Birthmark

Gabriel is the sensual type, the kind of person who notices smells and textures that others don't. His brother Samuel is the opposite: he’s lost in a haze of late-night escapism and discomfort. But home, childhood and bloodline are not the only things they share. They are united in their struggle with shame and longing. The two try to distance themselves from each other, but the harder they try to escape, the closer they become. When Gabriel announces his imminent move to Italy, tensions threaten to burst beneath the surface of their relationship. Their unspoken understanding not to act on their desires begins to fray.

Directed by Ronja Alexander, Birthmark leans on a strong ensemble — Michelangelo Fortuzzi, Jannik Mühlenweg, Elena Flury — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 0.