The white film is called fermented grains, and the absence of fermented grains means that your sauerkraut has not been cured successfully, and it is not authentic sauerkraut, so you can't eat it without fermented grains in the sauerkraut tank.
It is a white biofilm, and a thick yellow-white biofilm will float on the water surface during the pickling process of sauerkraut, which is the normal performance of fermentation and also the performance of northeast sauerkraut containing active probiotics. If the film can't be formed, it is often pickled. After the pickled sauerkraut is fished out, because the flora is still active, it will continue to ferment and grow as long as the environment is suitable, and a white film will be formed on the surface of the sauerkraut, which is also healthy and safe. As long as it's not left for too long, it's okay to rinse it.