Rose

Rose is a woman living as a man, with no intention of giving up the freedom her identity affords her. Discreet in her day-to-day life, she carefully navigates the small rural community around her, making changes to her body and appearance to protect her secret. But living in close quarters with a small group of servants makes privacy increasingly difficult, and cracks begin to form in the life she has constructed.

As questions from the locals become more pointed and her privacy is breached, Rose’s perseverance and courage are put to the test. In addition to the chilling black-and-white cinematography, Hüller is sensational, quietly expressing despair and rage through a layered, complex character we desperately want to see succeed.

We are constantly in awe of Rose’s commitment to a life of gender rebellion in the name of personal liberation. This is summed up in her wonderfully defiant belief that she lives as a man not because she wants to be male, but because “trousers are freeing”! An oddly relevant sentiment for a beautifully shot period drama set in the 17th century.

An unmissable film, with many critics already calling it one of Hüller’s best performances yet.