Wintersleepers

The action unfolds in the weeks after Christmas, during a snowy winter when the town is cut off by snowdrifts. The daylight is short and the air is cold, intensifying mood and suspicion. The events occur in a contemporary setting rather than a past era.

Berchtesgaden sits high in the Bavarian Alps, known for its snow-covered scenery and alpine tourism. The film uses this closed, wintery setting to heighten tensions and make interpersonal ties feel claustrophobic. The town features a local cinema, a mix of houses and nearby farms that frame the story's social fabric.

🧠 Memory

Memory drives the characters’ decisions: René relies on a photo album to remember people after a head injury, while Theo reconstructs past events to prove his innocence. The film uses memory as both a record and a distortion, showing how easily memories can mislead. Moments captured on film and recalled later become tools and clues the town uses to judge one another.

💔 Betrayal

Affairs and hidden desires fracture trust within the small group: Marco's affair with Nina and Rebecca's dissatisfaction strain relationships beyond repair. Jealousy and concealed motives surface in heated confrontations, pushing characters toward impulsive decisions. The plot demonstrates how betrayal multiplies casualties across couples and families.

⚖️ Justice

Theo's obsessive pursuit of truth drives the narrative; he tries to identify the responsible driver despite sparse evidence. The town's institutions fail to deliver clarity, leaving individuals to draw their own conclusions. The film questions what constitutes justice when memory, guilt, and fear cloud the facts.

❄️ Isolation

Snow and cold physically isolate the community, cutting off help and heightening fear. The winter weather nudges characters into introspection, exposing vulnerabilities and secrets. The harsh environment mirrors the emotional distances between people, intensifying the drama.