The Tasters

Adapted from Rosella Postorino’s bestselling novel At The Wolf’s Table, this gripping historical drama from multi award-winning writer/director Silvio Soldini (Bread and Tulips) is inspired by the incredible true story of Margot Wölk, a woman who was conscripted to be one of Hitler’s food tasters. Autumn, 1943. Twenty-six-year-old Rosa (Elisa Schlott, Das Boot), having fled Berlin, reaches the small, isolated East Prussian village of Gross-Partsch where her in-laws live and where her husband, who is on the front, has written to her to take refuge while awaiting his return. Rosa soon discovers that the apparently peaceful village hides a secret: inside the neighbouring forest lies Hitler’s headquarters, known as Wolf's Lair. The Führer sees enemies everywhere, and the risk of his being poisoned is his obsession. One morning at dawn Rosa is taken, along with other young women from the village, to taste the food cooked for him. Torn between fear of death and hunger, the tasters form alliances, friendships and secret pacts among themselves, determined not to give up hope. Note: This film is in German language with English subtitles Proudly Presented by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Sydney

Born in 1958 in Milan, Italy, Silvio Soldini is a writer and director. An acclaimed filmmaker, Soldini’s early films were recognised by critics for their artistic value, but it was his first comedy Bread and Tulips (2000) that resulted in international recognition and box office success. His other well-known films include Burning in the Wind (2002), Days and Clouds (2007) and 3/19 (IFF22).