Mascha Schilinski’s 2025 German drama, Sound of Falling (originally titled In die Sonne schauen, meaning “Looking into the sun”), is a quietly powerful and deeply affecting film that transcends simple categorization. The film, which premiered in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and has been selected as Germany’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, offers a mesmerizing exploration of generational trauma, the enduring weight of history, and the subtle shifts in rural German life across decades. It’s a startling coming of age tale, unfolding not as a linear narrative, but as a series of interconnected fragments, each illuminating the others.
The film centers around a farmstead in the Altmark region of Germany, a landscape that becomes a character in itself. Schilinski masterfully weaves together four distinct time periods – the 1910s, the years surrounding World War II, the era of East Germany, and a more contemporary setting – all within the confines of this single location. The narrative doesn’t offer neat resolutions or easy answers; instead, it presents a fragmented, almost dreamlike quality, mirroring the way memories surface and intertwine. This non-linear structure, while initially disorienting, ultimately proves to be the film’s greatest strength, allowing viewers to piece together the complex history of the land and the families who have inhabited it.
A Generational Tapestry in the Altmark
Sound of Falling doesn’t rely on grand historical events to drive its narrative. Instead, it focuses on the intimate lives of the women who inhabit the farm, tracing their experiences through moments of joy, sorrow, and quiet resilience. The film’s structure, as noted by critics, is a visual and narrative palimpsest, with gestures, conversations, and situations recurring across time, creating a haunting sense of déjà vu. The Altmark region, described as the “cradle of Prussia,” provides a fitting backdrop for this exploration of German identity and the enduring legacy of the past.
The cast, led by Hanna Heckt, Lena Urzendowsky, Laeni Geiseler, Susanne Wuest, Luise Heyer, and Lea Drinda, delivers uniformly strong performances. Each actress embodies her character with a nuanced understanding of their internal struggles and their connection to the land. The film’s strength lies in its ability to convey complex emotions through subtle gestures and unspoken moments, rather than relying on overt melodrama. The performances are particularly notable for their restraint, allowing the weight of history to speak for itself.
From Cannes to the Oscars: A Critical Acclaim
Sound of Falling garnered significant attention at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize, sharing the honor with Oliver Laxe’s Sirat. This recognition propelled the film onto the international stage and solidified Schilinski’s position as a rising star in European cinema. The film’s subsequent selection as Germany’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards further underscores its critical acclaim. It successfully made the December shortlist for the category, increasing its chances for a nomination.
The film’s journey to the screen wasn’t without its challenges. Schilinski revealed that she and co-writer Louise Peter “had to defend the film for a long time and feared we might not be able to make it.” The Cannes Film Festival proved to be a turning point, expanding the film’s reach beyond a niche audience. As Schilinski explained, the festival “changed the course of events,” allowing the film to connect with a wider audience and receive the recognition it deserved.
Exploring Themes of Trauma and Repression
The narrative unfolds through the eyes of four generations of girls, each grappling with their own inner lives within the constraints of their family dynamics and the historical context of their time. In the 1910s, young Alma (Hanna Heckt) witnesses the harsh realities of rural life, including death and loss. During the final year of World War II, Erika (Lea Drinda) develops a disturbing obsession with an aging family member, reflecting the psychological toll of the war. These storylines, while separated by time, are connected by a shared sense of trauma and repression.
As noted in a review by NPR, Sound of Falling operates as a “folk-horror of German history,” telling stories from the peripheries and through the eyes of those most affected by the past. The film doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of German history, but it approaches them with a sensitivity and nuance that avoids sensationalism. The characters are not simply victims of circumstance; they are complex individuals struggling to make sense of their lives in a world shaped by conflict and loss.
The Significance of Place and Memory
The farmstead in the Altmark region is more than just a setting; it’s a repository of memories, a silent witness to generations of joy and sorrow. Schilinski and Peter spent a summer in the Altmark, discovering an abandoned farmstead that seemed to hold the echoes of the past. This location served as the inspiration for the film, and its eerie atmosphere permeates every scene. The film’s cinematography, by Fabian Gamper, beautifully captures the stark beauty of the landscape and the sense of isolation that pervades the farmstead.
The recurring motifs and visual echoes throughout the film reinforce the idea that the past is never truly gone. Gestures, conversations, and even objects reappear across time periods, creating a sense of continuity and highlighting the enduring impact of history on the present. Sound of Falling is a film that demands to be seen and re-seen, as each viewing reveals new layers of meaning and connection.
What’s Next for Sound of Falling?
As of March 6, 2026, the film continues to garner attention as the Academy Awards approach. The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on March 16, 2026, and the ceremony will take place on April 25, 2026. Whether or not Sound of Falling receives a nomination, its impact on the film world is already significant. The film is currently playing in select theaters and is available for streaming on various platforms.
Sound of Falling is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll. It’s a haunting and elegant meditation on memory, trauma, and the enduring power of place. It’s a film that deserves to be seen and discussed, and it marks Mascha Schilinski as a filmmaker to watch.
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