Lore

The story unfolds as Nazi Germany collapses and the war ends, with news of Hitler's death and a mass displacement of civilians. Trains stop, borders tighten, and communities struggle to survive amidst shortages and moral ambiguity. The era emphasizes the fragility of family bonds under pressure and the disorienting shift from wartime routines to an uncertain peace.

Set in the immediate aftermath of World War II across rural southern Germany and the secluded Black Forest, the film follows a shattering journey. The family moves through ruined houses, abandoned farms, and makeshift shelters, where scarcity and danger shape every decision. Their path leads toward Husum near Hamburg as they seek safety in a country partitioned by Allied zones, borders blurred by fear and displacement.

🧭 Survival

The siblings must improvise food, shelter, and safety as resources dry up. Every choice—stealing, bartering, or trading valuables—tests their limits and moral boundaries. Survival becomes a squeeze between caring for each other and doing what is necessary to endure. The relentless pressure exposes how far people will go when the world they know has collapsed.

🕯️ Memory & Loss

Keepsakes like the porcelain deer carry memory and guilt, linking the past to the fragile present. Lore clings to tokens of a life that vanished, often choosing to destroy them as a way to break free from sadness. The film repeatedly contrasts tenderness with violence, showing how trauma lingers in small, daily acts. Memory becomes a compass that both guides and terrifies the characters.

🧩 Identity

The journey forces Lore to confront who she is apart from her parents and the world they left behind. The mystery surrounding Thomas Weil and the papers tests loyalty and belonging within a fragile family unit. As loyalties shift, the siblings must decide which myths about their past to hold onto. The climax suggests that belonging in a new world may require accepting difficult truths about themselves and their parents.