Markus Schleinzer discussed his film ‘Rose’ at the Vancouver International Film Festival, reflecting on its lead performer Sandra Hüller and the project’s thematic concerns. The black-and-white historical drama stars Hüller as a woman who assumes a male soldier’s identity in 17th-century Germany. Schleinzer, who spent 17 years as a casting director before becoming a filmmaker, credits that background with shaping his directorial approach and his ability to identify performers suited to specific roles.
Schleinzer wrote the role of Rose specifically for Hüller, whose performance continues to resonate with him despite numerous viewings. He described her work as demonstrating considerable craft, noting that certain scenes and dialogue still move him emotionally in ways comparable to a first-time audience member. The film adapted from a lengthy prose work of approximately 1,000 pages, with the filmmaking team condensing the narrative by focusing on the final 200 pages to create a workable feature-length screenplay.
The genesis of ‘Rose’ stemmed from a conversation in which a friend mentioned a historical account of a woman executed centuries earlier for wearing trousers. This prompted Schleinzer to research historical archives, where he discovered numerous accounts of women who disguised themselves as men for various reasons including escaping unwanted marriages, gaining access to education and employment, and military service. He noted that some individuals may have been lesbian or transgender by modern understanding.
Schleinzer characterized the film as examining how societies restrict individuals based on gender while simultaneously valuing their potential contributions. The narrative centers on Rose’s desire for basic freedoms—to work, belong, and serve—rather than revolutionary aims. He framed ‘Rose’ as a broader commentary on the masks individuals construct daily to navigate social constraints, distinguishing between protective armor and restrictive cages. Schleinzer emphasized that the film functions as recognition for those compelled to conceal their identities to achieve lives others take for granted.
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