Funny Games (2007 film)

Funny Games
Theatrical release poster by Akiko Stehrenberger[1]
Directed byMichael Haneke
Screenplay byMichael Haneke
Based onFunny Games
by Michael Haneke
Produced by
  • Hamish McAlpine
  • Christian Baute
  • Chris Coen
  • Andro Steinborn
  • Naomi Watts
Starring
CinematographyDarius Khondji
Edited byMonika Willi
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Independent Pictures (United States)
Les Films du Losange (France)[3]
Tartan Films (United Kingdom)
X Verleih AG (Germany)
Lucky Red (Italy)[3]
Release dates
  • 20 October 2007 (2007-10-20) (London Film Festival)
  • 19 January 2008 (2008-01-19) (Sundance)
  • 14 March 2008 (2008-03-14) (United States)
  • 4 April 2008 (2008-04-04) (United Kingdom)
  • 23 April 2008 (2008-04-23) (France)
  • 11 July 2008 (2008-07-11) (Italy)
Running time
111 minutes[4]
Countries
  • United States
  • Austria
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • Italy
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million[5]
Box office$8.2 million[2]

Funny Games (alternatively titled Funny Games U.S.) is a 2007 satirical psychological thriller film written and directed by Michael Haneke. The film is a shot-for-shot remake of his own 1997 film of the same title,[6][7][8] albeit in English and set in the United States with different actors; Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt, and Brady Corbet star in the main roles.[9] Like the original, the film follows an affluent family as they are captured and tortured by two young criminals on their vacation.

Despite the film title labeled as "U.S.", Funny Games is an international co-production between the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, France, Germany, and Italy.[10][11][12] It is the only Haneke's film to not premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, instead premiering at several film festivals outside of Cannes including London and Sundance.

Unlike the original, the film received mixed reviews and commercial failure. Haneke has stated that the film is a reflection and criticism of violence used in media.[13]

  1. ^ Curry, Adrian (8 November 2019). "The Best Posters of the 2010s". MUBI. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Funny Games (2008)". The Numbers. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Funny Games". Box Office Mojo.
  4. ^ "Funny Games U.S. (18)". British Board of Film Classification. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Funny Games (2008)". The Numbers. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Interview: Funny Games Director Michael Haneke". Cinema Blend. 12 March 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  7. ^ "Fun and Games: On Michael Haneke's 2007 Remake of His 1997 Funny Games". Bright Lights Film. August 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  8. ^ "The Funny Games remake is identical to—and as disturbing as—the original". The A.V. Club. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Funny Games remake talk". Arrow in the Head (joblo.com). 30 April 2007. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  10. ^ Buchanan, Jason. "Funny Games (2007)". Allmovie. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  11. ^ "Funny Games U.S." British Film Institute. London. Archived from the original on 17 January 2009. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  12. ^ Elley, Derek (20 October 2007). "Funny Games". Variety. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  13. ^ "Funny Games: Michael Haneke interview". cinema.com. Retrieved 31 July 2014.