Plot
Erika Kohut is a pianist, teaching music. Schubert and Schumann are her forte, but she's not quite at concert level. She's approaching middle age, living with her mother who is domineering then submissive; Erika is a victim then combative. With her students she is severe. She visits a sex shop to watch DVDs; she walks a drive-in theater to stare at couples having sex. Walter is a self-assured student with some musical talent; he auditions for her class and is forthright in his attraction to her. She responds coldly then demands he let her lead. Next she changes the game with a letter, inviting him into her fantasies. How will he respond; how does sex have power over our other faculties?
Written by
Michael Haneke, Elfriede Jelinek
Directed by
Michael Haneke
Crew
Production Countries
Germany, France, Austria
Production Companies
Bayerischer Rundfunk, ARTE France Cinéma, Canal+, CNC, Bavaria Film International, ARTE
Languages
Deutsch, Français
Awards
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award18 wins & 23 nominations total