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The Playmaker has closed several distribution deals for the World War II drama “Never Alone,” directed by Klaus Härö.

“Never Alone” has been picked up for distribution in Bulgaria (Beta Film), India (BookMyShow), Latin America (Encripta) and Spain (Twelve Oaks). As previously announced, the rights in North America were acquired by Menemsha. The film was released in Finland in January by Nordisk Films.

“Never Alone,” based on the life of Abraham Stiller, tells the story of Jewish refugees seeking safety in Finland during World War II. As Nazi influence grows, Stiller, a Jewish leader in Helsinki, must risk everything to protect his community.

The cast is led by Ville Virtanen, Nina Hukkinen and Rony Herman. The film is produced by Ilkka Matila of Mrp Matila Röhr Prods., in co-production with Samsara Filmproduktion, Taska Film, Penned Pictures and Hobab.

It is supported by the Finnish Film Foundation, the Austrian Film Institute,...

Munich-based sales agency the Playmaker has signed a key distribution deal for Japan with Ipa Asia on its hit heist comedy “Two to One,” starring Academy Award-nominated German thesp Sandra Hüller.

Hüller is joined in the cast by Max Riemelt (“Sense 8”) and Ronald Zehrfeld. The film is directed by Natja Brunckhorst, known for her critically acclaimed work on “Alles in Bester Ordnung” and “Wie Feuer und Flamme.”

“Two to One” is based on true events that took place during the reunification of Germany in 1990. In the chaos during the disintegration of the German Democratic Republic, a group of clever East Germans seize the chance to retrieve hidden millions from an underground vault. As they outsmart formidable opponents, the heist takes an unexpected turn when money officially unrecognized in East Germany circulates.

Pic has already sold widely in other territories, including Kmbo in France, A Contracorriente in Spain, Madman in Australia and Rosebud in Greece.

Klaus Härö’s “Never Alone” draws from real events and people during the Nazi years to tell the tale of a man who stood his ground with his ideals. Abraham Stiller (Ville Virtanen) runs a thriving textile business in Helsinki. He and his wife, Vera, are Jews who migrated from Tsarist Russia decades ago. The couple is part of local influential circles, having connections within the police as well. But how far does this immunize them or the Jewish refugee couple they take under their wing and give jobs?

What undoes the film, and whittles away some of its power is the frame narration rendered in trite, uninspired monochrome. A journalist is interviewing the businessman about his past. She questions him about Finland’s deportations of Jews in the 1940s despite it not being occupied by Germany. When she brings up the case of one deportee who survived the post-war trials,...