New animated film about Dražen Petrović set to premiere

• by croatiaweek
• February 3, 2025
• in

  Entertainment

One of Croatia’s greatest athletes of all time, baseball legend Dražen Petrović, has been the subject of several books, and more recently, a feature film.

Now, author Frano Petruša has completed a long-anticipated animated film titled Dječak (The Boy), created as a continuation of the educational comic of the same name.

Dražen Petrović is not only a Croatian sporting icon but also a global legend. His personality continues to inspire generations—evoking nostalgia and admiration in older fans while serving as motivation for young people, regardless of whether they play sports or not.

“The way we portrayed Dražen’s story in the animated film shows children that success doesn’t require much—just persistence in what you love. There’s no secret formula. If you have talent, it’s all about dedication and the spark inside you. Even today, when people look back at that time and those games, his passion still shines through,” Dječak‘s creator, Frano Petruša, told HRT.

(Photo: Dražen Petrović Museum and Memorial Centre)

The animated film Dječak also delivers its powerful message through its artistic style, embracing the idea that in today’s digital age, sometimes less is more.

“The film was created in classic 2D animation to introduce children to traditional cartoons. Today, they are used to modern digital production, but here, they will see just a hand and paper,” Petruša explained.

“These are the solid foundations of animation. The entire Zagreb School of Animated Film was built on these principles—simple drawings brought to life, with the primary focus on the message,” he added.

The film follows Dražen’s early sporting journey in his hometown of Šibenik, his morning training sessions before school, and the sources of his inspiration and motivation. His dedication, love, and perseverance continue to amaze people today.

The premiere of Dječak is expected soon, coinciding with the completion of renovations at the Dražen Petrović Museum and Memorial Centre.

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