The best film of 2009 and winner of the Palme d′Or at Cannes this year, it was selected as The Best Film of the Year by the world’s biggest critic’s association, FIPRESCI. However, it won’t be likely to get the same acclaim from general audiences because of its non-commercial aspect. How can it not be as this 140 minute social-political drama is in black and white? This film is another groundbreaking work by one of the most acclaimed and controversial directors who has constantly examined the matter of guilt, and explored the dark side of humanity. Set in a school in a remote town in Germany from 1913 to 1914, during the onset of the First World War, he discloses the origin and the fundamentals of human nature, Nazism, fascism, and its sublime subject of the film, and the rigorous style are all breathtaking. If you remember the excessive style and sensation of [Funny Games] and [La Pianiste], his minimalistic choice with this film might be a little surprising.