Sound of Falling is such an exceptional film that it defies explanation. It is more of a tone poem than a narrative, but one that excels at evoking complex emotions. Some of the scenes have a dreamlike quality, as if they are a memory, and they are often narrated by one of the protagonists, who often seem to have knowledge well beyond their character currently on the screen, as if they are commenting from the afterlife. Often just before a transition, a main character will look straight into the camera as if they are aware that we are seeing into the deepest recesses of their soul. Other scenes are set to a soundtrack, often evoking an ethereal mood. Symbols and motifs echo through the generations, like falling, fish, warmth, and death rituals.
The themes here are sexuality, gender dynamics, death, and coming of age. While times, customs, and power dynamics may morph, life was brutal for women over the century. Still, the women here are not passive victims; they are fully fleshed out characters trying to navigate the barriers around them. Despite the intensity of the subject matter, the film does not seem heavy-handed. For some of the subjects, it comes at them sideways. And the layering through the decades provides a slow, cumulative effect that takes a while to build. Sometimes, like the characters themselves, you don’t see the full consequences of trauma until you see the effects on a person years later, in another timeline.
“This is an accomplished, sophisticated work of art that feels mature, rich, and new.”
The writing, by Louise Peter and director Mascha Schilinski, is exceptional, as is the editing by Evelyn Rack and Billie Mind. We start off confused, and slowly things start to click as the threads weave together. But it is the overall look and feel of the film that is truly mind-blowing. The fact that Sound of Falling is only the second film from German director Mascha Schilinski is astounding. This is an accomplished, sophisticated work of art that feels mature, rich, and new.
Sound of Falling isn’t a popcorn movie, or something you can watch while distracted. This is cinema as pure art, and requires concentration and reflection. No matter how one is able to see it — an arthouse cinema or streaming service — this is a must-see for its haunting beauty and profound artistry. It is a film like no other.
Sound of Falling screened at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
"…an accomplished, sophisticated work of art that feels mature, rich, and new."
