Keswick Film Festival

Synopsis

Winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes 2009, The White Ribbon is structured around a series of misfortunes (which give the impression of ritual punishment) befalling the citizens of Eichwald, a rural village in pre-World War I Germany. Half the population works for the Baron, and the stern Protestant pastor wields a strong influence, especially on the children, who appear strangely suppressed...

It’s a hugely absorbing film, with most impressive compositions in beautiful black-and-white photography. Commentators have asked whether Haneke’s portrait of a sick society is meant to give a pointer to the horrendous war to come and the fascism that quickly followed in its wake.