Brief
Sandra Hüller Stars in ‘Rose’, a 17th‑Century Soldier‑Disguise Drama
The film’s trailer reveals Hüller’s complex role and the director’s playful collaboration.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The trailer for the 17th‑century drama Rose shows Sandra Hüller as a woman who disguises herself as a male soldier in a Protestant village after the Thirty Years’ War. The film, directed by Markus Schleinzer, premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February, where Hüller won the Silver Bear for best lead performance, and has since opened at Telluride and New York.
In the trailer, Hüller’s character struggles with voice and physicality, a challenge that the director and actress explored during rehearsals. Schleinzer recalled that they laughed when they discovered his voice was higher than Hüller’s, making it odd for her to lower her voice to appear male. The pair described their working relationship as playful and collaborative, a dynamic that helped shape Hüller’s nuanced portrayal.
Schleinzer first conceived the story after a friend told him that 250 years ago a woman had been executed for living as a man. He researched hundreds of similar cases and felt the story resonated with contemporary fears faced by marginalized communities. In a statement, he said, “Every life, every day is a political act — so we cannot hide.”
Hüller’s performance has been praised for its honesty and physicality. David Rooney of the Hollywood Reporter called the film a “master class in the art of acting with rigor, honesty, physicality and zero showiness.” The trailer also highlights the film’s political themes, with Schleinzer noting that the story is “another extraordinary showcase for her gifts.”
Key facts
- Sandra Hüller plays a woman disguising herself as a male soldier in a Protestant village after the Thirty Years’ War (hollywoodreporter.com)
- The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February, where Hüller won the Silver Bear for best lead performance (hollywoodreporter.com)
- The director, Markus Schleinzer, is queer and said the story reflects contemporary fears of marginalized communities (hollywoodreporter.com)
- David Rooney of the Hollywood Reporter praised the film as a “master class in the art of acting with rigor, honesty, physicality and zero showiness.” (hollywoodreporter.com)
Background
The film follows a woman who must conceal her gender to survive in a post‑war village, a narrative that echoes historical cases of gender disguise. Schleinzer’s research into similar stories informs the film’s political undertones.
Timeline
- 2026-02-01 — Berlin Film Festival premiere of "Rose"
- 2026-08-01 — Telluride Film Festival North American premiere
- 2026-09-28 — New York screening
Why it matters
The film’s exploration of gender disguise and political themes offers a contemporary lens on historical oppression, resonating with current discussions on identity and marginalization.
What happens next
The film will continue its festival run and is slated for wider theatrical release later this year.
Sources
- [1] hollywoodreporter.com — originally reported as “‘Rose’ Trailer: Watch a First Look at Sandra Hüller’s Next Must-See Performance (Exclusive)”
