About the film

Based on a novel written on the true story of Marijan Gubin, the film depicts the life of 10-year-old Marijan and his family, whose peaceful and idyllic existence is abruptly shattered by the Croatian War of Independence. The conflict ravages their small town of Dalj, leading to an immense betrayal by their closest friends and neighbors. Suffering 260 days in captivity and unimaginable violence, the family resolves to take daring measures to secure their freedom, placing their courage and resilience to the test. Years later, a man walks into Marijan's store, bringing back all the memories he wishes to forget and forcing him to relive them. Despite his immense hardships, Marijan lives on in forgiveness, always seeking the positives in the future rather than rehashing and remaining in the past.

“We who survived the camps, remember our brothers and sisters and the sad, tormented children. We remember the unfortunate events in which they were deprived of everything: freedom, dignity, security, loved ones, and ultimately life. We who survived daily, resist the burden of captivity that we carry on our shoulders, and too often and too quietly we hear that one of ours succumbed to its consequences. For them, for us, for our children and future generations, we must persevere so that they are not forgotten. Memories and freedom remain to us survivors, the freedom to choose our own path. I, a former prisoner, have chosen the path of forgiveness, non-judgment, non-hatred; I send a message of peace and pray for them. I urge you to strive to do the same.”