Michael Haneke’s gripping, multi-layered French thriller Caché a.k.a. Hidden commands the viewer’s attention from beginning to end. This writer/director does not eagerly feed answers to his audiences. He relies instead on their intelligence, something severely bereft in most films in the same genre.
Haneke likes to create merciless psychological unsettlement. His favoured technique is by meticulously controlling the delivery of information. He often plays with point-of-view, sometimes destabilising it to attain his desired effect. Key plot hints are sometimes hidden in background subtleties that one only discovers on repeat viewings.
Caché won several prestigious awards. Several other Haneke films have won or been nominated for top accolades. The White Ribbon (2009) won the Cannes Palme d’Or and Funny Games (1997) is probably the most disquieting film we have ever seen. This is a director to be reckoned with.
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You can find more information on this French-language movie on Wikipedia and IMDb. Ignore the average IMDb rating – this is a superb film.
As always, we recommend you don’t ruin any surprises by reading spoilers or watching this trailer:
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Title: Caché
Language: French
Direction: Michael Haneke
Screenplay: Michael Haneke
Cinematography: Christian Berger
Editing: Michael Hudecek, Nadine Muse
Stars: Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche, Lester Makedonsky, Maurice Bénichou, Walid Afkir, Annie Girardot, Daniel Duval, Bernard Le Coq
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Wonderful Cinema 
You’ve chosen an electic mix of films. Jolly good! I’ve seen two of Haneke’s films: ‘The White Ribbon’ and ‘The Piano Teacher’. Both strange and intriguing. I’d like to see this one too; I like the lead actors. Thanks!
Tense film. The fact there is absolutely no music whatsoever in this film makes it more eerie.
great movie, i love the last scene while the credits were rolling, i completely missed the first time what we should see. Haneke’s best movie so far.
I missed it too – needed to hear the director’s commentary. Nice review Shimsky, check out my review of this film when you a chance.
A brilliant, brilliant film.
What a great selection of films! I love Hidden, it’s intriguing – one of Haneke’s best
A great film, most of which isn’t obvious.
This is one of my favorite films. It totally blew me away. I love Haneke.
I wanted to like this film so much. I admire Haneke’s work, and the leading actors are top notch. I have seen it at the cinema, on DVD, and on TV. And although I would like to pretend otherwise, I just don’t get it. It is just too smart for its own good. I usually don’t hold with the criticism ‘style over substance’, but on this occasion, it’s on the tip of my tongue.
Best wishes, Pete.
There is no shame in reading up on a film before a second viewing, if that is necessary. With this one I read a lot to understand the story fully and get what Haneke was attempting. This was the first film by Haneke I saw and I’m a big fan now.
I forgot to add that perhaps Haneke shouldn’t have relied on my intelligence on this occasion. It obviously wasn’t up to it!
Yes, I need to give it a second viewing too!