Lukas Miko

Haneke's articulate critique of the isolating effects of western society, the media and television in particular, is composed of an intricate series of unrelated scenes, culminating in an apparently motiveless act of violence.

The story of Maria Paradis, a gifted piano player, who lost her eyesight as a child. Desperate to cure their daughter, her parents entrust Maria to Dr. Franz Mesmer. Using his technique, Maria recovers her sight. But this miracle comes at a price.

Stella Goldschlag grows up in Berlin during the Nazi regime. She dreams of a career as a jazz singer, but is forced to go into hiding with her parents in 1944, and her life turns into an hopeless tragedy.

To withstand the psychological torture of the Gestapo, a notary imprisoned by the Nazis (Oliver Masucci, "Look Who's Back") rescues himself in the world of chess. Based on the novel by Stefan Zweig.