Chiefly working as a casting director (for the likes of like Jessica Hausner and Michael Haneke) and acting since the 90s with most recent feature films in Sisi & I, Stella: A Life and Veni Vidi Vici, Markus Schleinzer‘s Michael (a horrifying true story portrait of a pedophile who locks a boy in his basement) was one of those rare times where a feature debut to break into the Palme d’Or competition at the 2011 edition of the Cannes Film Festival. His sophomore feature Angelo (which delves into the unsettling historical conditions and long-term ramifications of colonialism) premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival’s Platform section. The inspiration for his third film, a 17th-century period drama, began while the Austrian filmmaker was promoting his second feature. The seeds for his third outing, a 17th century period drama, were mentioned while the Austrian filmmaker was out promoting his second feature. Here is Everything We Know So Far … about Markus Schleinzer’s Rose.
Having researched the subject, Sandra Hüller was the first to join the project back in 2023. Production would have taken place in 2024 with filming having taken place across various locations in Austria and Germany. Post-production has pretty much lasted all of 2025.
Written by Schleinzer and Alexander Brom (re-teaming for a second time after Angelo), in the turmoil of the 30-year war, a mysterious soldier (Rose) appears in a secluded Protestant village. He claims to be the heir of a long-abandoned manor and is able to produce a document that supports his claim. To the great displeasure of the village community. However, the stranger tries everything he can to find happiness here. His quest for recognition and acceptance are complicated by his secret: under a false identity, under a false name and pretending to be of a false gender, the soldier has made his way to the village. But in order to achieve her goals, Rose will not even shy away from the impossibility of an arranged marriage with the daughter (Suzanna) of a big farmer. Because who has come so far, will soon consider everything possible.
Featuring Sandra Hüller (her character was inspired by numerous documented accounts of women disguised as men in European history), Caro Braun plays Suzanna, while Godehard Giese and Maria Drăguș portray Suzanna’s parents. Others include Robert Gwisdek and Augustino Renken.
Re-teaming with his Cinematographer Gerald Kerkletz, September 5 Editor Hansjörg Weißbrich is also part of the team. Producers include Schubert’s Johannes Schubert, ROW Pictures’ Karsten Stöter, Philipp Worm and Tobias Walker.
We could see Rose break into Golden Bear competition at the Berlinale next February. The Match Factory are handling sales.
