Beautiful Smile

Storyline

On a crowded deportation train during the Second World War, desperate people struggle to survive. Viktor, a 13-year-old Estonian boy, is scarred by hunger and fear when he discovers Magda, a German girl from a wealthier family. Her random smile gives Viktor a moment of hope and reminds him of the beauty of life despite the omnipresent horror.
As the two cautiously build a bond in the confined space, their encounter is overshadowed by the harsh reality of the train: illness, death and the struggle of their fellow passengers for what little they have left. Despite the language barrier, Viktor tries to impress Magda and finds comfort in her friendly manner in a world dominated by darkness. But when the train reaches its destination and the doors open, the two are forcibly separated.
Viktor is left behind, filled with the memory of Magda's smile - a symbol of humanity and hope in the midst of despair. The story highlights the fleeting moments of beauty and connection in the darkest of times and the unshakeable power of hope.

About the film/director

Sophia Albrecht is a German director, producer and screenwriter who specializes in historical dramas. She is particularly interested in topics such as the Holocaust, war and the 20th century, focusing on the perspective of children. During her directing studies, she made several short films, including “Beautiful Smile” (2024), a drama about a young love on a deportation train, and “Atomic” (2025), a VFX science fiction short film, for which she acted as producer. She is also active in Holocaust remembrance work and organizes contemporary witness talks and German-Israeli youth encounters. She is currently working on her graduation film, a short film about anti-Semitism today and in the pre-war period.

Credits

Director:

Sophia Albrecht

Script:

Sophia Albrecht

Camera:

Robin Csodó

Editor:

Kaitlin Safka

Sound:

Oskars Vītoliņš

Music:

Oskars Vītoliņš

Producer:

Sophia Albrecht

Contact:

Sophia Albrecht

E-Mail:

albrecht.shortfilm@gmail.com

• Germany

• English, German, Estonian / subtitles English
• 2024
• 18 min