Story

About the movie team

Our production brings together film experts with many years of domestic and international experience. Together with them, actors and film technicians gathered with great enthusiasm and love for film art.

We have extensive experience in feature and short feature films, documentaries, sitcoms and soap operas, commercials, music videos and animated films (national and international).

Our decision was, when we got together under the name Betlem, Confusion and Croatia for Life, to work with great enthusiasm on this film that will build, enrich and encourage viewers to reflect on the essential realities of life.

We sincerely hope that after we have completed this project, we will continue to create similar works of art as a film family and as business partners.

About the movie “Hunting Tesla“

Controversial director Michael Bruni after signing the contract of his career with Hollywood’s producers, experiences several unexpected events that will affect his new film project „Hunting Tesla“ and also to his already strained relations with spouse and children, his co-workers and the public.

But, one moment from the past could be liberating.

Genre: Drama (with elements of comedy and action)

Time: Modern

Locations: Croatia (Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik) and abroad (New York, London)

Hunting Tesla (the movie within a film):

Failed scientist Dr. John Baltasar gets the chance of a lifetime after it lands before his eyes the Nikola Tesla’s lost invention which is worth billion-dollar. Baltasar wants a new attempt, but one pharmaceutical company, one mercenary army and petty usurers will try in every way steal from him Tesla’s revolutionary invention for the treatment of malignant diseases.

Watch the unofficial teaser

Operational goals

Goals for Croatia

• Screen the movie in theaters and auditoriums (50+ cities, 50+ smaller towns)
• Screen the movie on television (3+)
• Private screenings with thematic discussions about the role of film art (10+)

Goals for other countries

• Screen the movie in theaters through official distributors and exhibitors (10+ countries)
• Submit the movie to international film festivals (7+)
• Special screenings for croatians in the diaspora (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, USA, Australia)
• Screen the movie on television (10+)

The word of initiator and director Ante Čaljkušić

You are participating in a project that will not only mark the next year and then be forgotten. You are participating in a project that will mark the lives of viewers. I have always aimed to make a purposeful film, and thus a film that will be discussed for weeks after watching.

Supporting this project with a donation is important. I know it may not seem tangible at first, like, for example, helping a family repair a roof that has collapsed. This project will act preventively, it will address the cause and thus prevent various negative consequences.

It is a secular film, not a religious or activist film. But it is imbued with Christian thought. This story will surely encourage viewers to think about the dignity of human life, fatherhood and motherhood and the power of forgiveness.

It will thrill people with different perspectives on the world. How do I know? It’s evident from the reactions of those who work on the film or those to whom I have sent the plot summary or the entire screenplay for review.

Ambassador’s word

This movie’s story is decided by the values that I personally stand for. The power of forgiveness, raising children, the dignity of each individual, the view of success, the winning attitude are themes that are very skillfully set in the story. I encourage everyone to support this film venture.

Gordan Kožulj, world champion swimmer and entrepreneur

To make it to the top, it is important to have talent, discipline and a strong will. The film crew led by Ante Čaljkušić shows this by leaving a river of sweat on the film set. I have no doubts about the success and quality of the film.

Ivana Habazin, world boxing champion

A word from an expert

In the flood of films that on the one hand show empty spectacles with confused heroes and on the other a dark picture of the world without light, meaning and hope, Ante Čaljkušić embarks on a film project that should send the message that there is a medicine for the “…” that gives strength even in the most difficult moments of life. From the bottom of my heart, I wish him to succeed – not only to collect money, but also to send the right message that will encourage and empower us for life, because that was the basic function of art from its beginnings, which today has been thrown out of the canon and we miss it very much.

Ph.D. Sanja Nikčević, full professor in miro, theater researcher and theater critic.

Croatia desperately needs original, modern and high-quality films, unencumbered by the past. How to bring the audience back to the cinemas in a different way? How to tell an audience that has been served all the world’s best film productions, whether they are artistic, whether they are entertainment and commercial, to come to the cinema to watch a Croatian film? Well, precisely by doing our best and recording what is good, what has lasting value, what history will write about. That is why it is good and necessary to support this venture. It is important to give support to someone who, it is visible, sincerely tries and sincerely wants to do the right thing.

Boris Stanić, academic professor and sound master (worked on Star Wars, King Arthur)

Until now, as a journalist, I have not encountered, as far as Church circles are concerned, a quality story for a feature film. I am glad that I personally participated in creating this work of lasting value that will surely “sparkle like Nikola Tesla flashed and still shines”. I’m quoting a line from a character in this movie because I think this movie can really work. It is up to us journalists to give all the support and accompany this undertaking in the best possible way.

Diana Tikvić, journalist

About the plot

This atypical family drama with elements of comedy and action follows the controversial Croatian director Mihael Bruni in making his dream come true, signing a film contract with the leading American producers, the O’Neil brothers.

Mihael announces the film “Hunting Tesla” about Nikola Tesla’s lost invention, a cure for malignant diseases.

While his dream is coming true, his relationship with his daughter Mara and son Jakov, as well as his former colleague and noisy mother Đurđica, is being disrupted, and he and his wife Nikolina are going through suffering from the past and a new circumstance.

His close friend, manager and lawyer Đivo, ill-intentioned producer Dorijan Dresling revolve around Mihael, and the public follows Mihael’s private and business life live through social networks and interactive reality.

At one point, he experiences an unexpected circumstances that call everything into question, and one moment from the past could have a liberating effect.

The adventure will be continued

This film marks the beginning of a new phase in Croatian cinematography. In Croatia, there are almost no feature films financed with private funds. Most film projects are financed from the state budget. Seeing a lot of good sides of this financing model, we dared to independently raise funds for the recording of a feature film.

We care very much that after this venture we continue to realize others, hoping that our films and works of art will ennoble and build viewers by encouraging them to think about important life topics.

Incorporate yourself

Be part of a work that, even years after your death, will save someone’s life or marriage.

Be part of a film that will positively impact a generation.

Be part of art that will refine and build people up.

Together with professional actors and film technicians, turn a new page in film history! 😀

Take the plunge with us and become a producer with your financial support!

Choose the amount with which you want to incorporate yourself, and as a sign of gratitude, we will send you an original gift as a memory of this undertaking.

We hope that you will recognize the importance of the family movie art and that you will give with fullness and pure joy in your heart.

Where are we now?

We are halfway through, which means we have completed pre-production and 90% of production, which includes 90% of the footage shot.

We are now raising funds for the remaining two blocks of filming and paying off the debt from the previous block. After that, we will move on to a long, demanding, and expensive post-production phase, which includes editing and graphic animations.

We managed to secure 160 000,00 euros and we still need 172 000,00 euros.

Donation

We invite you to donate our (and your’s) project from your heart. Not from surplus, but everyone as much as they really can. That’s why we have the same name for each category of donation.

We give you two names: “Protector of children and families” and “Initiator of a new film phase”

Comments of Church authorities on the fruits of the work so far to the members of many teams coordinated by Ante Čaljkušić

Your testimony of love is a gift to the world… I encourage you and bless you with every blessing.

Pope Francis

Mr. Ante has been blessed with a sense of humor, creativity, and a big heart by the Lord. The teams he has formed have achieved great results. And I believe that this film team will surprise us all with a movie that will exceed our expectations.

Vlado Košić, Bishop of Sisak

I have been following Ante’s work and the endeavors of his “crazy” team for a decade now. Gathering 100 new people in such a short time and starting to shoot the film “Hunting Tesla” without a budget… and film scenes that require more preparation and more money is something “crazy”. Typical in Ante’s style. And they succeeded. The second part of the job is now up to us, to materially support the realization of the undertaking which, as Ante says, will save people’s lives and change people’s hearts even after our death.

Don Damir Stojić, parish priest of the Holy Spirit parish

Contact

Organization and production: NGO Croatia for Life / Betlem production, Confusion production
Address: Kajfešov brijeg 12, Zagreb, Croatia / Stubička 93, Zagreb, Croatia
Representative: Ante Čaljkušić
PIN: 43502680110 / 43024228128
E-mail: aantezg@gmail.com
Mobile: +385 (0)99 883 2760
Website: https://hrvatskazazivot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ante.caljkusic.79  / https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063980585988