Lacrimosa
Mysterious. Surreal. Letting go. Heartfelt. Follow the young girl, Mila, as she journeys through unexpected twists and turns, changing landscapes, and even meets her lost lover.
“Lacrimosa” is directed by the award-winning Tanja Mairitsch from Austria, and has been shown around the world at multiple international film festivals including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Hollyshorts Film Festival, and the WAG Film Festival. “Lacrimosa” is Tanja’s exploration of underwater cinematography. She says, “Every tear drop is a microcosm of human experience. There is a whole story that precedes the creation of a tear. Lacrimosa tells the story of a tear of a girl called Mila.”
We visually get to see Mila’s inner feelings, her personal experiences, and how they are shaping her reality constantly. It is a window to her soul, as well as a mirror of our own. Every person experiences so much life, love, death, and pain before the creation of their own individual tears. Mila is searching for Theo. She has to decide how far she is willing to go to find him and whether or not she must let him go.
Stunning music and imagery take you on a very personal and shattering journey. From the microcosms of the world with experimental shots and sounds, we feel closer and closer to the inner soul of Mila. The whole film is so beautiful in black and white. Mila flows through her memories and experiences and right into your mind. She is curious. Her world is magical and painful. She is full of sorrow and a desire for understanding.
It’s easy to fall in love with Saksia Rosendahl from the moment we see her on screen. She is intriguing to watch because she is constantly reacting to and pursuing something. Frowin Wolter plays her dynamic antagonist.
Watching “Lacrimosa” is a full body experience, making you feel free, feel pain, feel suffocation, sadness, and love. It’s the perfect film for any experimental film fanatic. It’s beautiful and charming while at the same time so heartbreaking. More films should be made like this one.
Petra Korner did an amazing job as Director of Photography. Everything is so mesmerizing to watch. Elia Cmiral created a beautiful score. The music truly tells the story in every scene. The team of editors, Claudia Linzer, Michael N. Knue, and Steven Ansell, worked really well together to create a flawless daydream that at times could be interpreted as a daymare instead. You truly cannot look away.
Tanja has been awarded the prestigious Mary Pickford Scholarship for Outstanding Achievements in film directing, the AFI Richard P. Rogers Spirit of Excellence Award, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Student Film Award for her thesis “Fueling the Fire,” and 16 Best Short Film or Best Directors awards at international festivals. At the Chrysler Million Dollar Film Competition, she was a finalist.
