'Celebration' Review: A Window Into a Significant Period in Croatian History

By Romey Norton - February 7, 2025

Audiences are always captivated by films that show the harsh realities of war, deprivation, and political turmoil. These stories open our eyes and remind us what effects war can have on people from soldiers, to their families, to the everyday working man. As this genre is so wildly covered, it’s difficult to think any recent films can offer much we haven’t seen or heard before. But Celebration (original title: "Proslava") offers its audience a fresh perspective through the poignant exploration of a family's life in a modest Croatian village from 1926 to 1945.

Celebration is a drama film directed by Bruno Anković, which had its world premiere at the 2024 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it was greatly received. The film follows the story of Mijo, a young Croatian villager who hid in the woods as a soldier at the end of the Second World War. Through his life, we explore the circumstances that led to the expansion of extremism and right-wing ideology.

During the war Hitler created the puppet state of The Rich Independent State of Croatia (NHD) in 1941. There were mass celebrations to help push the propaganda of the regime. The film cleverly and subtly showcases this as well as the control from the Germans. For example, one of the realities is that because a dog bit a German officer, everyone in the villages had to get rid of their dogs. This small section of the film I found quite harrowing.

Bernard Tomić’s performance as Mijo is quietly powerful, capturing the character’s transformation with grace and subtlety. His ability to convey deep emotion without overstatement is impressive, making his portrayal both relatable and haunting. Supporting performances, particularly from Krešimir Mikić as Mijo’s father and Tanja Smoje as his mother, enrich the film with layers of familial warmth and tension. Together, the cast creates a believable family setting.

Anković and his cinematographer craft each frame with care; the close up shots help the audience connect with the characters and almost feel their struggles. Especially when climbing a mountain in the cold. Then there are beautiful landscape shots of the mountains in both the summer and the winter, showing the passing of time. For a film that uses flashbacks, it’s done so effortlessly, they aid the story and emotion rather than becoming a confusing distraction.

What sets Celebration apart is its patient, meditative storytelling. Rather than rushing through events, Anković allows the story to unfold naturally, trusting the audience to connect the dots. You’ll have to be an active viewer - this isn’t a film to have on in the background. Sit back and take everything in.

Thematically, Celebration explores the fragility of innocence, the resilience of the human spirit, and the cyclical nature of history. It doesn’t shy away from the darker chapters of its timeline, presenting a sobering reflection on the dangers of political extremism and the cost of societal upheaval.

The ending is very poignant, and left me wanting to know more. Celebration is a visually poetic thought-provoking drama. With strong performances and evocative cinematography, the film offers a window into a significant period in Croatian history, making it a noteworthy addition to contemporary cinema.

Now available on digital platforms