Published
3 weeks agoon
Director Bruno Anković takes on the poignant screenplay by Damir Karakaš and Jelena Paljan to deliver this drama titled ‘Celebration‘. This is a beautifully told, haunting narrative of war and the lives it shatters. The film is adapted from Damir Karakaš’s novel of the same name and offers a raw and immersive glimpse into the harsh realities of life in Croatia between 1926 and 1945, as experienced by a villager named Mijo.
The narrative opens in the autumn of 1945, with Mijo (played by Bernard Tomic) as a soldier on the run, hiding in the woods at the close of World War II. From the very first scene, Anković captures the palpable fear and desperation of a man fighting to survive. Mijo’s dishevelled appearance and cautious movements set the tone, though it is not exactly clear who or why he is on the run. But these opening minutes in the film steadily draw viewers into the plight of Mijo, while hinting at a backstory that soon unravels.
Bruno Anković structures the film in a nonlinear format, weaving together key moments from Mijo’s life that gradually reveal the events and experiences that seem to have shaped him. The story first leaps back to the summer of 1933, introducing us to a younger Mijo living in his village with his family. Through their struggles, we are immersed in a small-town existence overshadowed by larger political and social upheavals. We feel the creeping influence of a fascist regime, as villagers are deprived of even the simplest of things. They are forced to get rid of their dog just because one of their soldiers was bitten by a dog. Mijo is seen in this chapter going to tie his dog deep in the woods where it would be eventually killed and eaten by wolves. Also by the end of this chapter, you are made aware of the film’s core themes of oppression, hardship, and the dehumanizing effects of authoritarianism.
The next chapter, set in the winter of 1926, introduces Mijo as a boy barely 12 years old. This segment provides a harrowing glimpse into the unrelenting hardships of rural life during that era. The family’s struggles are further amplified by the presence of Mijo’s ageing grandfather, whose dependency depletes their already scarce resources. In a desperate and heartbreaking decision, Mijo’s father carries his grandfather up a mountain in the snow to die. This chapter not only deepens our understanding of Mijo’s formative years but also subtly underscores the roots of the societal and political turmoil that would lead to the rise of fascism.
As the film progresses, we are taken to the spring of 1941, a few years before the opening sequence. Here, an adult Mijo and two companions are seen travelling to join a celebration. This gathering marks the regime’s peak and reveals the grim normalization of its fascist rule.
Through these chapters, Anković brilliantly illustrates the transformation of an individual shaped by relentless suffering and societal oppression, while leaving certain aspects untold. For instance, we never get to see how or why Mijo becomes a soldier and on which side of the war he is fighting. This choice allows viewers to focus on the broader implications of his journey rather than becoming mired in specifics.
Despite this being a directorial debut, Anković demonstrates an impressive command of his craft. Each shot feels well planned, with natural lighting and a muted colour palette that effectively evoke the bleakness and struggles of the time. The film’s pacing is steady, carefully guiding viewers through the various periods while maintaining a sense of narrative cohesion. You would also notice that the film makes use of very limited dialogue through its very modest 86 minutes of runtime.
The film concludes where it began, in the autumn of 1945, as Mijo makes his way back to his old home. His journey feels as though it has come full circle, yet there is no clear resolution. He avoids interacting with anyone and his fate is left unknown to the viewer.
While this open-ended climax might not satisfy all viewers, it feels fitting for a story steeped in uncertainty and loss. Somehow, it feels like a reminder of the countless lives left unresolved in the wake of war and political upheaval.
I would score ‘Celebration‘ 7/10. It is a visually compelling and thought-provoking film that captures the history of the Balkans and Croatia during a pivotal era. While its themes and messages might not resonate equally with every viewer, it succeeds as an engaging and evocative exploration of the human cost of war and fascism.
Second on my list of addictions is Movies.. the only thing I could possibly love more is my Dearest Waakye lol. Nothing else does a better job of reminding me that ANYTHING is possible with the right amount of effort. I have great eye for details and flaws in scripts. Shallow scripts bore me. I am an avid reader. Your everyday Mr Nice guy. Always the last to speak in a room full of smart people. Half Human, half Martian but full MOVIE FREAK.