God Will Not Help (Bog Neće Pomoći)

A Chilean woman Teresa comes into a firmly structured and isolated mountain community of Croatian shepherds in the early 20th century, claiming to be the widow of their émigré brother who left years ago. She arrives in the middle of the night dressed in black and looking very confident. Her intrusion changes the dynamics between the members of the community, acting as a revealer of the violence of men, and of what haunts the woods. But she is also a source of inspiration for some of the women.

No one understands her, and the various techniques used to communicate give rise to some beautiful scenes. The focus of the story, however, gradually shifts away from the widow’s testimony and its truth. What matters most is how two women help each other rebuild their lives even though they do not speak the same language.

Hana Jušić’s film is visually stunning and boasts a surprising tone that oscillates between gentleness and brutality, skilful in its breaks and digressions. The director, her film and her protagonist all share the rare and gratifying quality of going exactly where they want to go.

This film is eligible for the Audentia Award.

This screening is supported by Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Dublino and the Embassy of Greece in Ireland.