Michael Haneke

Last night, my husband and I watched the film "Code Unknown: Incomplete Tales of Several Journeys," directed by Michael Haneke. I've decided that he is one of my very favorite film makers.

He received international notoriety last year for "The White Ribbon," a brilliant film about pre WWI Germany.

But it was "Cache" in 2005 that first blew my mind. I had long admired, and always looked forward to watching, Juliette Binoche and Daniel Auteil, so I was looking forward to seeing them both in "Cache". I knew little of the director.

I had seen "Lumiere," the film where 40 directors were asked to make a short film using the Lumiere brothers' Cinematographe, but I really don't remember it. I'll have to see it again to see Haneke's piece.

After "Cache," I saw "The Piano Teacher," but my husband was so disturbed by its subject that it was hard to follow with his bothered commentary. I think we tried to watch it at home, as well, which is all too often laden with interruptions and distractions.

I know we saw Haneke's original "Funny Games," uninterrupted. Wow. That was a film I deeply appreciate for its raw, unflinching and horrifyingly real approach to a very dark and disturbing story. But, I'd rather forget that film. WAY too disturbing. And I would suggest that anyone with a small child avoid this film at all costs.

I was intrigued when I heard that he was going to remake his own film as an English language film 10 years after the original. I would imagine a director would want to do much differently. I didn't go near the theaters for the remake but heard that it was, almost frame for frame, a duplicate of the original. Odd.

"Code Unknown" was made in 2000, but I had never heard of it. This one also starred the incredible Juliette Binoche, as beautiful, raw and riveting as ever.

I see the world with fresh eyes after watching a Haneke film. I think he is the most honest director I have ever seen. He forces the viewer to be human. To have a human response to what they witness in his films. The people and events in his films are never allowed to be abstract or distant. They are you. You are there. He presents what really seems to be the truth of an experience or a situation or a relationship. I walk away feeling that I am FEELING deeper than I was before.

I'm grateful for his gift. He inspires me to strive for such depth and honesty in my own work.