Vienna, June 2, 2026 — In front of a full house, Klaus Härö’s NIE ALLEIN celebrated its Austrian limited theatrical release premiere on Tuesday evening. The historic Filmcasino on Margaretenstraße was nearly sold out, with only a few seats remaining, when the film was screened in its original Finnish version with German subtitles—and the audience was captivated from the very first frame.
NEVER ALONE (Ei koskaan yksin), an international co-production from Finland, Austria, Germany, Estonia, and Sweden, tells a true story from the darkest years of the 20th century. The film centers on the Jewish merchant Abraham Stiller (played by Ville Virtanen), who defies the fate of Jewish refugees: Among others, he aims to save the Kollmann family—Janka, Georg, and their young son Franzl—along with other Jews who have fled Vienna, from extradition to Nazi Germany and thus from certain death. Against the historical backdrop of the Holocaust, director Klaus Härö, one of Finland’s most internationally renowned filmmakers, places the moral courage of the individual at the center—an attitude that clearly resonated in Vienna that evening.
The response in the audience was palpable: The audience watched the performance with rapt attention and deep emotion, and at the end there was long, heartfelt applause for the Austrian cast and crew.
Following the screening, an enthusiastic and engaged Q&A session took place. On stage were the cast members: Naemi Latzer (as Janka Kollmann), Rony Herman (as Georg Kollmann), and Alexander Jagsch (as Heinrich Müller), as well as members of the Austrian co-production team: Loredana Rehekampff, Andreas Schmied, and post-production coordinator Melanie Stoff (SAMSARA Film, Vienna). The evening was hosted by co-producer Loredana Rehekampff (SAMSARA Film) and Robert Zimmermann (UCM.ONE).
The discussion with the audience focused on the Holocaust as a historical backdrop and on the moral courage of individuals, on how the actors worked with Klaus Härö, as well as on insights into the work of the cast and production team—and, time and again, on the question of how to approach such an important historical subject on a film set. Supported by an attentive and engaged audience, a lively exchange developed that resonated long afterward.
The premiere was organized in collaboration with SAMSARA Film (Vienna), the Austrian-Finnish Society Vienna, represented by its president Mika Hammarberg and secretary general Laura Homan, as well as the host cinema Filmcasino.
The special screening in Vienna marked the start of the limited Austrian theatrical release of NIE ALLEIN. The film is now showing in select Austrian theaters, distributed by UCM.ONE.
Movie details
| Title: | Never Alone (Original Title: „Ei Koskaan Yksin“) |
| Directed by: | Klaus Härö |
| Screenplay: | Klaus Härö, Jimmy Karlsson |
| Produced by: | Ilkka Matila, Loredana Rehekampff & Andreas Schmied, Josef Brandmaier & John Hoernschemeyer, Kristian Taska & Adeele Tähemaa, Peter Krupenin |
| Cast: | Ville Virtanen, Nina Hukkinen, Rony Herman, Naemi Latze, u.a. |
| Countries of origin: | Finland, Austria, Germany, Estonia, Sweden |
| Year of production: | 2024 |
| Duration: | 85 minutes |
| Language versions: | German dubbed version / Original version |
| Original languages: | Finnish, Swedish, Hebrew, German |
| Subtitles: | German, English |
| Rating: | Approved for ages 12 and up |
| Descriptors: Threat, distressing topics |
More information about the film: Never Alone
