The film is based on the novel Le assaggiatrici by Rosella Postorino, winner of the 2018 Campiello prize, which sold over a million copies in 46 countries worldwide, a story that shines a new light on that which not even war can to tear from the hearts and bodies of women and men. The book was inspired by the testimony of Margot Wölk, who revealed shortly before her death in 2012, at the age of 95, that she had been one of several young women forced to taste Hitler's meals. No one had ever heard of their existence before. Margot Wölk was the only one to survive the end of the war.
The story is set in autumn 1943. Having fled bombed Berlin, Rosa arrives in a small, isolated village near the eastern border. This is where her in-laws live and her husband has written to her from the front telling her to shelter here while awaiting his return. Rosa soon discovers that the seemingly peaceful village hides a secret: Hitler has his headquarters, the Wolf's Lair, in the neighbouring forest. The Führer sees enemies everywhere, and is obsessed with the idea of being poisoned. Rosa is taken with other young women from the village one morning at dawn to taste the food cooked for him. Torn between the fear of dying and hunger, the tasters form alliances, friendships and secret pacts. Rosa, the Berliner, struggles to be accepted. When she finally overcomes the distrust towards her, something happens that will make her feel guilty. Against all logic and in spite of herself, an SS officer reawakens love in her. Perhaps instead it is the simple need to feel alive, despite everything.
The film was shot in Belgium and South Tyrol, from May 17, 2024. The South Tyrolean locations included Val Venosta, mostly Silandro - Schlanders, with a great deal of construction inside the former Caserma Druso - Drususkaserne. Some filming took place in the municipality of Prato allo Stelvio.
The film is based on the novel Le assaggiatrici by Rosella Postorino, winner of the 2018 Campiello prize, which sold over a million copies in 46 countries worldwide, a story that shines a new light on that which not even war can to tear from the hearts and bodies of women and men. The book was inspired by the testimony of Margot Wölk, who revealed shortly before her death in 2012, at the age of 95, that she had been one of several young women forced to taste Hitler's meals. No one had ever heard of their existence before. Margot Wölk was the only one to survive the end of the war.
The story is set in autumn 1943. Having fled bombed Berlin, Rosa arrives in a small, isolated village near the eastern border. This is where her in-laws live and her husband has written to her from the front telling her to shelter here while awaiting his return. Rosa soon discovers that the seemingly peaceful village hides a secret: Hitler has his headquarters, the Wolf's Lair, in the neighbouring forest. The Führer sees enemies everywhere, and is obsessed with the idea of being poisoned. Rosa is taken with other young women from the village one morning at dawn to taste the food cooked for him. Torn between the fear of dying and hunger, the tasters form alliances, friendships and secret pacts. Rosa, the Berliner, struggles to be accepted. When she finally overcomes the distrust towards her, something happens that will make her feel guilty. Against all logic and in spite of herself, an SS officer reawakens love in her. Perhaps instead it is the simple need to feel alive, despite everything.
The film was shot in Belgium and South Tyrol, from May 17, 2024. The South Tyrolean locations included Val Venosta, mostly Silandro - Schlanders, with a great deal of construction inside the former Caserma Druso - Drususkaserne. Some filming took place in the municipality of Prato allo Stelvio.
Autumn 1943. Having fled bombed Berlin, Rosa arrives in a small, isolated village near the eastern border. This is where her in-laws live and her husband has written to her from the front telling her to shelter here while awaiting his return. Rosa soon discovers that the seemingly peaceful village hides a secret: Hitler has his headquarters, the Wolf's Lair, in the neighbouring forest. The Führer sees enemies everywhere, and is obsessed with the idea of being poisoned. Rosa is taken with other young women from the village one morning at dawn to taste the food cooked for him. Torn between the fear of dying and hunger, the tasters form alliances, friendships and secret pacts. Rosa, the Berliner, struggles to be accepted. When she finally overcomes the distrust towards her, something happens that will make her feel guilty. Against all sense, and in spite of herself, an SS officer reawakens love in her. Perhaps instead it is the simple need to feel alive, despite everything.
