Michael (2011)

Five months in the life of a pedophile who keeps a 10-year-old boy locked in his basement.

Directors:

Markus Schleinzer, Kathrin Resetarits (co-director)

Writer:

Markus Schleinzer

Stars:

Michael Fuith, David Rauchenberger, Christine Kain

6 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Fuith	...	Michael
David Rauchenberger	...	Wolfgang
Christine Kain	...	Mutter
Ursula Strauss	...	Schwester
Victor Tremmel	...	Schwager
Xaver Winkler	...	Neffe
Thomas Pfalzmann	...	Neffe
Gisela Salcher	...	Christa
Isolde Wagner	...	Bürokollegin 1
Markus Hochholdinger	...	Kollege Kantine
Susanne Rachler	...	Bürokollegin 2
David Oberkogler	...	Mag. Ehrnsberger
Katrin Thurm	...	Bürokollegin 3
Martin Schwehla	...	Bürokollege
Olivier Beaurepaire	...	Mann Begegnung Tierpark

Storyline

Five months in the life of a pedophile who keeps a 10-year-old boy locked in his basement.

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Plot Keywords:

pedophile | pedophilia | child abuse | child molestation | character name as title | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [de, en, fr] Official site [Hungary]

Country:

Austria

Language:

German

Release Date:

15 February 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Michael: crónica de una obsesión

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,366, 19 February 2012

Gross USA:

$15,715

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$121,034

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cine Tirol, Filmfonds Wien, Filmstandort Austria (FISA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film directed by known casting director Markus Schleinzer.

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Connections

Featured in Eine Art von Normalität: Markus Schleinzer über seinen Film 'Michael' (2012)

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Soundtracks

Drown Your Tears in Wine
Written by Iris, Hans Michael Fink
Performed by Hans Michael Fink, Markus Münzenrieder, Wolfgang Scheiblhofer, Philipp Tröstner, Michael Fink
Mit freundlicher Genehmigung von Iris

User Reviews

Yikes

First let's say it, "Yikes". This is a minutely-observed, low-keyed, dispassionate movie about the domestic life of a pedophile and the little boy he keeps captive in his basement. (Again, "Yikes"). But it is certainly not without wit, and a kind of wry "fly on the wall" style that keeps one engaged even though the proceedings are kept on a low boil intentionally. (Thank God). The phrase "the banality of evil", comes to mind constantly, and I think it is not entirely coincidental that this is an Austrian film. The lack of histrionics, however, does not mean that the film lacks drama. Certainly not…in fact it does create , at times, an almost unbearable tension. It has been compared many times to Haneke's "Funny Games", but in fact I find it far more subversive than that, as the Haneke film depends very much on a Brechtian "alienation" effect, whereby the filmmaker lets his audience know that he is intentionally manipulating them. "Michael" provides no easy "outs", and is, to my mind, a far more disturbing, compelling exercise. Truly a shocker, and extraordinarily well-done. Bravo. (But it is not for the timid).