The Most Delicate Flower
original title: Die zarteste Blume
2027, post-production, 83 min., color, German-Swedish
COUNTRY: Germany
PRODUCTION : BUDGET : 170 000 euro
CAST
Bernhard Schütz (Ronald), Sebastian Urzendowsky (Maik), Dietrich Hollinderbäumer (Wolfgang). Toks Körner (David), Doğuhan Kabadayı (Simon), Kathrin Angerer (Petra), Natalia Wörner (Sanna), Mai Dương Kiều (Sylvia), Marie Anne Fliegel (Ursula) Pauline Tratz (Lisa)
CREW
Director : Screenplay : Zora RuxCinematographer : Giulia Schelhas
Producers : Oscar Meyer-Ricks, Zora Rux
COMMENTS
Director’s Statement: I am fascinated by men stepping away from patriarchal expectations and being caring. I wanted to observe these men and share my fascination. Thinking about how to film housework I looked at laundry women in art history and found that these women were shown in a certain way: Loving, devoted, clean, romanticised and sometimes sexualised. If men were shown washing, it was with irony. I wanted to take images of men doing laundry without irony, normalizing this role. I feel by showing hetero men in caring positions, financially dependent on the female partner, patriarchy is shaking gently. This subtle power of subversion energizes me.
SYNOPSIS
What does a stay-at-home husband do while his wife earns the money? The film focuses on this often-overlooked role. Simon, Maik, David, Ronald, and Wolfgang are the partners of successful women; they remain in the background, providing support. They are caring, patient, and loving; they wash, iron, feed, and care. How does it affect their relationships when they defy patriarchal conventions? The film serves as an homage to Jeanne Dielman and an ode to male care.