What is the plot of the film 'Sound of Falling'?

"Sound of Falling" tells the story of four generations of women on a German farm, exploring intergenerational trauma and hidden family secrets through a non-linear narrative.

Where is the film 'Sound of Falling' set?

The film is set on a farm in the Altmark region of northern Germany, near the historically significant River Elbe.

Who are the main characters in 'Sound of Falling'?

The film features four protagonists: Alma (1910s), Erika (1940s), Angelika (1980s), and Lenka (2020s), each representing a different generation of women on the farm.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Generations of Women, Echoes of Trauma on German Farm

Generations of Women, Echoes of Trauma on German Farm

12 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Film explores four generations of women on a German farm.
Narrative weaves intergenerational trauma through fractured timelines.
Focuses on female gaze absent in historical documentation.

Generations of Women, Echoes of Trauma on German Farm

The Jury Prize-winning feature "Sound of Falling" (Original title: "In die Sonne schauen") chronicles the interwoven lives of four generations of women on a farm in Germany's Altmark region. This impressionistic drama, Germany's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars, uses a fractured, non-linear narrative to explore the lingering effects of intergenerational trauma and history.

Set near the historically turbulent River Elbe, the film connects Alma (1910s), Erika (1940s), Angelika (1980s), and Lenka (2020s) through their shared experiences on the homestead. It captures "tiny quiet tremors" of deep-seated family desperation and violence, presenting cruel events as everyday occurrences.

Co-written by Mascha Schilinski and Louise Peter, the film highlights the female gaze, uncovering disturbing historical facts about women's lives. It illustrates a profound yearning to exist without the weight of the past, contrasting it with the body's betrayals and the enduring echo of unaddressed traumas within the farm's walls.