Introduction to Mascha Schilinski’s Film
"I am very nervous," says the 41-year-old director and screenwriter Mascha Schilinski. "I’m incredibly happy, but the nervousness predominates." She had hoped that her film would be shown at a big festival, and the feeling that this deserved this distinction. "But I didn’t really expect it. It’s a dream of a filmmaker!"
Representation at the Cannes International Film Festival
Now Schilinski fulfills this dream at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival, which runs from May 13th to 25th. German directors in Cannes are sometimes more difficult to find than a decent lunch for less than € 20. This year the country will also be represented by other notable directors, but Schilinski is the only German director with a film in the main competition since "Toni Erdmann" at the 2016 festival.
Competition for the Golden Palm Award
Schilinski’s film competes for the coveted Golden Palm Award with works by renowned directors. Her film is a significant representation of German cinema at the festival.
Portrait of Four Generations
"Sound of Falling" is set on a farm in a small village in northeastern Germany. It follows the life of four generations of women who live on the farm and interweave their stories by jumping back and forth under the different timelines until the boundaries between them are blurred. The film becomes a comprehensive presentation of a century, exploring the lives and experiences of these women.
The Female Perspective
The film focuses on a female perspective, which was very important for Schilinski and her co-author. "Sound of Falling" receives events from the perspective of women, exploring how they were exposed to various experiences over the course of a century. The female look is a rare and significant aspect of the film, as it delves into the emotions and feelings of the women characters.
The Director’s Background
Schilinski’s career path seems to be almost predestined, with her mother being a filmmaker. She began acting for film and television while still at school and later made film internships, worked as a casting agent, and studied script at the Hamburg film school. Her career will likely get a further increase when her latest film is shown in Cannes.
Reaction to the Invitation
Schilinski couldn’t quite believe when she got the invitation for her film to be shown in Cannes. She had to check whether the "official selection" was a kind of sidebar or actually the main competition. The notification came shortly before Christmas, confirming that her film was indeed in the main competition.
