the Far East that we are required to turn for fearless, brave, intelligent film making. Hidden is an excellent critical film, with an important, relevant message, that will leave you thinking, and discussing it for days and days.
Review - Kenny Mooney