The Piano

Jane Campion’s Academy Award-winning fable about a Scottish woman’s search for happiness in the harsh world of 19th-century New Zealand.

Long before The Power of the Dog, Campion explored the relationship between sexuality and power with this Palme d’Or-winning tale of a mysteriously mute woman (Holly Hunter) arriving with her daughter (Anna Paquin) for an arranged marriage in 19th-century New Zealand. The titular musical instrument is both bargaining tool and an outlet for private passions.

Both Holly Hunter and Anna Paquin picked up Academy Awards for their acting roles - and the film dominated the lists of nominees at BAFTA, Cannes and the Golden Globes that year. Ranked joint 50th in the 2022 Sight and Sound Great Films of All Time poll.