'' Alone in Berlin '' is a 2016 war drama film directed by Vincent Pérez and written by Pérez and Achim von Borries , based on the 1947 fictionalized novel '' Every Man Dies Alone '' by Hans Fallada . The novel 's characters Otto and Anna Quangel are based on Otto and Elise Hampel . When their son dies in France , the couple start writing postcards to urge people to protest against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime . The film stars Emma Thompson , Brendan Gleeson , and Daniel Brühl . Principal photography began on 27 March 2015 in Berlin . It was selected to compete for the Golden Bear at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival
66th Berlin International Film Festival
66th Berlin International Film Festival
Alone in Berlin (film)