Jump directly to the page contents
Film still from WENN DU ANGST HAST NIMMST DU DEIN DEIN HERZ IN DEN MUND UND LÄCHELST by Marie Luise Lehner. Four young women are sitting in front of a statue, all looking at the cell phone that the middle one is holding.
Siena Popović, Nelly Gillot, Charlotte Rohart and Shalom Mulombe in WENN DU ANGST HAST NIMMST DU DEIN HERZ IN DEN MUND UND LÄCHELST by Marie Luise Lehner © Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion

Theatrical release October 2: If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart into Your Mouth and Smile

Slowly, 12-year-old Anna and her deaf mum are starting to feel a bit cramped in their flat. It’s not just the lack of privacy that’s causing friction – Anna has just started secondary school and quickly realises what’s important now: brand-name clothes and a sense of belonging. In her debut, director and author Marie Luise Lehner stages a confrontation with classist structures, which Anna tackles with a mixture of shame and grit.

She finds an ally in Mara, who challenges others with feminist issues and who also lives alone with her queer father. Lehner stands by her heroes unconditionally, giving them space for introspection and outbursts, allowing them to row back and reconcile. Not fitting in allows them to get to know and appreciate who they are. Lehner flies the flag of solidarity, quite naturally and with plenty of references to pop culture. (Berlinale Forum, Carolin Weidner)

Awards
Berlinale Forum: Teddy Jury Award (watch an interview here) & CICAE Art Cinema Award
Drehbuchverband Austria: Thomas Pluch Drehbuchpreis, Spezialpreis der Jury
Crossing Europe Filmfestival, Linz: Award Local Artist - Young Talent
Pink Apple Film Festival, Zürich: Best Film, International Competition & Audiance Award

For more information please visit the film's main page.

Overview

Funded by:

  • Logo Minister of State for Culture and the Media

Arsenal on Location is funded by the Capital Cultural Fund

The international programs of Arsenal on Location are a cooperation with the Goethe-Institut