Das Weisse Band (The White Ribbon)

An elderly man reminisces on his time as village teacher in a small Protestant community in northern Germany, just before the First World War. Strange occurrences and anonymous violent acts cast a shadow over this oppressive society, where strict discipline goes hand in hand with hypocrisy.

Historical significance
In beautifully composed black and white images Das weisse Band shows how the village children are shaped by a strict upbringing that instils a deep rooted fear of sin. Looking back, the narrator tries to unravel what role the children played in the series of mysterious events. What is the significance of it all, and how does this reflect on the historical developments in the two following decades? With this film, Haneke explores not only the roots of Nazism, but of all forms of terrorism.