The Magician - Mascha Schilinski's Chance for the Oscar - Berlin Director’s Looking into the Sun Stuns Cannes and Eyes the Oscars
Berlin filmmaker Mascha Schilinski has made waves with her latest movie, Looking into the Sun. The film took home the Jury Prize at Cannes, surprising critics and audiences alike. Now, it stands as a strong contender for both the European Film Award and a potential Oscar nomination.
The story follows four young women living on the same farm in the Altmark region across four different eras—the 1910s, the 1940s, the 1980s, and today. Their lives, though separated by decades, are quietly linked by something deeper than time.
Schilinski’s inspiration for the film stretches back to her own childhood. Growing up in an old Berlin apartment, she often wondered, Who lived here before me? That question stayed with her, even as she travelled the world in her twenties—including a time spent with a small, animal-free Italian circus.
She wanted to make a film she herself had longed to see. Looking into the Sun weaves together stories of intergenerational trauma, violence, and fleeting moments of intimacy. The narrative shifts between eras, revealing how the lives of these four women—each living on the same farm—are connected in ways that words alone can’t explain.
Since its Cannes debut, the film has earned international acclaim. Schilinski has spent months on the road, presenting it at festivals and screenings worldwide. Now, with the European Film Award ceremony on January 17 and the Oscar shortlist announcement on January 22, her work is gaining even more attention.
Looking into the Sun has already secured the Jury Prize at Cannes. Its upcoming appearances at the European Film Awards and the Oscars could bring it wider recognition. The film’s exploration of hidden bonds between women across time continues to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
