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“The Piano Teacher” is a 2001 French-Austrian film directed by . It is based on the novel of the same name by Elfriede Jelinek. The film stars as Erika Kohut, a piano teacher at a music conservatory in Vienna who is living with her elderly mother. The film explores themes of sexuality, repression, and violence.

Synopsis:

“The Piano Teacher” is a psychological drama film directed by and released in 2001. It is based on the novel of the same name by Elfriede Jelinek. The film stars as Erika Kohut, a repressed and emotionally stunted piano teacher who lives with her overbearing mother.

Erika's life is rigidly controlled by her mother, who constantly criticizes and humiliates her. Erika seeks release from her suffocating existence through a series of self-destructive and masochistic acts, including voyeurism, self-mutilation, and sadomasochistic sex.

When a handsome and talented student named Walter Klemmer () enters Erika's class, she becomes obsessed with him and begins a disturbing game of seduction and manipulation. As their relationship intensifies, Erika's psychological state deteriorates, leading to a shocking and violent climax.

“The Piano Teacher” is a dark and disturbing exploration of repressed desires, emotional pain, and the destructive power of obsession. It has been praised for its bold and unflinching portrayal of taboo subjects, as well as for Huppert's powerful and nuanced performance. However, it has also been criticized for its graphic depictions of sexual violence and its bleak and unrelenting tone.

stars in the lead role of Erika Kohut in “The Piano Teacher” (2001), directed by . The film is a French-language psychological drama based on the novel of the same name by Elfriede Jelinek.

Huppert's performance in the film has been widely praised and was awarded the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001. She portrays Erika Kohut, a middle-aged piano teacher at a conservatory in Vienna who lives with her overbearing mother. Erika's life is highly regimented and isolated, and she suffers from a repressed sexuality that manifests in sadomasochistic fantasies.

When one of her students, a young man named Walter (), expresses an interest in her, Erika becomes increasingly obsessed with him, leading to a disturbing and violent relationship. Huppert's portrayal of Erika is both nuanced and powerful, capturing the character's complex psychology and inner turmoil.

Overall, 's performance in “The Piano Teacher” is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable performances in modern cinema. Her portrayal of Erika Kohut is chilling, unsettling, and deeply moving, and has cemented her status as one of the most accomplished actresses of her generation.

Awards:

“The Piano Teacher” received critical acclaim and was awarded several prestigious awards, including:

  • Grand Prix at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival
  • Best Actress () at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival
  • Best Film at the 2001 European Film Awards
  • Best Actress () at the 2002 César Awards
  • Best Film and Best Actress () at the 2002 German Film Awards.
Directed by
Screenplay by
Based on The Piano Teacher
by Elfriede Jelinek
Produced by Veit Heiduschka
Starring ,
,
,
Cinematography Christian Berger
Edited by Monika Willi
Nadine Muse
Music by Martin Achenbach
Production
companies
arte France Cinéma
Bavaria Film International
Bayerischer Rundfunk
Canal+
CNC
Eurimages
Filmfonds Wien
Les Films Alain Sarde
Österreichischer Rundfunk
Distributed by France:
MK2 Diffusion
Germany:
Concorde Filmverleih
Release dates 14 May 2001 (Cannes Film Festival) 5 September 2001 (France) 11 October 2001 (Germany)
Running time 131 minutes
Countries France
Austria
Germany
Languages French
German
Budget $6.2 million
Box office $9.8 million

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