Markus Schleinzer discusses film ‘Rose’ and Sandra Hüller

Filmmaker Markus Schleinzer discusses his transition from a 17-year career as a casting director to directing, a move encouraged by his former collaborator, Michael Haneke. Schleinzer previously worked closely with Haneke, who provided him with opportunities to direct background performers and eventually urged him to write his own script.

Schleinzer’s third feature film, ‘Rose’, is a black-and-white historical drama that recently screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival. The film stars Sandra Hüller as a woman in 17th-century Germany who disguises herself as a male soldier. The narrative explores themes of gender, belonging, and the societal contradictions regarding individual contribution and freedom.