Austria Picks Berlin Winner 'Rose' for Oscar Run

Austria has selected Markus Schleinzer's 'Rose' as its official submission for the International Oscar category. This critically lauded black-and-white period drama, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, saw star Sandra Hüller win the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance. The film is now vying for Oscar consideration.

'Rose' features Hüller as a disfigured soldier who appears in a secluded Protestant village during the Thirty Years' War. He claims ownership of a farmstead, gradually winning over the suspicious villagers with hard work and apparent piety, masking a quest for acceptance built on deception.

The film has garnered significant attention, with Mubi acquiring distribution rights for various territories including North America and the UK. Critics have lauded Hüller's performance, describing it as a remarkable display of chameleonic talent. This marks Schleinzer's third feature, following previous festival selections.

Schleinzer, a former casting director for acclaimed filmmakers like Michael Haneke, brings his distinctive vision to 'Rose.' The Austrian-German production is handled for sales by The Match Factory and is anticipated to have a release date set by Mubi.