A Friendship in Vienna

The movie is set in Vienna, Austria, in 1938. Vienna serves as both a cultural backdrop with its historic cathedrals and streets, and as a city undergoing transformation under Nazi rule. The setting shifts from a place of hidden meetings between friends to one of increasing danger and persecution.

The story takes place in 1938 Vienna, during the Anschluss when Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany. This period is marked by rapid implementation of anti-Jewish laws, aggressive propaganda, and the tightening grip of authoritarian rule on everyday life.

The movie explores three interconnected themes: friendship that crosses religious and social divides despite severe personal risk; the daily impact of antisemitic discrimination through laws, job losses, and public humiliation; and the urgent pursuit of escape involving visas, bureaucratic hurdles, and dangerous plans to flee Austria.

Lise Mueller is a 13-year-old Catholic girl whose deep friendship with Jewish classmate Inge Dournenvald puts her in direct conflict with her Nazi-supporting father. She demonstrates quiet courage by sitting beside Inge in class and choosing loyalty to her friend over family pressure, despite the danger it brings to herself.

Inge Dournenvald is a Jewish girl whose friendship with Lise becomes a vital source of hope amid growing persecution. She must endure anti-Semitic laws, including expulsion from schools, while maintaining solidarity with her friend. Her family's urgent need to escape defines the story's central conflict.

Franz Dournenvald is Inge's father yet described as a Nazi sympathizer who rises to a position of power within the regime. This creates a devastating internal conflict within the family, as he must navigate between his personal relationships and the brutal demands of the political system he supports.

Hannah Dournenvald is Inge's mother, a Jewish editor who loses her job under Aryanization laws. She endures public discrimination while remaining determined to protect her family. Her storyline illustrates how persecution permeates both public institutions and personal life for Jewish families.

Several characters assist the family: Lise's grandfather Oskar Reikman offers warnings and support; Father Bernard, a Catholic priest, wrestles with the moral implications of baptizing the family to obtain Yugoslav visas and ultimately helps them. Lise herself plays a crucial role in the family's escape plans.

Under Nazi rule following the 1938 Anschluss, Vienna transforms from a city of culture into a focal point of Nazi influence. Anti-Jewish laws reshape daily life, forcing families to choose between safety and loyalty. Jewish families face expulsion from schools, job losses, and the constant threat of arrest.

Gustl is a manipulative figure who exploits the new Nazi laws for personal gain. He uses false accusations to threaten the Dournenvald family, catalyzing tense confrontations and illustrating how ordinary corruption flourished under the regime. His actions demonstrate the regime's corrupting effect on everyday citizens.

Characters face impossible choices: Lise must choose between family loyalty and friendship; Father Bernard debates whether to baptize the Jewish family for visas, weighing compassion against legal and moral risk; Inge's father must reconcile his Nazi affiliation with his family's safety. Each decision carries life-or-death consequences.

The movie portrays 1938 Austria as a society in rapid transformation where antisemitic laws, propaganda, and authoritarian rule replace the city's pre-war cultural life. Families scramble for visas and safety as persecution escalates, showing how quickly normal life dissolved under Nazi occupation.