Sound of Falling (2025) by Mascha Schilinski

Description: German director Mascha Schilinski’s ambitious second feature, “Sound of Falling (2025),” is a historical drama and saga that weaves together the lives of four young girls across different time periods on a German farm. The film explores their mysterious connections and shared experiences, creating a tapestry where time itself seems to dissolve, offering a poetic and at times unnerving look at youth, family, and the echoes of the past.

Release Date on Streaming: A specific streaming release date for “Sound of Falling (2025)” is not available. Its availability on streaming platforms will follow its theatrical release in Germany and other territories and will depend on distribution deals.

Theatrical Release: “Sound of Falling (2025)” had its World Premiere in Competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2025. Its theatrical release in Germany is scheduled for September 11, 2025. Information about theatrical releases in other countries will be announced by international distributors.

Detailed Summary: Spanning a century, “Sound of Falling” is set on a German farm and follows the destinies of four young girls living there at different points in history. The film depicts their individual experiences of youth, family relationships, and the world around them, while simultaneously hinting at a deeper, mysterious connection that links their lives across generations. As the narrative unfolds, moving between different time periods, the boundaries between past and present begin to blur, creating a sense of timelessness. The film is described as both sprawling in its scope and intimate in its focus on the inner lives of these girls and women. It delves into themes of loss, grief, mortality, and the challenging paths faced by women throughout history, potentially touching upon the historical context of its German setting, including the legacy of East Germany as suggested by one review. Through a poetic and sometimes unsettling lens, the film explores how the experiences of one generation can resonate and impact those who come after, even as time seems to fold in on itself.

• The film follows the lives of four girls/women living on the same German farm across a century.

• Their individual stories in different time periods are presented.

• A mysterious connection links their lives across generations.

• The narrative structure blurs the lines between past and present.

• The film explores their experiences of youth, family, and the challenges they face.

The plot is a non-linear, multi-generational drama exploring themes of connection, time, and the experiences of women on a historical farm.

Director’s Vision: Mascha Schilinski, known for her focus on family relationships and the mysteries of youth in her previous film “Dark Blue Girl” and her short films, directs and co-wrote “Sound of Falling.” Her vision for this film is an ambitious saga that is both dramatic and poetic. She aims to explore the “mysteries and contradictions” of youth and the complex dynamics within families, spanning a significant historical period. Schilinski is described as having a “bold and visceral” vision, and some critics see the film as a declaration of artistic intent that prioritizes its unique approach over conventional audience expectations. The film’s structure, which dissolves time, is a deliberate choice to highlight the enduring connections and echoes across generations. While the title might suggest decline, the film, according to some interpretations, also contains elements of rising or transcendence.

• Time and History: The film explores the passage of time and how history, both personal and potentially societal, impacts individuals across generations.

• Family and Ancestry: The focus on girls and women on the same farm highlights themes of lineage, inherited experiences, and the bonds within families over time.

• Youth and Coming-of-Age: The film depicts the experiences of young girls in different eras, exploring the universal aspects of growing up alongside the specific challenges of their times.

• Loss, Grief, and Mortality: These themes are present as the characters face difficult circumstances and the reality of death.

• The Female Experience: The film specifically focuses on the paths and struggles of women across a century.

• Connection Across Generations: The mysterious links between the girls suggest themes of shared destiny, inherited trauma, or enduring spiritual connection.

• Place and Belonging: The farm as a central setting likely plays a significant role in the characters’ sense of identity and belonging.

• Ambitious and Unique Concept: The multi-generational narrative with a dissolving sense of time is a bold artistic choice.

• Director’s Distinct Style: Mascha Schilinski’s poetic and sometimes unsettling approach sets the film apart.

• Exploration of Profound Themes: The film delves into universal experiences of time, family, and mortality.

• Prestigious Festival Premiere: Being selected for the Main Competition at Cannes provides significant international visibility and critical attention.

• Strong Ensemble Cast: The film relies on the performances of actresses portraying characters across different ages.

• Visually Compelling: Early reviews suggest a notable visual style.

Summary Short: Mascha Schilinski’s “Sound of Falling (2025)” is a German historical drama that premiered in Competition at Cannes 2025, following four girls across a century on a farm, exploring their mysterious connections, youth, and the passage of time with a poetic and unsettling vision.

Awards and Nominations: “Sound of Falling (2025)” had its World Premiere in Competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2025. As a film in the Main Competition, it is eligible for the prestigious Palme d’Or and other major awards including the Grand Prix, Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. While specific award wins from Cannes are yet to be announced as of May 17, 2025, the film’s inclusion in competition is a significant recognition of its artistic merit. Mascha Schilinski is also nominated for awards related to the Main Competition.

Critics Reception: Critical reception for “Sound of Falling (2025)” following its Cannes premiere is mixed but includes significant praise from some notable critics. The film is seen as ambitious and artistically daring, though its unconventional structure and dark themes may not resonate with all viewers.

• Screendaily: Notes the film kicked off the Cannes jury grid with a strong score and describes it as Schilinski’s second feature following four girls whose lives intertwine until time seems to dissolve.

• RogerEbert.com: Describes the film as often feeling like a “death photo,” highlighting themes of loss, grief, pain, and mortality, and emphasizing the difficult paths for women across the four time periods.

• Filmmaker Magazine: Calls it an “appropriately grim” film that is a “150-minute sophomore feature and declaration of ‘I don’t care what the audience wants’ artistic intent.” It notes the non-linear structure and themes of sexual misdeeds, assaults, and suicide, linking them to inherited trauma and German historical equivalent. The review finds the film visually “firmly of-the-moment” but questions its ultimate point for a festival audience.

• Cineuropa: In a description of the film’s selection, highlights it as an “ambitious saga spanning a century” that follows the destiny of four young girls whose existence seems mysteriously connected. It notes Schilinski’s previous focus on family relationships and the mysteries of youth.

• Reviews On Reels: Describes the film as “thoughtful, layered, and filled with poetic moments” that demands full attention. It notes the focus on the inner lives of girls and women across decades and their shared sense of distance and restlessness. While finding the storytelling not always cohesive, it praises the visuals and the film’s exploration of longing and navigating a world shaped by others.

• Yahoo News Canada (Guest Column): A quote from Martin Moszkowicz of Constantin Film, referencing the film after its premiere, states, “Cinema is too small a word for what this sprawling yet intimate epic achieves in its ethereal, unnerving brilliance; forget Cannes, forget the Competition, forget the whole year, even — Sound of Falling is an all-timer.” This represents a very strong positive reaction from an industry figure.

Overall Critics Reception: “Sound of Falling” is a film that has clearly provoked strong reactions. Its selection for Cannes Competition and positive remarks from some critics indicate that it is seen as a significant and artistically valuable work. While its challenging nature and dark themes may lead to divided opinions, there is recognition for Mascha Schilinski’s bold vision, the film’s atmospheric qualities, and its ambitious scope.

Reviews: Detailed reviews from Cannes are providing in-depth analysis of the film’s structure, themes, and impact.

• Key Praises: Reviewers who responded positively have lauded the film’s ambitious concept and its unique approach to depicting the passage of time and intergenerational connection. Mascha Schilinski’s directorial vision is often described as bold, poetic, and unsettling. The film’s atmosphere, visuals, and cinematography have been highlighted as strengths. The performances of the ensemble cast portraying the characters across different ages are crucial and have been noted in reviews. The film’s willingness to tackle dark and difficult themes with artistic intent is also appreciated by some.

• Points of Criticism: The film’s non-linear structure and deliberate vagueness have been mentioned as potentially making it challenging or distancing for some viewers. Some reviews have found the narrative to be fragmented or repetitive in parts. The grimness of the themes, including depictions of sexual misdeeds and suicide, has been noted as potentially overwhelming or difficult to engage with.

Overall Reviews: The available reviews suggest that “Sound of Falling” is a critically divisive but artistically significant film. While its challenging nature may not appeal to everyone, those who connect with its unique style and thematic depth are likely to find it a powerful and memorable cinematic experience.

Production: “Sound of Falling (2025)” is a German production. The film was directed by Mascha Schilinski, who co-wrote the screenplay with Louise Peter. Producers include Lasse Scharpen and Lucas Schmidt, with Burkhard Althoff and Melvina Kotios as ZDF producers, and Maren Schmitt as executive producer. The film features an ensemble cast including Hanna Heckt, Lena Urzendowsky, Laeni Geiseler, Susanne Wuest, and Luise Heyer. Fabian Gamper was the cinematographer, Evelyn Rack was the editor (with Billie Mind as junior editor), and Eike Hosenfeld and Michael Fiedler composed the music. Cosima Vellenzer was the production designer, and Sabrina Krämer was the costume designer. The film has a runtime of 149 or 150 minutes.

• Neue Visionen (Germany) – Distributing in Germany.

• Distribution in other territories will be handled by companies that acquire the rights from MK2 Films.

Why to Recommend This Movie:

• Ambitious and Artistically Daring: The film’s unique structure and approach to time and narrative are noteworthy.

• From a Promising German Director: See the latest work from Mascha Schilinski, recognized at Cannes.

• Exploration of Profound and Challenging Themes: The film delves into complex aspects of life, death, and generational connection.

• Strong Visuals and Atmosphere: The film is praised for its aesthetic qualities and unsettling mood.

• Prestigious Festival Recognition: Premiering in Competition at Cannes is a significant indicator of artistic importance.

• If You Appreciate Non-Linear and Experimental Storytelling: Experience a film that plays with narrative structure.

• Interested in Films About Family, History, and Time: Explore a multi-generational saga with a unique perspective.

• For German Cinema and European Art-House Films: Discover a critically recognized film from Germany.

• To See a Director with a Bold Vision: Experience Mascha Schilinski’s distinctive directorial style.

• Interested in Films That Spark Discussion: The film’s themes and approach are likely to provoke thought and interpretation.

What Movie Trend film is Following: Art-House Cinema / Non-Linear Narratives / Films Exploring Generational Trauma and Connection: The film aligns with art-house trends that prioritize artistic expression and thematic depth, often employing non-linear storytelling. Its focus on connecting lives across generations and exploring difficult historical or familial legacies also fits within films dealing with generational trauma and inherited experience.

What Big Social Trend is Following: Increased Interest in Exploring Complex Histories and Their Impact on the Present: The film’s multi-generational scope and potential engagement with German history, possibly including the legacy of East Germany, tap into a broader societal interest in understanding how the past continues to shape the present and the lives of individuals. It contributes to discussions about historical memory and its personal and collective impact.

Final Verdict: “Sound of Falling (2025)” is a bold and artistically ambitious film from Mascha Schilinski that has made a significant splash with its World Premiere in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival. This multi-generational saga, unfolding across a German farm, is a visually striking and atmospherically rich exploration of time, family, and the enduring, sometimes unsettling, connections between lives across a century. While its non-linear structure and engagement with dark themes like loss, grief, and difficult female experiences may present a challenge for some viewers, the film’s poetic sensibility, strong visuals, and Mascha Schilinski’s distinct directorial voice have earned it significant praise and recognition. As a film that encourages interpretation and reflection, “Sound of Falling” is a compelling watch for those who appreciate daring art-house cinema and are interested in a unique perspective on the complexities of history, family, and the human condition.

Recommendations for Film Makers:

• Embrace Non-Linear Storytelling to Explore Complex Themes: The film demonstrates how playing with chronology can offer a unique way to connect narratives and ideas across time.

• Use Setting as a Central Element: Allowing a specific location, like the farm, to be a consistent presence across different time periods can provide a powerful anchor for a multi-generational story.

• Find a Distinct Visual and Atmospheric Style: Creating a strong aesthetic can enhance the emotional impact and thematic resonance of a film, particularly when dealing with abstract concepts like time and memory.

• Be Prepared to Tackle Difficult Subjects with Artistic Intent: The film shows that engaging with challenging themes can lead to powerful and thought-provoking cinema, even if it proves divisive for some audiences.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Support and Champion Artistically Ambitious Films: Recognize the value of films that take creative risks and prioritize artistic expression, even if they don’t fit traditional commercial molds.

• Invest in and Distribute World Cinema with Unique Voices: Provide platforms for directors like Mascha Schilinski who bring distinctive cultural perspectives and cinematic styles to the global stage.

• Promote Films That Encourage Discussion and Interpretation: Highlight movies that spark dialogue and engage viewers on an intellectual and emotional level.

• Recognize the Importance of Film Festivals in Launching Challenging Films: Acknowledge the crucial role of festivals like Cannes in providing a platform and generating attention for art-house and unconventional cinema.