If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart into Your Mouth and Smile
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Markus Glaser
Michael Kitzberger
Katharina Posch
Wolfgang Widerhofer
Mariya Menner
| If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart into Your Mouth and Smile | |
|---|---|
 Promotional release poster | |
| Directed by | Marie Luise Lehner |
| Written by | Marie Luise Lehner |
| Produced by | Nikolaus Geyrhalter Markus Glaser Michael Kitzberger Katharina Posch Wolfgang Widerhofer |
| Starring | Siena Popović Mariya Menner |
| Cinematography | Simone Hart |
| Edited by | Jana Libnik Alexandra Schneider Joana Scrinzi |
Production company | Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | Austria |
| Languages | German German Sign Language English |
If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart into Your Mouth and Smile (German: Wenn du Angst hast nimmst du dein Herz in den Mund und lächelst) is a 2025 Austrian coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Marie Luise Lehner in her directorial debut.[1] It stars Siena Popović and Mariya Menner.[2]
The film had its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 19 February 2025.[3] It was honored with the Jury Award and CICAE Art Cinema Award in the Forum section.[4]
Anna is a 12-year-old girl who has a very good relationship with her deaf mother despite their financial difficulties. However, the new high school environment, where the students are from an upper-class background, overwhelms Anna, who becomes ashamed of her origins and her mother. However, she finds an ally in her friend Mara, who also hides a secret.[5]
Cast
- Siena Popović as Anna
- Mariya Menner as Isolde
- Jessica Paar as Mara
- Alessandro Scheibner as Paul
- Alperen Köse as Biker
- Kathrin Resetarits as Teacher Iris Lust
- Daniel Sea as Mara's father
Production
Principal photography began on March 12, 2024,[6] and wrapped on April 26, 2024, in Vienna, Austria.[7]
Release
The film had its world premiere on February 19, 2025, in the Forum section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival,[8] then screened on March 29, 2025, at the 28th Diagonale,[9] and on April 29, 2025, at the 22nd Crossing Europe Film Festival.[10]
It was commercially released on September 26, 2025 in Austrian theaters.[11]