BIOGRAPHY:

Michael Haneke (German pronunciation: [ˈhaːnəkə]; born 23 March 1942) is an Austrian filmmaker and screenwriter best known for his bleak and disturbing style. His films often document problems and failures in modern society. Haneke has worked in television‚ theatre and cinema. He is also known for raising social issues in his work. Besides working as a filmmaker he also teaches directing at the Filmacademy Vienna.

At the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, his film The White Ribbon won the Palme d'Or for best film, and at the 67th Golden Globe Awards the film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In 2012, his film, Amour, premiered and competed at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. The film would go on to win the Palme d'Or, making it his second win of the prestigious award in three years and putting him in an elite club of only seven with the likes of Francis Ford Coppola. The film has also received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress in a Leading Role for Emmanuelle Riva. Haneke has made films in French, German and in English.