DIE EINSIEDLER

Albert (30), now the only child of poor mountain farmers Marianne and Rudl, works in a quarry in the valley, the only way to keep the centuries-old farm going. But the introverted and lonely man finds life hard, unable to fit in, sometimes returning at night to sleep in the hayloft. When Rudl dies, Marianne fears Albert will want to return, so she keeps it silent, now working the farm on her own, her strength failing and winter coming. Meanwhile Albert has fallen in love with Paola, a Hungarian and the canteen cook; his life suddenly has a whole new light. But when winter breaks and Marianne can no longer hide Rudl’s death, just as Paola announces her return to Hungary, Albert now has only three days to put his life in order and decide his future.

photo © Ronny Trocker