The Piano Teacher

About The Piano Teacher

The Piano Teacher is a critically acclaimed film released in 2001. It's an erotic drama based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Elfriede Jelinek. The film was directed by Michael Haneke, a renowned filmmaker known for his thought-provoking features. The plot follows a sexually repressed piano teacher, Erika Kohut, in Vienna, who gets involved in a destructive relationship with her student.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Veit Heiduschka and its screenplay was written by Michael Haneke. The filming took place in Paris, France, and Vienna, Austria. Haneke's detailed style of storytelling shines through the meticulous art direction and stark cinematography, creating an intense and fascinating experience for the viewers.

Actors

• Isabelle Huppert: Isabelle plays the role of Erika Kohut, a piano teacher at the Vienna Conservatory, who is dealing with sexual repression and a disturbing past. Her remarkable and compelling performance earned her international acclaim.
• Benoît Magimel: Benoît portrays Walter Klemmer, a young engineering student who becomes infatuated with Erika. His intricate and intense representation of the character added depth to the film.
• Annie Girardot: She plays the role of The Mother, providing a layer of complexity to the story with her superb acting skills.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film contains numerous music sequences, and Isabelle Huppert had to intensively train on piano for several months to play her character convincingly.
• Despite its heavy content, the film was a box office success in many countries.

Awards

The Piano Teacher was recognized with numerous awards, including the Grand Prix and Best Actress honors at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. The film also won the European Film Award for Best Film in 2001.

Quotes

• "I'm no criminal. I'm no thief. I've got a clean conscience. I've done nothing." - Erika Kohut
• "You're an unhappy woman because you can't come to terms with your age." - The Mother

Music, Soundtrack

• Schubert's song "Die Forelle" is repeatedly played throughout the film, mirroring the film's theme of evasion and obsession.
• Other classical pieces included in the film are from composers Beethoven, Bach, and Schumann.