Queen of the Night

Summer 1968. The Croatian town of Osijek on the river Drava is completely unaware of events shaking the world and, indeed, the rest of Yugoslavia. A “Welcome Tito Rowing Competition” is being organised which is to be inaugurated by the man himself. Seventeen-year-old Tomo is expected to become a hero as Osijek’s best rower and all-around athlete. The rather shy boy spends all his time training, especially since he’s none too successful with the girls. But no one knows that he suffers from serious health problems, something he’s long been hiding, even from his doctors. Tomo ends up in the hospital after a sudden attack, and his participation in the race is seriously threatened. Local organisers, Party officials above all, are willing to use every means at their disposal to get the young man into his skiff so he can win. They plead with the doctors and health workers, but mainly with the unhappy Tomo himself. The situation becomes unbearable when they arrest his father before his very eyes on suspicion of political disloyalty. On the day in question Marshal Tito’s Blue Train approaches Osijek, but it merely passes through. All those who have come to meet the train catch the barest glimpse of the sleeve of his uniform and his white-gloved hand waving from the window.