By james art 
Sales agent The Playmaker has inked a North American distribution deal with Menemsha Films for “Never Alone,” a World War II drama directed by Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated Finnish director Klaus Härö of My Sailor, My Love fame “The Fencer”.
The film will have a private screening this week at the American Film Market in Las Vegas. It will make its festival debut as the opening film at the Tallinn Black Nights Baltic competition (November 8-24), and will have its North American premiere at the Palm Springs Film Festival (January 2-13), with Härö and Mattila in attendance. It is scheduled for release in Finland by Nordisk Film on January 17.
Never Alone tells the true story of Jewish refugees seeking safety in Finland during World War II. As Nazi influence grows, Abraham Stiller, a Jewish leader in Helsinki, must risk everything to protect his community.
Neil Friedman, president of Menemsha Films, said, “Menemsha Films strives to screen every film of Jewish interest from around the world. When you find a film as compelling as Never Alone, you feel privileged to be able to distribute such a work of art.”
The main cast includes Ville Virtanen, Nina Hukkinen and Ronnie Herman. The film is produced by Ilka Matila of MRP Matila Röhr Productions in co-production with Samsara Filmproduktion, Taska Film, Penned Pictures and Hobab.
Supported by the Finnish Film Foundation, Austrian Film Institute ÖFI, ÖFI+, ORF, Estonian Film Institute, Swedish Film Institute, Cash Discounts in Estonia, Estonian Cultural Fund, Nordisk Film, Playmaker Munich, SVT, ARTE, NDR, Creative Europe/Media, Nordic Film & TV Fund, Barona, Cyberdune Investment, Konstsamfundet and Church’s Media Foundation.