Ungeduld des Herzens
by Lauro Cress
Feature Film
2023-2024
Director: Lauro Cress
Writers: Lauro Cress, Florian Plumeyer (Co-Autor)
Production: Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB),
Leuchtstoff (Initiative von RBB und Medienboard Berlin) [de], Lorenzo Gandolfo Produktion [de]
Kameramann/DoP: Jan David Gunther
Editor: Ilya Gavrilenkov
Original Soundtrack: Davide Luciani
Sound Design: Alex Leser, Johannes Pich
What begins as a gesture of compassion becomes a dangerous temptation to feel like a savior. In Ungeduld des Herzens (Impatience of the Heart), director Lauro Cress transposes Stefan Zweig's timeless story of compassion and moral overload into the present day – an intense psychological drama about the longing for closeness, the limits of empathy, and the impossibility of living for others. Winner of the Max Ophüls Prize 2025 (Best Feature Film, Best Young Actor), the film is an outstanding example of new German auteur cinema – powerful, touching, and with great emotional clarity.
A bowling night, a misunderstanding—and a moment that changes two lives. Young soldier Isaac wants to impress his sister when he asks the grumpy Edith to play. Only when she slumps to the floor does he notice the wheelchair beside her. Driven by shame, Isaac seeks out the woman he has hurt. An unusual relationship develops between the two – full of compassion, hope and growing dependence. But the more Isaac tries to “heal” Edith, the deeper they both become entangled in a web of guilt, self-deception and longing.
With impressive images and great emotional precision, Ungeduld des Herzens tells of the dangerous line between love and pity – and how easily help can turn into paternalism.
Freely adapted from the novel by Stefan Zweig.
Original Sountrack
Cinema release: 05/02/2026
Festivals / film awards
2025: Achtung Berlin, Competition Feature Film
2025: Biberacher Filmfestspiele, Grand prize: Audience Beaver and Debut Beaver
2025: Festival des deutschen Films
2025: Film Festival Max Ophüls Preis, Main prize: Best feature film
2025: Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
2025: First Steps Award, 2025: First Steps Award, Götz George Young Talent Award (Ladina von Frisching), nomination for Best Feature Film
2025: Fünf Seen Filmfestival
2025: Internationales Filmfest Emden-Norderney
2025: Neiße-Filmfestival
