Interview by Emmanuel Itier

THE SILENT FOREST

Berlin 2022

With Director: Saralisa Volm

Q: Tell me about the origin of this film and what was the idea behind it?

Saralisa: The project is based on a novel written by Wolfram Fleischhauer. We were working on another project before and he gave me this novel. He knew I’m from Bavaria and that I have an attraction for intriguing stories that are relevant. As expected by him I really like the novel and I really thought I could make a great movie from it. I immediately thought it could be our next film. And the rest if history…

Q: What did you see in the book that was so inspiring for you?

Saralisa: What inspired me was the least character, “Anja Grimm”, played by Henriette Confurius. She returns to this forest where her father disappeared, and she is able to really read and feel this forest. I thought this was quite unique. The film is truly about family dramas and how from generation to generation some issues remain unspoken. It’s a real emotional ride.

Q: Tell me about the various difficulties you met to make this film?

Saralisa: It’s always complicated to make a first feature. I had never made a film before, and I don’t come from film school. So, this was quite a challenge for me. It wasn’t easy to convince people to get it financed and to explain how it was an important movie to film. But I overcame all the challenges, and I was able to really make the movie I wanted to make.

Q: At the end, what is this film truly about for you?

Saralisa: I hope people can figure out for themselves what it is truly about for them. I really think it’s about family relationship and how we need to maintain a line of communication between us in spite of the possible tensions that can rise within a family synergy.

Q: What does Berlin mean to you? Why is it such a great festival to attend?

Saralisa: Berlin is so special for me since I live here. I attend it every year and I’m so pleased the film is shown here. It’s important to show my movie in a theatre and with an audience. It’s a crucial moment and I’m so excited to be at the Berlinale.