Austrian filmmaker completes new film
Austrian filmmaker Goran Rebić has finished filming his new feature, In the Hidden (Im Verborgenen), a historical drama based on the novel by Ljuba Arnautović. The film tells the story of an anti-fascist activist during 20th-century Europe, set in Vienna in 1944.Film's plot and characters
The story follows Eva, a secretary at an evangelical church in 1944 Vienna, who, along with Pastor Rieger, helps hide Walter, a Jewish man identified by the Gestapo. As Eva and Walter share stories from their pasts, they fall in love, leading them to consider breaking the rules for their safety. Meanwhile, the Red Army approaches Vienna, and Eva receives news about her family she hasn’t seen in 22 years.Cast of the film
Birgit Minichmayr, known for The Blood Countess and Everytime, stars as Eva. Itay Tiran, who appeared in The Dead and the Living and Wild, Wild East, plays Walter, and Robert Stadlober, recognized for Four Minus Three and Diplomacy, portrays Karl. The supporting cast includes Gerti Drassl, Zuzana Mauréry, Roland Jaeger, Maresi Riegner, Anne Bennent, and Karl Markovics.Background of the film's creation
Rebić directed the film from a screenplay he co-wrote with Arnautović, based on her novel that draws from the autobiographical experiences of her grandmother, Genofeva Arnautović. The film explores themes of identity, migration, and intercultural dialogue, continuing Rebić’s body of work that includes Domovina, Jugofilm, The Punishment, and The Danube.Filming locations and production details
The film was shot in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Bratislava over 30 days in September and October 2026. Production used Bratislava to double for Vienna in scenes set during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, with period-specific sets and props recreated for authenticity.Crew and production team
Austrian cinematographer Martin Gschlacht, known for The Devil’s Bath, served as director of photography. Branislav Mihálik and Pavlina Berčíková were production designers, and Katarína Štrbová Bieliková designed the costumes. Other contributors include Andrea Štrbová for make-up, Hjalti Bager-Jonathansson for sound recording, Karina Ressler for editing, and Eva Roth as casting director. Igor Orovac and Diana Kačerjaková were production managers.Production and funding
In the Hidden is an Austrian-Slovakian co-production by Amour Fou Vienna and PubRes. The film received support from the Austrian Film Institute, ÖFI+, Filmfonds Wien, the Slovak Audiovisual Fund, and other organizations. ORF is involved through the Film/Television Agreement, and Filmladen Filmverleih plans to release the film in Austrian cinemas in 2027.
