This film is part of Free
Filmmakers in Focus: Michael Haneke
In this illustrated discussion, BFI programmer-at-large Geoff Andrew and Catherine Wheatley, the author of two books on Michael Haneke’s work, examine what makes him such a distinctive, important and often controversial cinematic artist.
Overview
Over the last 30 years, the Austrian writer-director Michael Haneke has established himself as one of the leading figures in international cinema, winning major festival prizes and critical acclaim around the world for such extraordinary films as Hidden, The White Ribbon and Amour, now all available to watch on BFI Player. In this illustrated discussion, BFI programmer-at-large Geoff Andrew and Catherine Wheatley, the author of two books on Haneke’s work, focus on these films and others to examine what makes him such a distinctive, important and often controversial cinematic artist.
Michael Haneke was born in 1942 to a German father and Austrian mother, both actors. In the late 1960s, after studying philosophy, psychology and drama at the University of Vienna, he began working for German and Austrian television, first as a writer and editor, then as the writer-director of a series of films whose audacity and seriousness of purpose anticipated his later theatrical releases. The first of these, The Seventh Continent, appeared in 1989, and over the next decade or so, with uncompromising, often award-winning films like Funny Games, Code Unknown and The Piano Teacher, he became a firm fixture on the festival and art-house circuit, reaching larger and more enthusiastic audiences with each new release. Recorded in February 2021.
Related
Film Director Ken Russell Film Director Ken Russell
News 1972 3 mins Location: Torquay
Writer and Director Ken Russell explains his brush with The Devils.
Michael Caine on the set of The Eagle Has Landed Michael Caine on the set of The Eagle Has Landed
News 1971 5 mins Location: St Mawgan
Michael Caine completes mission as Oberst Kurt Steiner.
Vanessa Redgrave Vanessa Redgrave
Inside Film 1968 29 mins
Political beliefs and public profile is the core of Redgrave's interview, conducted at a time of immense upheaval in British life.
Anna Karina on Vivre sa vie Anna Karina on Vivre sa vie
Inside Film 2016 35 mins
The actor discusses Jean-Luc Godard’s film about a young woman who drifts into prostitution, and her relationship with the director.
Filmmakers in Focus: Agnès Varda Filmmakers in Focus: Agnès Varda
Inside Film 2021 47 mins
Writer and activist So Mayer joins filmmaker and critic Alexandra Hidalgo to discuss the work of acclaimed French director and artist Agnès Varda.
Filmmakers in Focus: Joanna Hogg Filmmakers in Focus: Joanna Hogg
Inside Film 2021 38 mins
BFI National Archive curator Will Massa and film critic Beatrice Loayza explore the work of contemporary British filmmaker Joanna Hogg.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.