KEIN WORT / HANNA SLAK
Drama, feature-length film (100’)
Developed at EAVE producers workshop, writing supported by BKM, co-developed by the Mini-Traité CNC-FFA and by Creative Europe MEDIA
Orchestra conductor Nina (42) is on the brink of a career-defining concert of ‘Mahler's 5th Symphony’ with the Berlin Philharmonic, when rehearsals are suddenly interrupted by the news of an incident in which her son Lars (12) has harmed himself. Putting her professional success on the line she decides to devote herself entirely to her son.
She takes Lars to the island where they used to spend their summers, far away from the controlled environment of the city. But in winter, the cold wind howls above the dark cliffs and the almost abandoned island is not the refuge Nina had hoped for. Confined inside a house in a small bay, Nina fails to get closer to her son whose behavior she finds increasingly troubling. Concern turns to fear when suspicions start growing about his possible involvement in the death of a schoolmate girl. As a winter storm cuts off the island from the mainland, her paranoia culminates in a fierce confrontation that results in a series of dangerous misunderstandings. Constantly close to the abyss, we fear for their lives on every step towards a gripping climax. Finally Lars’ innocence is proved and Nina decides to risk her professional reputation and stays longer on the island. She helps Lars repair a broken boat; connected by the mutual effort, they start to speak to each other again. Nina feels hopeful, inspired by the feral wind, and ready for her great concert.
KEIN WORT is the 4th feature length film by Berlin based, award winning director Hanna Slak. Centred on the relationship of a single mother and her child the film explores the nature of trust and the consequences of its loss. It expresses how important it is to change, communicate genuinely, and open to the other in order to build stronger relationships.
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