12
votes

In 2000s (it aired in America definitely before 2009, when I moved abroad) I was watching a very well made movie on cable. I was in the United States, but it was a German movie, so it 'made it over here.'

To the best of my memory, it takes place in a rural / forested setting, and two men are tormenting a married couple, tying them up, etc.

There is at least one moment of 'fourth wall' where the couple escapes and one of the men quickly says - hold on - and rewinds the scene and catches them.

The cinematography was clean and bright and there were a lot of daytime scenes. It wasn't artsy-weird, but it was independent-foreign thriller. I'm sorry I can't elaborate; due to schedule I only saw the bulk of the 'middle' of the movie. I'd love to watch the whole thing.

EDIT: Just checked the guidelines, I'll try to add more information (below).

Descriptions of any characters or locations - Caucasion, German, mid-20s in a Forest area in summer-ish time; the abusers a little bit like college-style punks

Whether it was animated or not - Not animated

1 Answer 1

16
votes

You are clearly referring to Michael Haneke's Funny Games, an Austrian film from 1997 which features not only the general setting of a family being help captive by two young men, but has exactly your described fourth wall scene with the rewind. As to Wikipedia:

When Anna successfully shoots Peter, as a possible start to a heroic escape for the family, Paul uses a remote control to rewind the film itself and prevent her action.

There is, however, even a US remake from 2007 by the same director that you might have seen too.

4
  • Thanks, I've upvoted and will accept. From the movie stills, it is definitely correct. As it's my first identify-this-movie, any feedback on improving my question would be great.
    – Mikey
    Jan 19, 2017 at 4:39
  • @Mikey For a first time ID question it is comparatively quite good. It can be seen that you put effort into formulating your question.
    – Napoleon Wilson
    Jan 19, 2017 at 4:40
  • 3
    @Mikey I'd advise to do some research yourself first: google.com/search?q=german+movie+tormenting+couple+fourth+wall shows several times "Funny Games" as the result.
    – BCdotWEB
    Jan 19, 2017 at 9:31
  • @BCdotWEB - Thanks! I started with 'German film murderers couple' and quickly realized SE would be a better go-to as it allows a more elaborate question. I'll keep in mind for any future ID questions to be more specific in google first; thanks for the help.
    – Mikey
    Jan 19, 2017 at 10:51

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