The Golden Years (1992)
A Croatian period drama about brotherhood, political upheaval, and the haunting truth behind a woman's mysterious death twenty years in the past.
The Golden Years - Movie Information
- Original Title: Zlatne godine
- Release Year: 1992
- Directed by: Davor Žmegač
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: Croatian
- Spoken Languages: Croatian
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1992 (HR)
- Production Companies: Grad Zagreb, ICAV, MaXima film
- Production Countries: Croatia
The Golden Years - Plot
The crash of student strike, also the crash of "Croatian Spring" in December of 1971, causes a violent separation of its three participants: A member of student leaders Jakov, his brother Mislav and Jakov's girlfriend Suncana. Jakov escapes abroad, while Mislav and Suncana remain in Zagreb believing that nothing bad can happen to them. Meanwhile, Mislav is getting arrested and Suncana stays alone. 20 years later, Jakov returns from Australia looking for a new beginning. He stays at Mislav's who married a girl from a rich family, after being released from prison and became a dentist. Soon, the brothers discover that the scelator from the past were not buried after all. The case of Suncana Krizic, who got killed in 1972 under mysterious circumstances, becomes Jakov's obsession in finding the truth.
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The Golden Years - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Davor Žmegač
Main Cast
- Igor Galo
- Goran Grgić
- Aleksandra Turjak
- Mirta Zečević
- Ilija Ivezić
- Ksenija Pajić
- Vanja Drach
- Inge Appelt
- Igor Mešin
- Ljubomir 'Kiki' Kapor
Writers
- Davor Žmegač
The Golden Years - FAQs
What is The Golden Years about?
The Golden Years follows two brothers, Jakov and Mislav, whose lives are shattered by the suppression of the Croatian Spring in 1971. Jakov flees to Australia while Mislav is imprisoned. Two decades later, Jakov returns to Zagreb and becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the mysterious death of his former girlfriend, Sunčana Križić.
Where can I watch The Golden Years?
Streaming availability for The Golden Years varies by region. You can check current viewing options, including any rental, purchase, or subscription platforms available in your area, by visiting JustWatch, which tracks up-to-date streaming information for this 1992 Croatian drama.
Is The Golden Years based on a true story?
The Golden Years is a fictional drama, but it is rooted in the real historical events of the Croatian Spring — a mass political movement suppressed by Yugoslav authorities in December 1971. The film uses this authentic backdrop to explore personal tragedy, political repression, and the long shadow of unresolved injustice.
Who directed The Golden Years?
The Golden Years was directed by Davor Žmegač, who also wrote the screenplay. The film is one of the notable Croatian productions from the early 1990s, released in 1992 during a period of significant political and cultural transformation in Croatia following the dissolution of Yugoslavia.
Who are the main actors in The Golden Years?
The film stars Igor Galo as Jakov Petras and Goran Grgić as his brother Mislav Petras. Aleksandra Turjak plays Sunčana Križić, the woman at the heart of the mystery. The supporting cast includes Mirta Zečević, Ksenija Pajić, Vanja Drach, Ilija Ivezić, and Inge Appelt.
What genre is The Golden Years?
The Golden Years is a Drama and Romance film. It also carries strong elements of a mystery thriller, as the central narrative revolves around protagonist Jakov's determined investigation into the suspicious death of his former girlfriend, Sunčana, who was killed under unexplained circumstances in 1972.
How long is The Golden Years?
The Golden Years has a runtime of 110 minutes, or 1 hour and 50 minutes. The film was released in Croatia on January 1, 1992, and was produced by Grad Zagreb, ICAV, and MaXima film as a Croatian-language production set across two distinct historical periods.
What are similar movies to The Golden Years?
If you enjoyed The Golden Years, similar films worth exploring include The Country Girls (1984), Empire of Silver (2009), The Twilight Samurai (2002), The Aspern Papers (2019), A Little Chaos (2015), and Cross My Heart (2017). These films share themes of historical drama, romance, and personal reckoning across time.
More About The Golden Years
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