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by Frank Showalter

The Seventh Continent

(Der siebente Kontinent)
A-: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
1989 | Austria | 108 min | More...

Michael Haneke’s devastating feature debut. Calm waters of menacing monotony surrender to a crushing tsunami of bleak emotion. As the third act unfolded, I struggled to watch. It’s not what Haneke shows, but what he doesn’t show. We fill the gaps with ourselves. The dread overwhelms. I went in cold, only aware that it concerned a middle-class couple. I suggest you do the same, although I’ve already said too much.

Viewing History

  • Watched on
    Tue, Jan 26, 2021 via Criterion Channel