Hana Jušić's Film 'God Forgives' Garners Accolades Following Locarno Premiere

The sophomore feature film from Croatian writer-director Hana Jušić, the drama titled 'God Forgives' (Bog Neće Pomoći), has captured significant international attention following its world premiere. This debut took place at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, which ran from August 6th through August 16th, 2025. The historical piece, set in a remote Dalmatian mountain village during the early twentieth century, was met with a lengthy standing ovation in the Palexpo hall, which seats over a thousand attendees.

Despite its historical setting, the film has already been recognized as a potent commentary on contemporary issues. It was developed as a co-production involving five European nations: Croatia, Italy, Romania, Greece, and France. The actresses leading the cast, Manuela Martelli and Ana Maria Veselčić, jointly secured the prestigious Golden Leopard award for Best Actress at the Locarno festival. The jury, chaired by Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh, specifically lauded their ability to convey both profound vulnerability and exceptional willpower while navigating language barriers.

Martelli, who is a Chilean actress and director, was unable to attend the award ceremony as she was engaged in filming commitments back in Chile; consequently, Veselčić accepted the award on her behalf. Furthermore, the film earned the Special Prize for the Promotion of Gender Equality at the Sarajevo Film Festival, held between August 15th and August 22nd. Martelli also received recognition for Best Actress at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival for her portrayal of Tereza, the enigmatic Chilean widow.

The narrative centers on Tereza (played by Manuela Martelli), a Chilean woman who arrives in an isolated community of shepherds nestled within the Dinaric Mountains. She claims to be the widow of the elder’s brother, who perished in a Chilean mine disaster. Her arrival immediately disrupts the established social fabric of the community, bringing both unease and, potentially, a measure of freedom for Tereza and perhaps others among the women.

Communicating solely in Spanish, Tereza slowly begins to master essential Croatian phrases to articulate the true purpose of her visit. This purpose extends beyond simply arranging for the burial of remains; it also involves laying claim to a portion of the family's inheritance. This quest for recognition and property sets the stage for significant internal conflict within the tight-knit group.

The supporting characters contribute heavily to an atmosphere thick with suspicion and tension, typical of deeply entrenched patriarchal structures. The deceased man’s younger brother, Nikola (portrayed by Mauro Ercegović Gracin), remains highly skeptical of Tereza’s intentions. In contrast, the elder brother, Ilija (Filip Đurić), a former seminarian, offers Tereza acceptance, sharing in her devout faith.

Milena (Ana Maria Veselčić), the deceased man’s sister, is the first to welcome the outsider. A deep spiritual bond and solidarity quickly form between the two women, transcending the language barrier and acting as a crucial shield against the community’s pressure to conform. This alliance proves vital to Tereza’s survival and mission.

The film’s visual language, captured by cinematographer Jana Plešac across locations including Mount Dinara, Mount Svilaja, and the island of Krk, powerfully underscores the harshness of the landscape, mirroring the formal precision of Jušić’s direction. 'God Forgives' marks Jušić’s second feature, following her successful debut, 'Quit Staring at My Plate' (Ne gledaj mi u tanjur), which premiered to acclaim at the Venice Film Festival in 2016. The production, budgeted at 1.2 million euros, received crucial development support from the Cinéfondation in Paris and secured a Eurimages grant of 390,000 euros in March 2024, with principal photography taking place between August and October 2024.