Sandra Hüller, the Oscar-nominated star of 'Anatomy of a Fall,' spoke about her demanding role in Markus Schleinzer’s period drama 'Rose,' where she portrays a 17th-century woman disguised as a man. The black-and-white film, set after the Thirty Years’ War, premieres in competition at the Berlinale. Hüller detailed the physical and emotional preparations for the part in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Sandra Hüller is set for a prominent year in film, with roles in upcoming projects alongside Tom Cruise in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s 'Digger' and Ryan Gosling in Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s 'Project Hail Mary.' However, she returns to European arthouse roots with 'Rose,' directed by Austrian filmmaker Markus Schleinzer, whose previous features include 'Michael' (2011) and 'Angelo' (2018).
The story unfolds in the aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), a conflict that devastated parts of Germany, with death tolls exceeding 50 percent in some regions. Hüller plays Rose, a scarred soldier who has lived as a man and arrives at a village to claim an abandoned farm, posing as the owner’s long-lost son. The villagers gradually accept her, but she lives in fear of discovery, which could prove fatal. The narrative draws from real historical cases of women living as men in 17th-century Germany and Austria.
In the interview, Hüller explained her attraction to the role: “I read the script and found it very interesting. I liked the idea of portraying someone like this and of the possibility of creating a kind of monument, a testament to her. I also wanted to know whether I could pull it off.” She highlighted differences from her stage experience playing male roles, such as Hamlet, noting the heightened stakes in film due to the realistic disguise and peril.
Preparation involved meticulous costumes by Doris Bartelt, including chest binding, a penis prosthetic, and full-body padding, which Hüller described as “like armor.” Makeup artist Anette Keiser helped transform her face daily. Movement was key, with Hüller aiming for calmness to avoid clichés: “It was more about calmness and thoughtfulness, about Rose always having a sense of what’s happening around her.”
Filming occurred on location in eastern Germany and Austria, with Schleinzer building authentic sets, including real houses and animals, to immerse the cast. Unlike 'The Zone of Interest,' where natural light was used, 'Rose' employed black-and-white cinematography and artificial lighting. The production spanned seasons, challenging continuity.
Hüller reflected on the film’s relevance: “We live in a time when the freedom of people who don’t fit into a certain mold is once again massively threatened. Showing that 300 or 400 years ago, people had to hide like this just to survive... is a warning.” She emphasized its modern layers, including authentic connection beyond imposed identities.
