Fossil

Open-cast miner Michael refuses to accept the impending phase-out of coal. He doesn't want change. For Michael, working in the mine is more than just a job, so he tries to convince his colleagues to protest against the rapid change. Trapped in his stubbornness, however, he increasingly loses support – even from his family. Beckhoff relies on subtle nuances and precise observations. The camera stays close to the characters, capturing glances, gestures, and the unspoken. Without much drama, an oppressive tension arises that seems everyday yet is existential. Supported by a strong cast, the film creates an intimate atmosphere in which every moment counts. FOSSIL premiered at the Hof Film Festival in 2023 and was subsequently shown at the Munich Film Festival, where it was awarded the FIPRESCI Prize by international film critics. The film also attracted attention at the Achtung Berlin Film Festival and the Film Festival Cologne. With its clear visual language and emotional precision, FOSSIL marks an important step in German auteur cinema and confirms Henning Beckhoff as a subtle narrator of human fractures.