‘Und alle so still’ by Mareike Fallwickl

‘Und alle so still’ (~ and everyone so silent) by Mareike Fallwickl is set in the near future and depicts a world in which women simply cease to cater to societal—and male—expectations. The story centers on Elin, a 21-year-old successful influencer; Nuri, a 19-year-old dropout; and Ruth, a 55-year-old qualified nurse.

Elin lives in the wellness hotel her mother manages. She swims every morning and deals with countless hate comments on her social media posts. Her self-worth is low; she has meaningless sex with countless men. Then, she meets one of these via her dating app and isn’t sure if it was a violent encounter.

Nuri works at a bar until the early morning, has a breakfast energy drink, pushes beds at a hospital, and delivers food after a short nap in the park. Repeat. He isn’t optimistic about his future since he dropped out of school and doesn’t have anything.

Ruth works full time at a hospital. Full time means: she’s expected to work 60 hours a week. It also means: she works way more than that. The hospital is precariously understaffed and she feels responsible for her patients.

Then, suddenly, women start lying down in front of the hospital where Ruth works. They don’t talk, they don’t chant, they don’t request anything. They refuse to continue meeting expectations and giving their time and labor, often for free. And the movement spreads quickly.

CW: rape, violence against women and children, sexism, suicide, structural oppression