German Actress Sandra Hüller’s Oscar Nomination for Anatomy of a Fall Could Make Her a Top Contender
German actress Sandra Hüller has been nominated for an Oscar for her outstanding performance in the film Anatomy of a Fall. This nomination has put her in the running for the top prize and has brought her back into the critical spotlight. Hüller plays two characters in two different films that have been highly acclaimed and nominated for Oscars this year. In Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, she portrays Hedwig, the wife of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss. In Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall, she takes on the role of Sandra, a confident and outspoken bisexual writer who is accused of murdering her husband.
Hüller’s performance in Anatomy of a Fall has garnered attention and praise, earning her a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars. The film itself has received a total of five nominations, including the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. This recognition has brought Hüller back into the international spotlight, eight years after her breakthrough role in Maren Ade’s Toni Erdmann.
In Anatomy of a Fall, Hüller’s character Sandra is accused of being a monster and is subjected to aggressive cross-examination in the courtroom scenes. The prosecution uses her own writing and marital infidelities as evidence against her. Sandra protests, “I’m not a monster!” but society’s judgment seems to already label her as one. Hüller finds it interesting that Sandra’s behavior, which would be accepted if she were a man, is perceived as scary because she is a woman.
The character of Sandra in Anatomy of a Fall is portrayed as confident, career-focused, and unapologetically true to herself. Hüller believes that it is rare to find female characters with such depth and authenticity, free from clichés. Playing this role was liberating for her, as it allowed her to explore a woman who knows herself well. The film features a memorable and intense marital argument that went viral earlier this year, showcasing the strength of Triet and her partner Arthur Harari’s writing.
Anatomy of a Fall examines the breakdown of a relationship through the lens of the courtroom, set against the backdrop of the French legal system. Sandra is interrogated about her dedication as a wife and mother, as well as her bisexuality. Hüller finds it interesting that Sandra’s bisexuality is seen as frightening or makes her less believable in the courtroom. She dismisses these notions as ridiculous.
Hüller, who has primarily worked in theater, found the lengthy scenes in Anatomy of a Fall challenging but enjoyable. The film is spoken in English and French, which are her second and third languages. She appreciates the lack of control that comes with speaking in other languages, as it allows her to focus more on what she says rather than how she says it.
Justine Triet, the director of Anatomy of a Fall, has been recognized for her bold and thought-provoking filmmaking. Hüller admires Triet’s work and believes that she deserves more recognition. Triet’s acceptance speech at the Palme d’Or ceremony, where she criticized French film industry policy, may have contributed to Anatomy of a Fall being passed over as the French Oscar entry for Best International Film.
Hüller’s own Oscar nomination is both exciting and intimidating for her. She feels lucky to receive any honor but acknowledges that it is out of her control. She will continue to work on projects that she believes in and not try to please anyone else. As for the big unanswered question in Anatomy of a Fall – did Sandra do it? Hüller remains tight-lipped, stating that she doesn’t know herself and prefers to let the audience come up with their own interpretations and judgments.
Anatomy of a Fall is currently in theaters, and the 96th Academy Awards will be broadcast on ABC on Sunday, March 10.