Michael Haneke is one of Europe’s leading filmmakers and has produced some of the most powerful, unflinching films to come out of the continent over the course of the last 25 years. He’s a perennial favourite at Cannes and has two Palme d’Ors, a Grand Prix and Best Director award from the festival to his name, but it wasn’t until this year that he became better known to a much wider audience. That in part was surely down to the five Oscar nominations “Amour” received (including Best Director and Best Picture), but we’re betting it was mostly to do with that parody twitter account.
So now the revered 70 year-old Austrian director is as well known for LOLZ as he is for filmmaking, and that’s something that this year’s Cesars used to full effect. While the Oscars pre-recorded skits were busy celebrating Mr Skin, the French equivalent imagined what “Star Wars: Episode VII” would look like if Haneke were to step into JJ’s shoes. It’s a pretty great “Amour” parody with some pretty funny “Star Wars” gags in there as well – we particularly enjoyed Chewbacca’s appearance. The only thing it was missing was a good pigeon gag. You can take a look at the skit for yourselves below.
Arguably it’s funnier than anything we saw at this year’s Oscars, and that’s a pretty damning indictment Mr. McFarlane when the French are out-funnying you. But hey, casual xenophobia aside, we had no idea the Cesars had such a sense of humor, and it almost makes us want to learn the language so we can watch next year’s ceremony live. Almost. “Amour” went on the win five awards at the ceremony, so it proved to be a pretty great night all round for Haneke.