25/02/2025 - The 17th-century post-war tale, starring Sandra Hüller, delves into identity, deception and the survival of a mysterious soldier with a hidden truth

Sandra Hüller (centre) on the set of Rose (© ROW Pictures)

Austrian writer-director Markus Schleinzer is currently in post-production with his third feature, Rose, a historical drama led by German actress Sandra Hüller. The film’s narrative is set in the 17th century, delving into complex themes of identity, deception and survival within a tight-knit community.

Set in the turbulent aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War, the film follows Rose, a mysterious soldier who arrives in a secluded Protestant village. Claiming to be the long-lost heir to a forsaken estate, Rose presents a document to authenticate the claim, sparking unease and suspicion among the tight-knit community. Desperate for a sense of belonging and happiness, Rose embarks on a quest for acceptance in a village bound by tradition and distrust. However, beneath the soldier’s façade lies a deeper secret: Rose is living under a false identity, a fabricated name and a concealed gender. Determined to achieve her goals, Rose is even willing to navigate the dangerous waters of an arranged marriage with Suzanna, the daughter of a prominent farmer. Because for someone who has come this far, anything is possible.

Leading the cast is Oscar-nominated thesp Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Justine Triet
film profile], The Zone of Interest [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]), who portrays the title character, capturing the challenges of living a dual life under a fabricated identity. Alongside her, rising German actress Caro Braun plays Suzanna, while Godehard Giese (Transit [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Christian Petzold
interview: Franz Rogowski
film profile]) and Maria Drăguș (Mademoiselle Paradis [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Barbara Albert
film profile]) portray Suzanna’s parents. The ensemble is further strengthened by Robert Gwisdek (3 Days in Quiberon [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Emily Atef
film profile]) and Augustino Renken.

Schleinzer, returning to the director’s chair for his third feature, continues to build on his reputation for crafting thought-provoking cinema. Known for his previous works Michael [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and Angelo [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Markus Schleinzer
film profile], Schleinzer brings a rigorous and historically informed approach to the material. The screenplay, co-written with Alexander Brom, is the fruit of meticulous research and a commitment to authenticity. Behind the camera, Gerald Kerkletz, who has collaborated with Schleinzer on his other two films, serves as the director of photography, while Monika Willi (Amour [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Michael Haneke
film profile]) handles the editing. Filming took place across various locations in Austria and Germany, and the movie is currently in advanced post-production, with completion anticipated by summer 2025.

Rose is an Austrian-German co-production staged by Austrian producer Johannes Schubert for his company Schubert Füm, in collaboration with Karsten Stöter for Leipzig-based ROW Pictures, and producers Philipp Worm and Tobias Walker for Walker+Worm. The film has garnered significant support from numerous institutions, including the Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM), the Deutscher Filmförderfonds, Beauftragte des Bundes für Kultur und Medien, Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Filmförderungsanstalt, MOIN Filmförderung, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, FilmFörderFonds Bayern, Österreichisches Filminstitut, Filmfonds Wien, Filmförderung Niederösterreich and Eurimages. It is also a co-production with ZDF, ARTE and ORF. Its international sales are being managed by The Match Factory, and the film is already generating anticipation on the festival circuit.