Buschi’s daily routine in an assisted living facility leaves no room for surprises. Seeking change, he seizes the opportunity to leave a group outing behind and join a tour of Japanese tourists travelling through Germany. Having lived his entire life without speaking, he forms a wordless friendship with Hideo—a man on a journey of his own—and embarks on an unexpected adventure that proves some connections go beyond words.

THE FROG AND THE WATER is directed by Thomas Stuber from a screenplay he co-wrote with Gotthart Kuppel and Hyoe Yamamoto. The film blends German, Japanese, and English dialogue to reflect its cross-cultural core. Buschi is played by newcomer Aladdin Detlefsen, who won Best Actor at the film’s world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, opposite Kanji Tsuda as Hideo.