TRUE STORIES OF THE CROATIAN PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE TO OVERCOME OPPRESSION FROM COMMUNIST YUGOSLAVIA AND THE 1990's FIGHT TO SAVE THEIR WAR RAVAGED HOMELAND.

“Freedom from Despair is a powerful, moving film, documenting a much neglected piece of modern history - Croatia’s struggle for independence from the repression of Tito’s Yugoslavia and the brutality of the Balkan War. Brenda Brkusic has created a memorable portrait of a people, a culture, and one man’s hard-fought journey to freedom.”
     -David S. Ward, Academy Award Winning Filmmaker

FREEDOM FROM DESPAIR IS A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE, DEMOCRACY, AND THE ABIDING STRENGTH OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

Starring Michael York, John Savage, Beata Pozniak, and Dennis Kucinich

Brenda Brkusic's documentary is an example of sublime filmmaking that poignantly tells the story of one brave man and translates his experience into powerful and compelling statements about the human spirit, political agendas, and global responsibility. Amnesty International commends Brenda for this filmic achievement and we hope that she continues to bring socially conscious films to the attention of audiences around the world." -Bonnie Abaunza, Director of Artists for Amnesty International

 

“Brenda Brkusic is a young American filmmaker of Croatian decent who actually delved deep into the roots of the war in Croatia, unlike most foreign based directors who were lost in a myriad of ideological propaganda from all sides and left most things open ended and unanswered.” -Voice of Croatia Radio Program

 

"An eye-opening documentary" -OC Weekly

"A brilliant film" -The Tolucan Times

"A moving account" -The Studio City Sun