The Film: Inspired by a tragic true story, Haneke starts strong with this look at a family - Dad Georg, Mum Anna and daughter Eva - who, seemingly drained by life and mundane routine, decide to "emigrate" - committing suicide in a shocking pact.

Among their actions is wordlessly smashing up their worldly possessions (including a large, fish-filled aquarium) and flushing their cash down the toilet.

It's not an easy watch, but then that wasn't Haneke's intention. And it kick-starts themes (isolation, problems with modern family life) that would run through all of his work.

Haneke's View: "When we were invited to Cannes, I said to the producer, 'you'll see, there are two scenes people will be upset about. One is the scene when they break the aquarium. The death of the fish. And the money.'

"The producer said, 'No, that's ridiculous. Maybe the part with the fish because they're animals. And because of the child. But never the money.' And in the end, that's exactly how it was. There were people who left the cinema, slamming the doors.

"Everywhere I showed the film, that was the main scene people complained about. Because it's the greatest taboo. It's a lot less disturbing if people kill their children and themselves. Than if they destroy money."