Austria has named Rose, a black‑and‑white period drama directed by Markus Schleinzer and starring Sandra Hüller, as its official submission for the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category. The film, which premiered in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, won Hüller the festival’s Silver Bear for best leading performance.
Festival acclaim and distribution
Rose is a co‑production between Austria and Germany, produced by Schubert, Row Pictures and Walker + Worm Film, with Johannes Schubert, Philipp Worm, Tobias Walker and Karsten Stöter credited as producers. The film was picked up by streaming and distribution company Mubi, which acquired rights for North America, the UK, Ireland, Italy, Turkey, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. Sales are handled by The Match Factory, which has already sold the film into a number of overseas markets.
The film marks Schleinzer’s third feature. His earlier work includes Michael (2011), which premiered in competition at Cannes, and Angelo (2018), which screened in competition at the San Sebastián and Toronto festivals. Schleinzer is also known for a long career as a casting director working with leading European filmmakers.
Story and performance
Set during the turmoil of the Thirty Years’ War, Rose follows a disfigured stranger who arrives in a secluded Protestant village and claims to be the heir to an abandoned farmstead. Bearing a document to support his claim, the man gradually overcomes villagers’ suspicions and integrates into the community through hard work and outward piety, his acceptance built upon “impossible deceit,” according to the film synopsis.
“A remarkable piece of work, one that cements [Hüller’s] reputation as a striking yet surprisingly chameleonic talent,”
The remark comes from film critic Damon Wise, who praised Hüller’s performance after the Berlinale premiere. Hüller’s body of recent work includes high‑profile projects such as Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest, and she has also appeared opposite Ryan Gosling in the commercial science‑fiction film Project Hail Mary.
What this means for the awards season
A nation’s official submission is the first step in the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film process. Austria’s choice of a festival‑lauded, black‑and‑white period piece positions it among other art‑house films that have historically fared well with both festival juries and Academy voters. The film’s festival pedigree, Hüller’s award and the backing of established international sales and distribution partners give Rose visibility in the awards circuit.
- Director: Markus Schleinzer
- Lead actor: Sandra Hüller (Silver Bear winner, Berlinale)
- Production: Austrian‑German co‑production; producers include Johannes Schubert
- Distributor/sales: Mubi (territorial rights), The Match Factory (sales)
| Previous films | Festival highlights |
|---|---|
| Michael (2011) | Cannes — Competition |
| Angelo (2018) | San Sebastián, Toronto — Competition |
For South African audiences and filmmakers, Rose’s trajectory illustrates the continuing importance of European festivals as launchpads for international recognition and distribution partnerships. The film’s combination of festival awards, notable lead performance and an established sales and streaming partner reflects current pathways through which non‑English language cinema finds global audiences.
Mubi has not yet announced a public release date for Rose. The film will now enter the long lead‑up to the Academy Awards, where national submissions are reviewed by the Academy before shortlists and final nominations are determined.
