Feature film The TOWER OF STRENGTH (OBRAZ, orig.)
Official Oscar® Entry for the 98th Academy Awards: Montenegro
Running time: 97 min; Montenegro/Serbia/Germany/Croatia
LOG LINE
A persecuted child finds shelter in the house of the enemy.
The host faces an awestruck choice: to save the child’s life and his own integrity
– or risk losing his family to a group of armed kinsmen.
Film genre: Suspense drama with a historical background, Eastern (Balkan Western).
The Tower of Strength / SYNOPSIS
World War II is underway in Yugoslavia. A young child, fleeing from the fascist unit that killed their parents and burned their village, finds temporary refuge in the home of a stranger—an Albanian man named Nur Doka.
A significant difference between them becomes evident: the child is Christian, while Nur is Muslim. In wartime Yugoslavia, this fact often marked the line between life and death.
Nur, the head of the household, faces a profound moral dilemma as his home comes under intense siege by fascist forces. He must choose whether to:
– Hand over the child to the persecutors, thereby compromising his deeply held beliefs and family code, or
– Endanger his own family’s safety in a desperate, possibly futile attempt to save a young foreigner of a different religion and nationality.
When Nur exhausts all options, he’s confronted with a choice that will not only test his principles but also shape his legacy. And the question remains: WHAT WILL NUR DO?
*Set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II, this film unfolds over 36 intense hours along the Montenegrin border in Yugoslavia. Through the journey of one individual daring to stand against the might of the stronger, this film ignites reflection and inspires change. In a world where warring factions still push relentlessly toward mutual destruction, this story is a powerful reminder that humanity is our ultimate victory over violence and ruin. In times of war, being human is our most vital mission. IN TIMES OF WAR, HUMANITY MATTERS MORE THAN EVER!
Excerpts from reviews and awards
The film has been selected for 27 international film festivals across the globe and has been showcased at prestigious FIAPF-accredited A-list events, including the Cairo International Film Festival and the IFFI GOA. It is also an official selection of the upcoming Palm Springs International Film Festival and has proudly earned 17 festival awards to date. Below is a curated list of its most remarkable and highly acclaimed reviews, highlighting the film’s critical recognition.
– A powerful period drama … stunning, haunting, carefully detailed… truly resonates with our contemporary time”, Alissa Simon, Variety
– Montenegrin director Nikola Vukčević delivers a monumental work — a gripping and profound historical drama that powerfully reflects on the brutality of war and the urgent, fragile, and revolutionary possibility of remaining human. Sara Caccianini
– ‘The Tower of Strength’ is a tight piece of cinema that evokes the traditional genres of a war movie and a western, without ever over-using the genre approach to the detriment of the drama at the film’s core. Cineuropa
– OBRAZ captivated audiences with its haunting beauty and emotional depth. Viewers connected deeply with its portrayal of memory and identity — a story that stayed with them long after the lights came up. Audience Choice Award – Best Feature Film, San Diego International Film Festival
– Edon Rizvanolli’s masterful performance conveys the full emotional complexity of a man caught in the grip of war, while Nikola Vukčević’s direction blends Shakespearean tension with historical depth, making this film a powerful and unforgettable highlight of the festival. Grand Prix Hasan II and and Best Male Actor Award at Festival of Authors’ Film 30th Anniversary Edition, Rabat, Morocco
– An ethical and cinematic masterpiece, undoubtedly the best film presented at the Ischia Film Festival 2025. Due to its profound emotional significance, and its restoration of honor and the sense of family, Obraz is a prayer for peace, an act of remembrance, and a lesson in humanity that transcends time, space, and religion. Il terzo news
– Nikola Vukčević manages to maintain the film’s pace while also having the opportunity to explore all the existential and philosophical questions it leaves open. This film is an experience that demonstrates that humanity, as a symbol of victory over violence and destruction, becomes more important than ever, especially when faced with the fate of war. FIPRESCI critic, Zein Alabedin Khairy
– Nikola Vukčević, with his latest work, managed to create a suspense-packed genre film rich in fantasy – at times horror-like – motifs, superlative landscape shots and characters that would be a match for THE LORD OF THE RINGS’. Bernd Buder, Cottbus film festival, Germany
– ‘The Tower of Strength’ at the Cairo Film Festival celebrates honor and humanity as a response to violence. Il Messaggero – Italia
– It is a gripping historical drama rich in elements of fantasy, reflecting the conflict between humanity and brutality, as well as between courage and fear. Yet, universal human values transcend the deepest differences, and Vukčević’s ‘The Tower of Strength’ transforms into a story of sacrifice and a prayer for peace in its profound depth. Politika, Serbia
– The screenplay achieves something very difficult: to put into words human and universal conflicts in the midst of the violence of war. It also shows how to overcome social and religious differences to save innocent lives. The director excels in how he manages to keep the pace of the film in its mix of genres and how he explores existential questions and human values in the relationship between the protagonists, which includes children. International Film Festival in Zaragoza – Spain
– The story remains highly relevant today, serving as a powerful reminder that universal human values can triumph over even the deepest divisions. Sofia International Film Festival
– The Cairo Film Festival welcomed the film ‘The Tower of Strength’ with great ecstasy. Eco del Cinema – Italia
Update October 2025: A Resonant Journey Across Continents, and OSCAR run
Since its grand launch in November 2024, OBRAZ has travelled the globe, earning recognition and connecting with audiences at some of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.Our journey began with a domestic and world premiere at the Cottbus Film Festival in Germany, a key platform for Eastern European cinema. The international premiere follossswed shortly after at the Cairo International Film Festival — one of only 15 A-list competitive feature film festivals accredited by FIAPF, and the most prominent in the Arab world, Africa, and the Middle East. OBRAZ continued to build momentum with its Asian premiere at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI-Goa) — the continent’s largest and most esteemed festival (also FIAPF A-list) — followed by selection at the Dhaka International Film Festival, another vital Asian platform. These early milestones set the tone for a powerful reception, affirming the film’s emotional and artistic resonance across cultures. In January 2025, OBRAZ was awarded Best Cinematography at the Jaipur International Film Festival, standing out among 80 films from around the world. The film was then selected for the Sofia International Film Festival (FIAPF-accredited), where it competed for the Best Balkan Film award (The story remains highly relevant today, serving as a powerful reminder that universal human values can triumph over even the deepest divisions. – official catalogue of the Sofia IFF). Further acclaim followed in March at the International Film Festival in Zaragoza – Saraqusta, Spain, where OBRAZ received two major awards:
- Best Screenplay Award, with the jury noting: “The screenplay achieves something very difficult: to put into words human and universal conflicts in the midst of the violence of war. It also shows how to overcome social and religious differences to save innocent lives.”
- Best Director Award, with the citation: “The director excels in how he manages to keep the pace of the film in its mix of genres and how he explores existential questions and human values in the relationship between the protagonists, which include children.
At the award ceremony in Zaragoza, director Nikola Vukčević shared the stage with legendary actress Nastassja Kinski. In May, the film celebrated its Hungarian premiere at the Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival, dedicated to the Oscar-winning Hungarian-born cinematographer. OBRAZ was screened in the main competition alongside only eight other international titles, including EMILIA PÉREZ (France-Mexico, 2024) — a film with 13 Oscar nominations, multiple Golden Globes, and five European Film Awards — and SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE (Ireland, 2024), winner of the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance at Berlinale 2024. And the journey continues: In June, OBRAZ had its Italian premiere at the glamorous Ischia Film Festival, competing in the official selection, where it received impressive reviews from critics. That was followed by the Portuguese premiere at the Avanca Film Festival (Jury Special Mention, Best Scenography). In August we were heading back to India for two festivals (Kolkata and Delhi), in Italia (Imago IFF: Best cinematography) and in Montenegro international film festival (Best film). We start September in Italia, Calabria (Best feature film at i-Fest International FF) and Kazan IFF – (Best feature film). OBRAZ / The Tower of Strength has been officially selected for its U.S. premiere at the prestigious San Diego International Film Festival in mid-October, within a highly exclusive program lineup (From Sundance – Rebuilding, the highly anticipated Hamnet, the newest film by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao honored at the Toronto, and After the Hunt, directed by L. Guadagnino, starring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield.) and Been invited to participate in the main competition programs of two esteemed upcoming festivals — the Festival of Auteur Film in Rabat, Morocco, and CineBogota 42, where it will mark its South American premiere. Most recently, the film was officially selected as Montenegro’s Oscar entry for the 2025 Academy Awards (Best International Feature Film), by the decision of the Commission of the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro.
DIRECTOR’ NOTE:
Imagine a powerful collaboration between Jews and Palestinians – together making a movie about how to rise above nation/religion and be human? Can you imagine a few Russians and Ukrainians, Indians and Pakistanis, North and South Koreans, Turks and Greeks, making a movie that showcases how we can transcend the boundaries of nation and religion and unite as human beings? Despite centuries of bloodshed, a few brave individuals from opposing sides come together to create a cinematic story that offers hope for a better future.
My ancestors and the ancestors of the actors in my film – they looked at each other through the sights of a rifle for a long time, and those wounds still run deep and much alive today, both within them and within us.
This is why my upcoming film, which features a Muslim hero who sacrifices everything to save an innocent Christian child, is more than just a work of art. It’s a powerful reminder that universal human values can overcome even the most entrenched differences.
The story is set in the Balkan region, but its message is universal. It’s an ode to humanity, a prayer for peace, and a poignant tale of sacrifice and values that we all need. By rising above our small human determinations, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this groundbreaking project.
PRODUCERS NOTE:
Can you imagine a powerful collaboration – between Jews and Palestinians, coming together to make a movie about transcending national and religious boundaries and embracing our shared humanity? Can you envision Russians and Ukrainians, Indians and Pakistanis, North and South Koreans, Turks and Greeks, as well as Albanians from Kosovo and Serbs and Montenegrins, joining forces to create a film that showcases how we can unite as human beings?
In this case, it is Albanians from Kosovo, and Serbs and Montenegrins who have collaborated to bring this film to life. Our ancestors viewed each other through the sights of rifles for decades, and in Kosovo, killings and insecurity continue to occur on a daily basis. The scars of those wounds are still present today, both within them and within us. That is why our upcoming film, featuring a Muslim hero who selflessly sacrifices everything to save an innocent Christian child, holds a deeper significance beyond being a mere work of art. It serves as a powerful reminder that universal human values can triumph over even the most deeply entrenched differences.
IN TIMES OF WAR, HUMANITY MATTERS MORE THAN EVER!
Production: Galileo production Montenegro, in association with: Cinnamon Beograd, Progressive films NU
Support: Film centre Montenegro, Film centre Serbia, Montengrin Ministry of culture, CEKUM Podgorica, City of Bar
Feature film
THE TOWER OF STRENGTH
Film director
Nikola Vukcevic
Scriptwriters
Ana Vujadinović
Melina Pota
Script associate
Nikola Vukčević
Script doctors
David Pope
MIDPOINT
Andrea Magnani
ALBSCRIPT+
The script was created by the adaptation of the motifs from the story of the FACE OF HONOUR, written by academic Zuvdija Hodžić
Film producers:
Nikola Vukcevic
Milorad Radenovic
Co-producers:
Ivica Vidanovic
Nevena Savic
Dario Domitrović
Boris Raonić
Christoph Thoke
Executive producers:
Milorad Radenovic
Jelena Filipovic
Production coordinator: Nikola Čavor
DoP: Djordje Stojiljkovic, costume: Lidija Jovanovic, scenography: Stanislav Nikicevic, mask: Natasa Sevcnikar, sound: Igor Vujovic, Djoko Jablan, editing: Olga Toni.