Elephant Boy (1937) Review: The Good, The Bad & How to Watch British Film, Adventure Venice Film Festival, 1937- 2 wins including: Best Director National Board of Review, 1937- Winner: Top Foreign Films Long before CGI could conjure up entire jungles at the click of a button, cinema had to rely on the real deal. In 1937, Robert Flaherty and Zoltan Korda teamed up to deliver Elephant Boy , an adventure film that stands as a fascinating bridge between raw documentary realism and classic Hollywood storytelling. More on Wikipedia or Mubi The Raw Magic of Elephant Boy The movie is adapted from "Toomai of the Elephants," a short story out of Rudyard Kipling’s iconic The Jungle Book . It follows a young, spirited Indian boy who dreams of becoming a great hunter, just like his father and grandfather before him. When a massive elephant hunt is organized, Toomai sets out to prove his worth, forming an unbreakable bond with a legendary, giant elephant named Kala Nag. W...
About Srećko Karić (Feliks)
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About Srećko Karić (Feliks)
Srećko Karić is a Croatian war veteran who volunteered at 18 for the Domovinski rat (Croatian War of Independence 1991-1995.), joining the 132nd Brigade in Našice and later the elite military unit- Prva gardijska brigada "Tigrovi" (The First Brigade "Tigers") in Zagreb.
He was wounded three times during the conflict, most severely during Operation Una ’95. As a result, he carries multiple shrapnel pieces in his body, including in his lungs, face, hand, leg, and limbs, and has vision loss in one eye. He endured five years of rehabilitation and persevered through immense challenges. From. 2000. has early military retirement as sergeant major, holders of multiple medals. "Operacija Bljesak", "Operacija Oluja", "Tulove grede", "Una 95", there are only some military operations in which he participated.
What he does now
Advocate & Speaker: Karić shares his testimony at religious, youth, and cultural events—emphasizing faith, resilience, and the importance of unity. He frequently speaks on topics like collective memory, trauma, and national identity.
Artist & Creator: He's turned his wartime experience and personal trauma into art—writing books (main collaborator and promotor- "Preživio sam Vukovar i Ovčaru" book by Vilim Karlović), composing music, producing theatre and documentary films. He has produced educational content such as the play "Priča o školskoj torbi", a YouTube/podcast initiative, and a short documentary series like “Veteranski uspjeh” and “14 prepreka”. >>>Srećko Karić- Music<<< >>> Srećko Karić- Films <<< He was working in a production (Studio dim) of Croatian feature films "Moj dida je pao s Marsa" (My Dad is an Alien) and "Aleksi"
Fitness Instructor: Karić trained as a personal and strength coach—he now helps other veterans and civilians through disciplined health and training programs.
He is active within the Braniteljski centar za društveni razvoj (BCDR)—a veteran socio‑cultural association—participating in educational workshops, public talks, and collaborative events with schools and youth groups
Also, he was working at psychiatrical hospital with his program "Rehabilitacija duha, duše i tijela" (Spirit, Soul and Body program) as a part of a psychotherapy program.
In his own words: key themes from interviews
He called his trauma “nuclear energy”—a source of spiritual fuel that he channels into creative and civic work
He reflects that if it weren’t for the army, he might have ended up on a darker path: “vojska je od mene napravila gospodina” (the army made a gentleman of me)
On the emotional nature of veterans: “Heroji su izuzetno emotivni ljudi, ali ne smiju pokazati slabost”—heroes are deeply emotional, but can’t show weakness. He encourages young people to live as the “kin of the time,” serving their communities and preserving truth.
The Croatian documentary TV series “Priče o veteranskom uspjehu” (“Stories of Veterans’ Success”) profiles former veterans of the Croatian War of Independence who have overcome trauma and transformed their lives into stories of resilience, positive impact, and success.
It ran in 2016, produced by HOMMAGE for HRT (Croatian Radiotelevision), with six episodes, each focusing on a different theme and group of veterans.
The series is guided by Srećko Karić, a veteran, author and co-writer, and directed by Biljana Čakić, with production led by Darija Kulenović Gudan, Marina Andree Škop, and Petar Milić under editor Darko Dovranić.
In short, Priče o veteranskom uspjehu
shines a light on how war veterans transformed their wartime
experiences into meaningful contributions in peacetime—through sports,
community, art, leadership, and personal perseverance.
Here’s a quick look at the episode themes:
“Maratonci” (Marathoners): Croatian veterans who run the ultramarathon from Vukovar to Srebrenica as a tribute and a way to deal with war trauma
“Sportaši do kraja” (Athletes to the End): Veterans who became athletes or coaches, focusing on how sport helped them heal physically and mentally
“Zadrugari” (Cooperative Members): Veterans working in cooperative businesses to support each other and contribute to local economy
“Vitezovi u ratu, branitelji u miru” (Knights in War, Defenders in Peace): Veterans who served early on and now serve society as activists, doctors, or leaders
“Heroine Domovinskog rata” (Homeland War Heroines): Stories of women veterans who made important contributions during the war and found success today
“Umjetnici” (Artists): Veteran musicians, writers, actors who used creative expression—some even armed themselves during the war—to boost morale and preserve memory through art
The documentary “14 prepreka” (English: “14 Barriers”) is a Croatian film directed by Srećko Karić, focusing on the life of Marijan Almaš, a Croatian war veteran and military invalid. It explores Almaš’s personal journey as he navigates the physical and mental challenges following his injury during the war.
The film premiered in Osijek on March 13, 2018, in a pastoral space at the Osijek Vicarate, organized by the Association of Catholic Intellectuals and the Institute for New Evangelization “St. John Paul II.” . It delves into themes of resilience, faith, and the societal and personal obstacles a wounded veteran faces during post-war reintegration.
“Pusti majko svoga sina” is a Croatian patriotic song performed by Blanka Došen and Srećko Karić, created in 2023 as part of the “Priča o školskoj torbi” educational and cultural project by Ekonomska škola “Braća Radić” in Đakovo.
The song is a tribute to Croatian war veterans and a reflection on the sacrifice of both soldiers and their families during the Homeland War (Domovinski rat).
It reflects not on trauma but on humanity, resilience, cultural memory, and instills values of social sensitivity, forgiveness, and future orientation.
The tone is warm and sincere, blending poetic tribute with musical simplicity and emotional depth, in the spirit of classics like “Moja Domovina” that carry national significance.
🎬 Background & origins
Written by Vjekoslav Režić, inspired by veteran Srećko Karić’s wartime experience.
Performed by Blanka Došen, a respected folk/tambura artist awarded a Porin, whose voice brings gravity and warmth to the narrative with Srećko Karić.
The project is part of a broader artistic initiative involving theatre, monologue, short film, and documentary elements to engage young generations in creative remembrance and cultural activism.
Why it matters
Its significance lies in its role as both a musical tribute and educational tool, bridging memory of Croatia’s recent past with artistic expression and youth engagement. It's designed to honor and empower rather than evoke pain.
“Priča o školskoj torbi” is a scholastic documentary-theatre project, not a stage‑company play. It's centered on students interpreting real wartime experiences—especially of Srećko Karić—through research, dramatic performance, music, and field visits. The objective is educational: building moral values, historical awareness, and creative expression.
The story is autobiographical, drawing from Srećko Karić’s experiences as a minor in the Homeland War, told through dramatic and funny storytelling and music (including a song “Pusti majko svoga sina” performed by Karić himself and Blanka Došen).
It’s not a fictional play but a documentary‑theatre piece combining testimony, drama, and creative interpretation to inspire youth connection to national history. ✏️ Why It Matters
It bridges school curriculum and local history, using creative arts to communicate the emotional legacy of war and personal sacrifice.
Encourages active student participation, creative learning, and community engagement rooted in cultural memory.
Conceived by retired Croatian war veteran Srećko Karić in partnership with pedagogue Natalija Silađev, this project blends arts, drama, and documentary elements to pass on memory and civic values. Its aim is to engage students in creative expression (drama, film, performance) while exploring patriotic, humanitarian, and faith-based themes, and fostering resilience and social awareness among youth.
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