Nur wir Zwei

The Story

Nur wir zwei tells the heartfelt story of 10-year-old Zoya, who has been living in Germany with her mother for only a few years. Despite her young age, Zoya has already developed a love for cooking, a passion she shares with her comforting companion, her cuddly mouse Mischka. Zoya’s mother, Ilana, works as a nurse but has an unwavering passion for basketball, which she channels into coaching Zoya’s team. However, Zoya struggles with feelings of inadequacy, believing she is never good enough, no matter how hard she tries.

When Ilana pulls her from the court just before an important game, Zoya feels rejected and runs away, hoping to spend some quality time with her mother. In her journey, Zoya is searching not only for her place in the world but also for her mother’s undivided love and attention. Nur wir zwei captures the delicate and complex relationship between mother and child, revealing the emotional struggles that come with growing up, the desire for validation, and the need for connection in a new world.

The Music

Creating the music for Nur wir zwei was a deeply collaborative process between Olga and myself. The film’s score needed to reflect the emotional complexity of Zoya’s journey—her moments of vulnerability and strength—without overpowering the delicate scenes. We wanted the music to evoke intimacy, warmth, and the sometimes distant dynamic between mother and child.

To achieve this, we decided to use the unique sound of the balalaika, which, combined with the soft, gentle tones of guitars, created a soundscape that felt both personal and tender. The balalaika, with its distinct resonance, symbolized Zoya’s cultural heritage, while the guitars provided a comforting, yet melancholic undertone that mirrored the complex feelings Zoya and Ilana share. The music becomes a subtle yet powerful narrative device, supporting the film’s themes of love, longing, and the push-pull relationship between mother and daughter.

This score carefully balances simplicity and depth, much like Zoya’s own emotional journey—soft at times, but with moments of quiet strength that perfectly complement the film’s intimate and touching storyline.

Credits

Writer & Director: Olga Alexandra Müller

Cinematography:
Christoph Bockisch

Original Score:
Peter Albrecht

Sound:
Georg Becker

Editing:
Maximilian Färber

Motion Design:
Maximilian Färber

Production Design:
Lena Hölzl

Producers:
Caroline Verhoff, Olga Alexandra Müller

Production: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH

Costume Design:
Antonia Karnetzky

Makeup:
Michelle Prax

Gaffer:
Rafael Winkler

Awards

SEHSÜCHTE – International Student Film Festival 2025
Best Children’s Film – Olga Müller (Winner)

FILMSCHAU BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG 2024
Best Short Film – Olga Müller (Nomination)
Audience Award – Olga Müller (Winner)

Stills

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