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The Terror of Funny Games (1997)

Long shots of rolling green hills.

Serene, classical melodies.

A happy family anticipating their time on a vacation.

These images are what open Michael Haneke’s 1997 film, Funny Games. Upon the opening of the film, it appears as though the film will depict a peaceful family vacation. This perception is eradicated with the abrupt appearance of the Funny Games title card. Heavy metal rock music cuts in as the bright red title card overlays the family road trip. At this point, a sense of uneasiness engulfs the audience. The tranquility that was present in the opening has abruptly changed.