The Seventh Continent

Michael Haneke's first film, based on a true story, exemplifies his characteristic material - the bourgeois nuclear family under duress. Whilst to an English-speaking audience the inclusion of Pat Benatar's '80s hit, 'The Power Of Love' (not to mention Meatloaf!!) will seem ill-advised, in essence it is a stripped-back production that portrays the spiritual emptiness and profound alienation of its subjects' lives through a silent reiteration of daily routine rather than verbal explication.

There will be those who will see its relentless focus on the negation of acceptable human behaviour as indulging, even exploiting, nihilistic tendencies but unpleasant and challenging as the film is, sadly, it rings true.

 

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