Hana Jušić’s second feature “God Will Not Help” has debuted a trailer ahead of its Locarno premiere.
Selected for its prestigious International Competition and set in the early 20th century, it introduces headstrong Teresa (Manuela Martelli), coming to Croatia from Chile.
Disturbing the peace of a family of shepherds, living in complete isolation amid harsh nature, she’s claiming to be the widow of their late brother. Teresa, who can’t speak a word of their language, is different from local women, dominated by men. Some are intrigued by her – others are quick to call her a witch.
“It’s certainly a much broader phenomenon, but in Croatia we’re witnessing a troubling resurgence of so-called ‘traditional values,’ often couched in nostalgic fantasies of patriarchal order,” Jušić told Variety, describing a “disturbing” ritual taking place in her country’s capital, Zagreb.
“Groups of men kneel and pray for the ‘purity’ of women.
Selected for its prestigious International Competition and set in the early 20th century, it introduces headstrong Teresa (Manuela Martelli), coming to Croatia from Chile.
Disturbing the peace of a family of shepherds, living in complete isolation amid harsh nature, she’s claiming to be the widow of their late brother. Teresa, who can’t speak a word of their language, is different from local women, dominated by men. Some are intrigued by her – others are quick to call her a witch.
“It’s certainly a much broader phenomenon, but in Croatia we’re witnessing a troubling resurgence of so-called ‘traditional values,’ often couched in nostalgic fantasies of patriarchal order,” Jušić told Variety, describing a “disturbing” ritual taking place in her country’s capital, Zagreb.
“Groups of men kneel and pray for the ‘purity’ of women.
- 8/4/2025
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
New Europe Film Sales has boarded Croatian writer-director Hana Jušić’s period drama God Will Not Help ahead of its world premiere in the Concorso Internazionale of the Locarno Film Festival, which runs 6–16 August 2025 in Switzerland. The boutique Warsaw-based company also handled international sales on Jušić’s 2016 debut Quit Staring at My Plate, an award winner at Venice Days.
Set in the Dinaric highlands at the dawn of the twentieth century, the film follows Teresa, a Chilean widow who arrives in an isolated community of Croatian shepherds claiming ties to a miner killed overseas; her presence unsettles rigid hierarchies but sparks new possibilities for local women. Principal photography took place from late August to early October 2024 on Mount Dinara, Mount Svilaja and the island of Krk.
Lead role Teresa is played by Chilean actor-filmmaker Manuela Martelli, supported by Ana Marija Veselčić and Filip Đurić. Croatian powerhouse Kinorama produced, with co-production...
Set in the Dinaric highlands at the dawn of the twentieth century, the film follows Teresa, a Chilean widow who arrives in an isolated community of Croatian shepherds claiming ties to a miner killed overseas; her presence unsettles rigid hierarchies but sparks new possibilities for local women. Principal photography took place from late August to early October 2024 on Mount Dinara, Mount Svilaja and the island of Krk.
Lead role Teresa is played by Chilean actor-filmmaker Manuela Martelli, supported by Ana Marija Veselčić and Filip Đurić. Croatian powerhouse Kinorama produced, with co-production...
- 7/8/2025
- by Naser Nahandian
- Gazettely
Exclusive: New Europe Film Sales has boarded Croatian director and screenwriter Hana Jušić’s drama God Will Not Help ahead of its world premiere in competition at the Locarno Film Festival in August.
It is Jušić’s second solo feature film after multi-award-winning 2016 debut Quit Staring at My Plate, on which New Europe also handled sales. Jušić’s other credits include the collective work Transmania and short films Terrarium (Terarij) and No Wolf Has A House.
Set in the early 20th century, God Will Not Help revolves around the arrival of Chilean woman Teresa in a structured and isolated mountain community of Croatian shepherds, claiming to be the widow of their émigré brother.
Her presence disrupts the dynamic of the close-knit community, sparking unrest but also bringing unexpected freedom.
God Will Not Help was among 17 titles announced on Tuesday as having been selected for Locarno’s International Competition alongside pictures...
It is Jušić’s second solo feature film after multi-award-winning 2016 debut Quit Staring at My Plate, on which New Europe also handled sales. Jušić’s other credits include the collective work Transmania and short films Terrarium (Terarij) and No Wolf Has A House.
Set in the early 20th century, God Will Not Help revolves around the arrival of Chilean woman Teresa in a structured and isolated mountain community of Croatian shepherds, claiming to be the widow of their émigré brother.
Her presence disrupts the dynamic of the close-knit community, sparking unrest but also bringing unexpected freedom.
God Will Not Help was among 17 titles announced on Tuesday as having been selected for Locarno’s International Competition alongside pictures...
- 7/8/2025
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
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