Beginning with his “glaciation trilogy” Haneke has explored the theme of dehumanization through media and consumerism.
I found Code Inconnu difficult and pedantic, but there was one brilliant scene. In one continuous shot Anne (Juliette Binoche) and Georges get into a heated argument while shopping in a large supermarket. The argument is not enough for them to stop grabbing items and throwing them listlessly into the cart. In this world the human drive towards love and understanding is weaker than the one to consume. After a passionate reconciliation they look around as if they had done something wrong, then return to their mechanical task of filling the cart.
Whether or not you agree with Haneke about the state of modern society, he always presents his arguments with clarity and force.
