See more on the official website: 260 Days.
NOVEL
Although the novel belongs to the field of recent Croatian history – the Homeland War, which describes the ordeal of the Croatian people through the prism of the Gubina family’s tragedy – we can confidently state that the novel 260 DAYS is a self-help book. Numerous readers recommend it to others, saying that once they read 260 DAYS, they realize their problems do not justify depression and dissatisfaction with life.
It is essential to emphasize that the novel 260 DAYS is used as a tool in the development of a culture of peace.
The novel 260 DAYS was published in 2011, printed in 46,000 copies in 9 languages, and translated into 15 languages.
Despite the credible description of wartime events and the identification of some perpetrators, due to the author Marijan Gubina’s goal, message, and lifestyle, both the novel and the author have become authorities in the peace-building scene.
This is confirmed by numerous commendations, awards, recognitions, city seals, county charters, and the Order of the Croatian Interlace from the Republic of Croatia.
The novel is considered one of the most widely read novels in Croatia and is frequently used for Lidrano competitions and as required reading. The short autobiographical novel 260 DAYS by Marijan Gubina was published in 2011, printed in 46,000 copies, translated into 15 languages, and printed in 9 languages.
THEATRE PLAY
The Croatian National Theatre in Osijek staged the play in 2015.
The rapid celebration of its fiftieth performance confirmed the already known fact that the play 260 Days is a HIT and that there are never enough seats for each performance.
The quality and demand for the play are also confirmed by six historical awards:
The 25th Marulić Days in Split brought an award for the dramatization of the text to Ana Prolić, and to all project participants, as well as the second, and most valuable, award at the same festival: the Audience Award for Best Play.
We soon expect a new staging by another theatre in Croatia, as well as stagings by international theatres.
The 22nd Actor’s Festival, where the play 260 Days won the award for Best Play overall for the Croatian National Theatre in Osijek,
The Croatian Theatre Award for Best Dramatization and the Award for Best Play.
The Grand Prix Golden Lion Award at the renowned 18th International Festival of Chamber Theatre.
AWARDS
VANJA DRACH AWARD FOR BEST PLAY OVERALL – 22ND ACTOR’S FESTIVAL
AUDIENCE AWARD – BEST PLAY AT THE 25TH MARULIĆ DAYS
CROATIAN THEATRE AWARD – BEST DRAMATIZATION – ANA PROLIĆ
DRAMATIZATION OF THE TEXT – ANA PROLIĆ AWARD AT THE 25TH MARULIĆ DAYS
CROATIAN THEATRE AWARD – BEST PLAY OVERALL
GRAND PRIX 18TH INTERNATIONAL GOLDEN LION FESTIVAL
HOLLYWOOD FEATURE FILM
The famous American screenwriter Barry Morrow, an Oscar winner for the screenplay of the film “Rain Man,” starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, commented on Marijan Gubina’s novel 260 DAYS:
“I haven’t read such a powerful work in a long time. I want the screenplay for 260 DAYS, in which I will follow the authentic story from this excellent novel, to be the crowning achievement of my career… This is not just a Croatian story; it is understandable and acceptable to the whole world!”
Three months after his notable comment, Oscar winner Barry Morrow signed the screenplay for 260 DAYS.
Actors: Armand Assante, Tim Roth, Sam Hazeldine, Will Godber, Camilla Rutherford, Isabella Dempster, Angelina Molina, Tom Forbes
Director Mr. Jakov Sedlar:
The novel “260 Days” is exceptional for a number of reasons. In the opinion of many, it is the best book about the suffering of Croats in the Homeland War, the most authentic as literature. The novel has been printed several times in Croatia, translated into several world languages, and all comments on its literary quality (which is based on the fate of the writer and victim Marijan Gubina) are truly brilliant. This novel has left no one indifferent to all that Marijan and his family went through, so it is not surprising that there have been several ideas to adapt this novel for the screen.
Both I and all my associates (including the latest ones, the Americans, who only recently read the novel), after several discussions, are ready to do everything to finally make a proper, authentic film about the suffering of Croats in the Homeland War. This is also a kind of obligation for our generation, which went through that war and perfectly remembers many details that cannot be forgotten.
The ignorance of these topics, which are crucial for understanding Croatian independence, by Croatian institutions may be saddening, but it will in no way discourage us from our ultimate goal, which is to make a true film that will be watched in Croatia and worldwide.
Director: Jakov Sedlar
Screenplay: Dominik Sedlar
Screenplay Supervisor: Barry Morrow
Film Language: English
Actors: USA, England (Armand Assante, Tim Roth, Sam Hazeldine, Will Godber, Camilla Rutherford, Isabella Dempster, Angelina Molina, Tom Forbes…)
Production: Croatia: 260DAYS d.o.o., Osijek; Croatia film d.o.o., Zagreb; America: Arramis film – Los Angeles
Editing and Post-production: Filmind, Tel Aviv – Israel
Filming Locations: Slavonia – Croatia
Duration: 130 minutes
Film Premiere: January 2025.