Austrian Film Premiere | Facing the Unknown (EN)

With “Facing the Unknown”, director Dieter Grohmann turns the focus to the growing challenges of our time. The documentary, based on the book “Emergency Preparedness” by Paul Rübig and Achim Kaspar, demonstrates why water resilience, sustainable energy, and robust infrastructure are crucial for addressing the unpredictable forces of the future.

The film combines scientific perspectives with personal stories, visual poetry, and the inner journey of the young student Luna. In her search for answers, the documentary raises a central question: How can we prepare for a future in which water is no longer a given resource?

The film takes viewers from the sites of European water networks to global strategies for resilience planning. It illustrates how technological innovation, political collaboration, and societal engagement must work together to enable meaningful, sustainable change.

Featuring contributions from leading experts such as Damian Brdjanovic, Michael Dickstein, Naomi Timmer, and Durk Krol, the film brings to light the realities behind the statistics: the often-overlooked crises in soils, cities, and supply networks - and the people working to find solutions. Luna’s perspective serves as a bridge between facts and emotions, between systemic analysis and personal experience. “Facing the Unknown” is not a disaster scenario, but a film about responsibility, hope, and the importance of proactive preparedness.

The documentary has so far received 16 international awards.