10 · 18 · 26

Markus Schleinzer Shines at the 24th FICM With the Screening of His Film ROSE

Brisa Naomi Rojas Laguna

Austrian director and screenwriter Markus Schleinzer attended the 24th Morelia International Film Festival (FICM) to present his latest feature film, Rose, starring Sandra Hüller, winner of the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the last Berlin International Film Festival.

During the presentation, Daniela Michel, the festival’s founder and director, welcomed the filmmaker and thanked him for coming to Morelia, highlighting the value of bringing international filmmakers together with Mexican audiences.

The filmmaker was recognized for his extensive work as a casting director on more than 60 productions by filmmakers such as Michael Haneke and Jessica Hausner. His filmography as a director includes Michael (2011) and Angelo (2018), both of which share the commonality of having a proper name as their title.

Schleinzer highlighted the importance of going to the movies as a political act and invited the audience to reclaim these social spaces, taking the opportunity to thank the festival for creating and fostering these spaces.

After the screening, the director held a Q&A session with an audience that welcomed him with applause. He shared that the inspiration for Rose began in a very casual yet profound way. He got a call from a friend wishing him a happy birthday, and at the end of the conversation, he mentioned having read about a woman who had been executed 200 years earlier on that very same date. Upon investigating this event, he discovered historical records of around 300 women who assumed male identities and wore trousers in order to live their lives in Europe.

While their individual reasons ranged from “avoiding unwanted marriages and sexual harassment to seeking an education, financial independence, or serving in the military,” Schleinzer pointed out that their primary goal was always the same: to achieve the freedom that society typically granted only to men. He also noted that he developed this period drama as a mirror of the present, seeking to help raise awareness about the marginalization of women and the persistent gender gap.

When discussing the symbolism of Rose, the filmmaker explained that he sought to create a complete narrative circle, in which ashes represent both death and rebirth. Through this metaphor, he expressed his reflection on the legacy for future generations and the importance of continuing to forge a path toward greater equality.

Set in 17th-century Europe, against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War, Rose tells the story of a woman who assumes a male identity to claim property and build a life for herself in a society that restricts women’s freedoms. Through this character, Schleinzer explores identity, belonging, and the difficulties of challenging social norms.