Freedom From Despair: The Movie

<body> <table width="575" border="1" align="left" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="4" bordercolor="#333333" bgcolor="#000000"> <tr bgcolor="#990000"> <td colspan="2"><strong>FREEDOM FROM DESPAIR: THE FILM</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Freedom from Despair is a feature length documentary that explores the untold history of Communist Yugoslavia through first hand interviews, stock footage, news reels and narrative recreations shot in the US and Croatia. The film portrays the incredible journey of Kruno Brkusic, who as a young man risked his life to flee from a regime that punished independent thought and suppressed Croatian culture through state-sanctioned terror, imprisonment and exile. In 1957 after escaping on foot to Italy, Kruno is given a chance to live in the USA and his dream of witnessing the free world is realized.  <p>When Kruno’s homeland becomes scarred by war during the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1991, he brings himself to duty as an activist on Croatian affairs. He becomes a voice in the American media, fighting to disseminate untruths and war-time propaganda while challenging the journalistic community to take a stand on human rights in that part of the world. As the nation sits by and watches the atrocities on television, the Croatian American community comes together to express their concern for the unjust loss of life, land, and culture - resulting in the largest March of one ethnic group on Washington since the Martin Luther King demonstration of 1963. The film examines the role certain administrations had in allowing the massacre of over 250,000 people to occur in the Balkans. <br> <br> Interviewees include an Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience, US Congressmen, a priest, a concentration camp survivor, authors on Croatian history, Kruno, his childhood friends, and his family. In exploring the atrocities committed and hidden by the Communist government of Yugoslavia, the filmmaker pieces together a shocking world that lay silenced within a generation of survivors for the past 50 years. Slowly, as these people are heard, the healing of a nation begins. Courage, faith, and an overwhelming desire to fight for freedom in the face of despair; these are the themes included in this film, making it a saga but also a celebration of culture, democracy, and the abiding strength in the human spirit.</p> <p>Running Time—95 minutes<br> Format—Digital Video<br> Language—English and Croatian with English subtitles and English dubbs.</p></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#990000"> <td colspan="2"><div align="left"><strong>FREEDOM FROM DESPAIR: </strong><strong align="left">BIOGRAPHIES</strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>BRENDA BRKUSIC</strong><br> Producer, Writer, Director, Editor</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Filmmaker, dancer, and model, Brenda Brkusic was born in Chicago and moved to Los Angeles in 1999 to pursue her dream of working in the entertainment industry. Brenda has recently graduated with highest honors from Chapman University where she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Television Writing and Directing on an academic scholarship. At Chapman, she had experience as a production assistant, post production supervisor, script supervisor, and dance choreographer on various short films while also serving the film school as a part of the administration staff. She wrote, produced, directed and edited her senior thesis documentary Freedom from Despair, a feature which was shot in California, Chicago and Croatia during the summer of 2003. Due to her efforts, Brenda was awarded Chapman Film School’s Marion Knott Scholarship, which afforded her the opportunity to work one on one with Academy Award winning filmmaker David S. Ward, during post-production on Freedom from Despair. Brenda was featured on PBS television for the Next Generation Filmmakers program and Real Orange news program where she was interviewed about the making of Freedom from Despair. She has also been featured in the Marymount College Magazine, Arena Magazine, the Suburban Life Newspaper, on Croatian-American Internet Radio and on Croatian Satellite Television in North America and Canada. Her writing about Croatia has been published in the Washington Times Newspaper. Most recently she was interviewed on 88.9 FM for the program “Center Stage” which features award winning independent filmmakers. Freedom from Despair had a World Premiere in the Amnesty International Film Festival at the Director’s Guild in Hollywood and a Croatian Premiere in the Dubrovnik International Film Festival during May 2004, while also taking home the title of “Best Documentary” at the Chapman University Student Filmmaker Awards. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>TERENCE PRATT</strong><br> Director of Photography</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Since his arrival in the motion picture industry, Terence Pratt has worked on numerous award winning independent features as well as shot over 200 episodes of television including Unsolved Mysteries, Arrest and Trial and the Lifetime reality series What Should You Do? He has traveled the world for Discovery Channel to document such wonders as the Sphinx in Egypt, the Yonaguni underwater pyramid structure in the East China Sea, and the Garaho Indians of Northern Columbia. His student documentary, Wake Island, won Best Documentary at the Melbourne International Film Festival and he also won Best Cinematography at the New York Independent Film Festival for the film Devil’s Playground. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>JOHN SAVAGE</strong><br> Narrator</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">John Savage has starred in some of the great Academy Award Winning films of the seventies such as The Deer Hunter, and Hair, and has always been attracted to humanitarian causes. While in Africa, he served as the production manager for Spike Lee’s Malcolm X. Some of his recent films include Oliver Stone’s Salvador, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, Coppola’s Godfather 3, and The Thin Red Line. His impressive TV credits include his regular role in the James Cameron FOX series Dark Angel. John has organized the children’s theatre group, in which he performs without fees in public housing. Presently, John travels across the country as a spokesman for The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>MICHAEL YORK</strong><br> Voice Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Michael York has enjoyed a successful international career for nearly 40 years, creating an impressive body of work on stage, screen and in the recording studio. His more than 100 film and TV credits include memorable roles in Romeo and Juliet, Cabaret, The Three Musketeers, Logan's Run and all three Austin Powers movies. He has recorded over 60 audio books, including his autobiography, Accidentally on Purpose. Awarded Britain's OBE, France's Arts et Lettres, he also has a Star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>BEATA POZNIAK</strong><br> Voice Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Best known for her role as Marina Oswald in Oliver Stone's JFK, acclaimed Polish actress, activist and artist Beata Pozniak is as politically-minded offscreen. She spearheaded passage of the first bill to recognize International Women's Day in the United States and produces an annual star-studded Women's Day Awards Show recognizing the achievements of unique women. Pozniak's paintings and sculptures explore the roles of women in society, and have attracted the attention of Los Angeles galleries and a celebrity clientele. Pozniak has been seen on Melrose Place, Mad About You, George Lucas’ The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, JAG, Babylon 5 and Pensacola: Wings of Gold.</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>PETAR CVIRN</strong><br> Lead Actor</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Born in Zagreb, Croatia, on september 1, 1986, Petar Cvirn first started acting at the age of 10 in a local partner theatre of the Croatian National Theatre. Since elementary school Petar has been chosen to play lead roles 14 different works such as Cinderella, and as the Greek God Apolo in The Fury of the Gods. Freedom from Despair was his feature film debut. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>IRINA DAMIC</strong><br> Casting Director</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Irina Damic is the first and only casting director in Croatia and the head of Kvadar, a production company in Croatia run by women. She has recently worked with Branko Lustig, Michael Winterbottom, and with the V-Day organization for their current program in Croatia. Irina’s talents can be seen in the films Welcome to Sarajevo, Peacemaker, and Behind Enemy Lines. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>NENAD BACH</strong><br> Music</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Some of Nenad Bach’s work includes performing on MTV, scoring the Robert Stone documentary feature film The Satellite Sky, which won "Louis Award" for 1990, the Robert Katz film King of Cool, the Danny Schechter film Beyond Life With Timothy Leary. He also composed the world renowned 1000 Years of Peace, a fundraising compilation with Michael York, Martin Sheen and John Malkovich for orphaned children during the war in Croatia. www.nenadbach.com</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>ADDITIONAL INTERVIEWEES</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>DENNIS KUCINICH</strong>—US Congressman who visited Croatia during the 1990’s war. <p><strong>GEORGE RADANOVICH</strong>—US Congressman. </p> <p><strong>C. MICHAEL MCADAMS</strong>—Historian and author of the book, Croatia: Myth and Reality</p> <p><strong>DR. JERRY BLASKOVICH</strong>—Author of the book, Anatomy of Deceit and investigator of war crimes in the 1990’s war. </p> <p><strong>MARKO DIZDAR</strong>—Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience at Lepoglava Prison from 1974-1985 and President of Former Political Prisoners Under Communism. </p> <p><strong>FATHER PETAR BEZINA</strong>—75 years in Priesthood and witness to murders of Croatian Catholic clergy members under Communism. </p> <p><strong>SURVIVORS OF COMMUNISM</strong>—including Kruno Brkusic, his family and friends. </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#990000"> <td colspan="2"><strong>FREEDOM FROM DESPAIR: CREDITS </strong></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#333333"> <td colspan="2"><div align="left"> <strong align="left">CAST</strong> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Narrator</td> <td>John Savage </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Voice Over </td> <td>Michael York<br> Beata Pozniak</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Young Kruno </td> <td>Petar Cvirn</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Kruno’s Father<br></td> <td>Stipe Brkusic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Kruno’s Mother <br></td> <td>Noelle Charles</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Friend 1</td> <td>Danijel Pek</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Friend 2</td> <td>Jure Busic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>UDBA Officer</td> <td>Terence Pratt</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Prison Guard 1</td> <td>John Dolan</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Prison Guard 2</td> <td>Vladimir Sever</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Italian Farmer</td> <td>Vlado Brkusic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Italian Farmer’s Wife </td> <td>Anka Brkusic </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Young Marko Dizdar</td> <td>Marko Dizdar</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Girl at Beach</td> <td>Marusa Bilisko</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Woman in Vineyard </td> <td>Dianna Brkusic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Police Officer with K9</td> <td>Carlo Mauro </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#333333"> <td colspan="2"><div align="left"><strong align="left">INTERVIEWEES</strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><div align="left">Dianna Brkusic<br> Kruno Brkusic<br> Roza Brkusic<br> Father Petar Bezina<br> Dr. Jerry Blaskovich<br> Marko Dizdar<br> Niko Hazdovac<br> Congressman Dennis Kucinich<br> Congressman George Radanovich<br> C. Michael McAdams<br> Julija Radovanovich<br> Zvonko Ranogajec<br> Bob Ukas <p></p> </div></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#333333"> <td colspan="2"><div align="left"><strong align="left">CREW</strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Writer, Director, Producer</td> <td>Brenda Brkusic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Executive Producer</td> <td>Dianna Brkusic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Director of Photography</td> <td>Terence Pratt</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Editor</td> <td>Brenda Brkusic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Music Composer</td> <td>Nenad Bach</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sound Design</td> <td>Liz Irons</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Graphic Design</td> <td>Matt Frantz <br> John Dolan</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Video Effects</td> <td>Matt Frantz</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Associate Producer</td> <td>Irina Damic<br> John Dolan </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Production Assistants</td> <td>Dianna Brkusic<br> Tereza Brkusic<br> Tamara Klarin<br> David Pavlinic</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Translations</td> <td>Marusa Bilisko<br> Dianna Brkusic<br> Tereza Brkusic</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Research</td> <td>Brenda Brkusic<br> Dianna Brkusic<br> Ante Beljo<br> Hilda M. Foley </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Props</td> <td>Dianna Brkusic<br> Noelle Charles <br> John Dolan</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Costumes </td> <td>Jadran Film<br> Dianna Brkusic<br> Noelle Charles </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Casting</td> <td>Irina Damic</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Grip </td> <td>John Dolan<br> Noelle Charles</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Boom Operator</td> <td>John Dolan<br> Noelle Charles</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Grip and Lighting Equipment</td> <td>Extreme Film Crew<br> Fletcher, Chicago</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#333333"> <td colspan="2"><div align="left"><strong>MULTIMEDIA CONTENT</strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><div align="left"> <p>Music composed, arranged and produced by<br> Nenad Bach © Nenad Bach Music, Ltd. </p> <p>Musicians<br> Nenad Bach (acoustic piano, strings)<br> Richard Lindsey (bass)<br> John Giamara (percussion)</p> </div> <p align="left">Sound Engineers<br> Nenad Bach, Frank Enea, Ivo Bach</p> <p align="left">“Everything is Forever”<br> Vocal, Lyrics, and Music by Nenad Bach<br> © Nenad Bach Music, Ltd., BMI<br> www.nenadbach.com</p> <p align="left">"Following The Cross"<br> Singers of St. Steven's Church Stari Grad (Pharos), Island Hvar, Croatia<br> Secular Singers from the Church of the Holy Spirit, Vrbanj, Island Hvar, Croatia<br> produced by Nenad Bach<br> © Nenad Bach Music Ltd</p> <p align="left">"Vo Je Nasa Zemja"<br> Music by Mojimir Cacija<br> Lyrics by Jakov Dukic<br> performed by Klapa Sinj <br> produced by Nenad Bach<br> © Nenad Bach Music Ltd</p> <p align="left">"Lipo Ime"<br> Music by Mojimir Cacija<br> Lyrics Jaksa Fiamengo<br> performed by Klapa Sinj<br> produced by Nenad Bach<br> © Nenad Bach Music Ltd</p> <p align="left">Exile Poem by<br> James B. Johnston</p> <p align="left">Stock Footage and Photographs Courtesy of:<br> Amnesty International<br> Miroslav Mikuljan<br> HTV - Croatian Television<br> Anthony Dizdar<br> Marko Dizdar<br> Association of Political Prisoners under Communism<br> Zvonko Ranogajec<br> Alpha Omega Production Company <br> WGN, Chicago<br> CNN, Atlanta<br> ABC, Chicago<br> NBC, Sacramento<br> NBC, Chicago<br> CBS, Chicago<br> www.theodora.com/maps <br> used with permission</p></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#333333"> <td colspan="2"><div align="left"><strong>ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE</strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Transcriptions</td> <td>Brenda Brkusic<br> Dianna Brkusic<br> Tereza Brkusic<br> John Dolan<br> Marcial Rios<br> Jaclyn Austin</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Advisors</td> <td>Daivd S. Ward<br> Michael Kowalski<br> Joe Slowensky</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">VO Recording</td> <td>Pacific Sound Waves</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Website Design </td> <td>Matt Frantz </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#333333"> <td colspan="2"><div align="left"><strong align="left">SPECIAL THANKS</strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><div align="left">Kruno and Dianna Brkusic<br> Tamara Klarin<br> Bob Ukas<br> John Dolan<br> Tom Rinear<br> Marko Mijat<br> Tereza Brkusic<br> Hilda M. Foley<br> Bonnie Abaunza <br> Alessandra Gallo<br> Amnesty International<br> Screen Actors Guild<br> Ante Beljo <br> Croatian Information Center<br> Nenad Bach<br> Beata Pozniak<br> Michael York<br> John Savage<br> Lila Garrett <br> Anita Klarin<br> Anthony Dizdar<br> Susan Obad<br> Ksenija and Nenad Talijancic<br> Stipe and Rosa Brkusic and family<br> Anka and Vlado Brkusic<br> Davor and Rina Talijancic <br> Pizzaria Leonardo, Hvar<br> Mike Zupan<br> Croatian American Cultural Center, Sacramento<br> The Cvirn Family<br> Sitosak Idizajn Cvirn, Zagreb<br> Irina Damic<br> Niko Hazdovac<br> Ambassador Grdesic<br> Vesna Babic<br> Croatian Ministry of Justice<br> Lepoglava Prison<br> Jadran Film<br> Extreme Film Crew<br> Ante Ivankovic<br> Rebecca Rahe<br> Claudia Jabo<br> Alyssa Schreiber<br> Sanja Bujas-Juraga<br> Snjezana Ivic<br> Ivica Grgic<br> Sandy Pudar<br> Zvonko Ranogajec<br> Dr. Thomas McFadden<br> Paul Wolansky<br> Joe Slowensky<br> David Garcia<br> Pete Weitzner <br> Michael Kowalski<br> Tod Withey<br> KC Wayland<br> John Snyder<br> Christian Masini<br> Jeff Bacic<br> Liz Brandenburg<br> Croatia Airlines<br> Dubrovnik Hotel, Zagreb<br> Bob Bassett<br> Marion Knott<br> Pacific Sound Waves<br> Maria Hall-Brown <br> and<br> David S. Ward</div></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#990000"> <td colspan="2"><div align="left"><strong>FREEDOM FROM DESPAIR: SUPPORT THE FILM</strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><p>The Croatian National Association (Hrvatska Narodna Udruga) and the Croatian National Foundation (Hrvatska Narodna Zaklada) are a non profit umbrella organization in Southern California, that upon hearing about and viewing Freedom from Despair, held a board meeting and decided unanimously to assist the filmmaker and her film through fiscal sponsorship. The Croatian National Association feels strongly that Freedom from Despair is a monumental film representing the truth about the Croatian people in the American and world media like no other film has accomplished before. </p> <p>Freedom from Despair has the power to affect millions of people around the world and needs to be supported and promoted so that everyone can have access to its message. The Croatian community and fans of the film around the world can help and be a part of the film by contributing their time and resources. The film has been financed by the filmmaker, a student, who in making the film took loans from family in order to fight for the greater cause that she believed in. Now she needs the resources necessary to go further with promoting the film, paying for loans, promotional materials, press packets, film festival submissions, tape stock, stock footage rights….the list goes on and on. Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law and would make a significant contribution to the success of the film. <br> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><strong>THREE WAYS TO HELP: </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><p>1. Please end your tax deductible contribution to: </p> <blockquote> <p>Croatian National Foundation<br> P.O. Box 6591<br> Woodland Hills, CA 91365 USA <br> <br> Tel: (818) 610-3388<br> Fax: (818) 610-1023</p> </blockquote> <p>Make your check payable to Croatian National Foundation. The Croatian National Foundation will send each contributor a tax deductible receipt. The receipts have the foundation's tax I.D. number. </p> <p>Upon sending your contribution, please send a confirmation email to freedomfromdespair@yahoo.com detailing the amount in which you have donated so that Brenda can record it and send you a personal thank you! </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">2. Help organize a fundraising screening of the film in your community! Contact us to join a screening team in your community or even start a fundraising screening yourself! The Croatian National Association is here to help you or your organization get involved with promoting the film.</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><p>3. Spread the word about Freedom form Despair. Encourage your friends to donate, help with and attend fundraising screenings in support of this monumental film about the Croatian struggle. </p></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#990000"> <td colspan="2"><div align="left"><strong>FREEDOM FROM DESPAIR: </strong><strong align="left">CONTACT INFORMATION </strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><p>For questions or comments please email freedomfromdespair@NOSPAMyahoo.com (remove "NOSPAM" before sending) </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><p>If you would like to reserve a copy of the film to purchase once distribution is secured, please send an email with the subject “copy.” Don’t forget to include your name address and phone number. You will be contacted as soon as copies are available for sale. </p> <p>Please check this website for periodic updates and information on upcoming screenings! </p> <p>And please don’t forget to visit the <a href="supportthefilm.html">SUPPORT THE FILM</a> page!</p> <p>Thank you!</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <style type="text/css">  </style> <div align="center" class="style9"> <div align="center" class="style10"><a href="index.html" target="_top">HOME</a> | <a href="thefilm.html" target="mainFrame">THE FILM</a> | <a href="thetrailer.html" target="mainFrame">THE TRAILER</a> | <a href="biographies.html" target="mainFrame">CAST/CREW BIOGRAPHIES</a> | <a href="screeningsandawards.html" target="mainFrame">SCREENINGS/AWARDS</a> | <a href="pressandreviews.html" target="mainFrame">PRESS/REVIEWS<br> </a><a href="photogallery.html" target="mainFrame">PHOTO GALLERY </a> | <a href="credits.html" target="mainFrame">CREDITS</a> | <a href="purchaseinfo.html" target="mainFrame">PURCHASE</a> | <a href="supportthefilm.html" target="mainFrame">SUPPORT THE FILM </a> | <a href="links.html" target="mainFrame">LINKS</a> | <a href="contact.html" target="mainFrame">CONTACT</a></div> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <style type="text/css">  </style> <div align="center" class="style9">All contents on this site © 2004. 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