Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day was Croatia’s submission for the 2025 Academy Awards. Even though it never moved past being shortlisted, Ivona Juka’s historical drama is still worth checking out; especially during its Pride Month theatrical release.

Writer/director Juka tells the heart-wrenching story of closeted, former soldiers (and war heroes) who have been assigned the task of making propaganda movies for the Tito regime after WWII. Already feeling suppressed by extreme and contemptible opinions on homosexuality and ideologies, the filmmakers often find themselves combating against how information and stories should be conveyed in their work. When suspicions are raised around the hidden lives of these filmmakers as their art starts to push more boundaries, an insider is given the task to sabotage the initiative. However, the covert mission becomes more difficult when business relationships become more intimate; allowing the insider to see these new acquaintances from a more empathetic perspective.

Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day is a humble showcase for interesting actors to perform compelling character work. Underneath the tension of everyday life is an emotional core that Juka can effortlessly tap into to portray relatable desires to express oneself as well as the significance of wanting acceptance and love.

The emotional bond between the film and its audience is so strong, we almost look past the distracting modern look of the film. The occasional use of minor special effects sorely stand out, and the black-and-white digital sheen, which appears to have been added in post production, looks too clean. There’s a final payoff that subverts the visual look but, unlike the rest of the film, the effort isn’t worth it.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie