The Seventh Continent (1989)

Director: Michael Haneke
Release: 1989
Country of Origin: Austria
Runtime: 104 minutes

A refined depressing film.

―The daily life of an ordinary family gradually begins to warp. Aiming for a certain destination.

※I felt that this work is best enjoyed with as little prior information as possible, so I have kept spoilers to a minimum this time. Since I have a strong personal attachment to this film, I will proceed with the stance of simply pouring out my thoughts.

I have encountered a great masterpiece... That was my first thought after watching it.
It left such a tremendous impact and lingering effect that the other film I watched on the same day seemed to fade into insignificance. It is the first time I have been so drawn into a work, and the first time I have experienced the heavy, visceral impact of the ending being sublimated into such intense catharsis. I never imagined that simply playing a rented DVD at home could provide such a cinematic experience.

This film is structured in three parts.
Part 1 depicts the daily life of a certain family.
Part 2 depicts their daily life, which, while appearing unchanged, begins to take on a slightly unsettling atmosphere.
Part 3 depicts the family's preparations for their journey to their destination.
That is the general feel of it.

The madness explodes after being carefully set up in the first and second parts. It is a shock like receiving a heavy blow. It is a work that carries a certain danger, one that could pull you in if you watch it when your mental state is not good.

Regarding the title, "The Seventh Continent" (though the original language is German). The continents on Earth are Eurasia (Asia + Europe), Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Australia. When categorized as seven continents, the seventh is Australia. In fact, a poster reading "Welcome to Australia" appears in the film from the early stages. So, if categorized as six continents, what is the seventh...?

Of course, I think this is a film that will clearly divide opinions. I myself first learned of this film from the information that "there is apparently a very impressive depressing film." Furthermore, it is by the director of "Funny Games," which is famous for being a disturbing movie. While watching it, my husband even asked me curiously, "Is that movie fun...?" (laughs). Even setting aside the depressing elements, because it is an avant-garde work, there are undoubtedly many people who would have completely different opinions—finding the direction I perceived as "refined" or "artistic" to be "pretentious" or "pointless." I think that is fine. My theory is that it is not about whether it is "good" or "bad," but simply a matter of whether it resonates with you or not. Honestly, in my current state after only one viewing, there is so much I cannot grasp, and I am constantly surprised by the diversity of interpretations and analyses from other reviewers. It would be cool to become such a thoughtful, erudite adult. I admire that.

If I am able to watch it again, I hope that there will be more I can grasp and more parts I can understand. When that happens, I would like to write it down and share it like this.

By the way, the means to watch this work is effectively limited to rental DVDs, and both TSUTAYA and GEO have long waiting lists for home delivery rentals. If you have a physical rental shop nearby, it might be more certain to visit a GEO or Video One. The retail DVD version is at a premium price, and there is no sign of it being available on subscription streaming services...

#MovieReview #AustrianFilm