Discover the exceptional performances of German actress Sandra Hüller who got best actress nomination at the Oscars. The German actress was featured on the cover of THR's Toronto Film Festival issue, with the headline "Actress of the Year?" This recognition was bestowed upon Hüller for her exceptional performances in two remarkable films of 2023.
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In Justine Triet's mystery thriller Anatomy of a Fall, she portrayed a novelist who is accused of murder, while in Jonathan Glazer's Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest, she portrayed a domestic Nazi.
About Sandra Hüller
Sandra Hüller, a renowned German actress, has accumulated immense honour for her exceptional performances in various films. Notably, her portrayal of Anneliese Michel in Hans-Christian Schmid's 2006 drama 'Requiem' earned her the prestigious Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 2006 Berlin Film Festival. Internationally, she is widely recognized for her leading role in Maren Ade's 2016 comedy Toni Erdmann, which earned her the European Film Award for Best Actress. With a remarkable career, Hüller has been nominated for the German Film Award six times and emerged victorious on three occasions. Her talent has transcended borders, as she has graced the screens of German, Austrian, American, British, and French cinema.
Hüller's outstanding performance in Anatomy of a Fall earned her a well-deserved nomination for the 2024 Oscars in the best actress category. Additionally, both Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest received nominations in the best picture and best director categories.
Anatomy of a Fall
Anatomy of a Fall depicts the life of Sandra, a German writer, and her husband Samuel, who is also a writer. Their professional conflict often leads to arguments, causing tension in their household. Recently, their 11-year-old son Daniel had an accident that caused him losing his sight, further exacerbating the strained atmosphere. Unfortunately, due to their isolation, there is no one to witness their daily activities or comprehend the complexities of their troubled marriage.
One day, after Daniel takes their Border Collie, Snoop, for a walk in the freezing snow, he returns home to discover that his father has fallen from the roof. With no witnesses and Daniel unable to see what transpired, suspicion initially falls on Sandra. As she narrates the incident to her diligent lawyer, Vincent, she must establish that the fall was an unfortunate accident and that she had no involvement in any foul play. However, this task becomes increasingly arduous as the court case reveals intimate details about her strained relationship with Samuel.
The film's title refers to Anatomy of a Marriage would have been a more fitting choice referring to Samuel's fall from the roof. The French justice system swiftly establishes that Samuel's fall could have been an accident, although it was highly improbable. As the prosecuting attorney portrays Sandra as a villain, the tone of the case changes. It is revealed that Sandra had engaged in extramarital affairs throughout their relationship, and the couple frequently clashed over their writing careers. The question of who is responsible for Daniel's accident is also frequently raised. Initially, Sandra blamed Samuel for not watching Daniel, which further raises suspicions about her potential involvement in her husband's demise.
In both Jonathan Glazer's drama "The Zone of Interest" and Justine Triet's legal thriller "Anatomy of a Fall," the German actor demonstrates her versatility (and her adeptness with languages). These films premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where "Anatomy" was awarded the Palme d'Or and "Zone" received the runner-up Grand Prix prize. With both movies currently making their rounds, Huller took the time to visit Variety's Awards Circuit Podcast and discuss the fervent responses that these distinct films have been generating.
Hüller made a significant impact on most Americans when she appeared in the 2016 comedy-drama "Toni Erdmann," which also received an Oscar nomination for the best foreign language film category. Her portrayal of a daughter dealing with her mischievous father garnered widespread acclaim, capturing the attention of Hollywood, albeit temporarily.
Hüller's exceptional performance in Anatomy of a Fall earned her the prestigious title of Best Actress at the European Film Awards last year. Furthermore, she received nominations in the Best Actress categories at both the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs.
With her recent Oscar nomination, Hüller has achieved a remarkable feat as the first German actress to be recognized in the Best Actress category at the Academy Awards since Luise Rainer. Rainer, who secured consecutive Best Actress Oscars in 1936 and 1937, remains an iconic figure in German cinema. Hüller's nomination also places her among the select few German actresses to have ever received this esteemed recognition, joining the ranks of Rainer and Marlene Dietrich.
