My First Miracle

The world is full of miracles, especially during the shimmering heat of a seaside summer. While vacationing on the Baltic Sea coast, an unusually deep friendship blossoms between eleven-year-old Dole and Hermann, a man in his mid-forties. Standing on the threshold of adolescence, the girl rebels against her mother’s plans to move in with a new boyfriend, knowing full well that she has no desire to grow up. It all seems too complicated, requiring too many compromises. Hermann, a gentle family man who has never lost touch with his inner child, fires Dole’s imagination with his fantastical tales, while she brings color to his monotonous life. The two get along famously. A profound bond of kindred spirits develops between them, a love that endures beyond the holiday. Yet, back in their everyday lives, those around them are far from understanding. Without hesitation, they decide to run away together—back to the sea, the place where their fragile happiness truly belongs.

Directed by Anne Wild, My First Miracle leans on a strong ensemble — Henriette Confurius, Leonard Lansink, Juliane Köhler — 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 drama titles of 2003.