Captivated by the religious undertones associated with Sunday, and the monotony it represents for others, Munich-based filmmaker Pascal Thieret assesses the unique and evolving relationship we share with Sundays in short film Sonntag. As the weekend’s optimism fades back into the working week, Lola, a self-destructive wanderer with a disdain for Sundays, undergoes a change in perception following a chance encounter with Alina, a firm believer who actively engages in church service.

Through the conflicting images of Sundays between those who maintain its sanctity and others who write it off as a dormant day after the weekend’s excesses, Thieret entertains the profound shifts that could transpire when two characters at opposite ends of the spectrum delve into a deeper connection.

Referencing Konstantin Arnold’s short story Sonntag, while reflecting on the possibilities Sunday came to represent when he entered into a new relationship, Thieret traces the journey of self-confrontation Lola undergoes when confronted with a different mode of being. Using their ambiguous relationship to explore the passage of time and questions of faith, Sonntag opens up the isolated experiences that can initiate a shift in outlook, granting us the tools to break free of inertia.