Love (Amour)

Country and year: France, 2012 Original title: Amour Director: Michael Haneke Screenplay: Michael Haneke Cast: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva Medical topics: severe stroke, palliative care, euthanasia Description: Haneke’s outstanding film is set entirely within the four walls of an apartment where an elderly couple of music teachers, Georges (Trintignant) and Anne (Riva), live. Despite the absence of grand words and dramatic declarations, the two are deeply in love and lead a happy, very peaceful life. Everything changes when Anne loses contact with her surroundings during breakfast. She regains consciousness after a few minutes. It turns out, however, that she had a stroke. She undergoes surgery, which unfortunately fails. Anne returns home in serious condition. Georges cares for her with great devotion, but her condition worsens with each passing day. Georges cannot send her to a hospital, hospice, or any other facility—he promised her he would be with her until the end. The director masterfully explores the themes of palliative care and what a person can do for the sake of their beloved, the person closest to them. A demanding film that engages the viewer in a dialogue. Winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Perhaps an Oscar is in store as well?