Empty Nest (2021)
A German short film about two generations sharing one meal — and everything left unsaid between them.
Empty Nest - Movie Information
- Original Title: Leeres Nest
- Release Year: 2021
- Directed by: Dascha Petuchow
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 14m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
Empty Nest - Plot
Two generations, one meal together. Young meets old, traditional meets liberal. In the story 'Empty Nest', mother, father, their only grown son and his girlfriend come together when they visit their parents. The overprotective mother does not cope with the departure of her only child, while the proud father's thoughts revolve solely around aging. The conversations are about life, memories, and expectations, while quietly telling of loneliness and grief.
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Empty Nest - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Dascha Petuchow
Main Cast
- Isabelle Mann
- Jannis Roth
- Werner Braunschädel
- Helena Finatzer
Writers
- Dascha Petuchow
Producers
- Dascha Petuchow
Empty Nest - FAQs
What is Empty Nest about?
Empty Nest follows two generations of a family sharing a single meal. A grown son brings his girlfriend home to visit his parents, and what unfolds is a quietly charged portrait of an overprotective mother struggling to let go, a father preoccupied with aging, and the unspoken grief that lingers beneath ordinary conversation.
Does Empty Nest have a happy ending?
Empty Nest doesn't wrap up with easy resolution. The film leans into emotional ambiguity — the family shares a meal, but the undercurrents of loneliness and unspoken grief remain. It's a bittersweet, reflective ending that stays with you rather than offering tidy closure.
Where can you watch Empty Nest online?
You can check all current streaming and viewing options for Empty Nest on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Options may vary depending on your location, so it's worth a quick look to find the most up-to-date information.
What themes does Empty Nest explore?
At its heart, Empty Nest explores the tension between generations — traditional versus liberal values, holding on versus letting go. It quietly examines a mother's separation anxiety, a father's fear of aging, and the way families communicate around the things they can't quite bring themselves to say directly.
Who are the main actors in Empty Nest?
The cast features Isabelle Mann as the overprotective mother Stefanie, Werner Braunschädel as the aging father Wolfgang, Jannis Roth as their grown son Sebastian, and Helena Finatzer as Sebastian's girlfriend Marie. Together they bring this intimate family portrait to life in just 14 minutes.
Who directed and wrote Empty Nest?
Dascha Petuchow wrote, directed, and edited Empty Nest, making it a deeply personal creative vision. Petuchow also served as producer on the project, giving the film a cohesive, single-voice perspective that shines through in its intimate, carefully observed storytelling.
How long is the film Empty Nest?
Empty Nest runs just 14 minutes, making it a short film. Don't let the brief runtime fool you — it packs a surprising emotional punch, using every minute to build tension, character, and the kind of quiet melancholy that lingers long after the credits roll.
What films are similar to Empty Nest?
If Empty Nest resonated with you, films like Captain Fantastic (2016), The Whale (2022), In the Bedroom (2001), and This Boy's Life (1993) explore similar territory — family dynamics, generational tension, and the complicated emotional weight of parenthood and growing up.
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