Whites Wash at Ninety

by Marko Naberšnik

Belo se pere na devetdeset, 2025, fiction, 144 min
Finished

SI, IT, HR, RS, ME, MK

"Whites Wash at Ninety" is a touching and inspiring story about the life of Bronja Žakelj, as we follow her through three distinct periods of her life. In her childhood, she enjoys exploring the world with her younger brother Rok and finds comfort in her grandmother Dada. However, her carefree life is shattered when she learns of her mother's death from cancer, which marks the first time she comes face to face with the cruelty of death. As she grows up, Bronja struggles with learning difficulties and becomes more interested in boys. At the end of her teenage years, she is diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, but she manages to overcome the disease with unwavering determination. However, tragedy strikes again when her brother Rok dies in a fatal climbing accident. Despite the pain and heartache, Bronja slowly begins to trust again and finds love with a boy named Blaž. The film ends with the birth of her first child, and we see a happy and content Bronja, finally at peace with her life. "White Wash at Ninety" is based on real-life events and is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The film chronicles Bronja's journey of growth, healing, and personal transformation, offering hope and inspiration to viewers everywhere.

based on the book by
Bronja Žakelj
screenwriters
Marko Naberšnik, Bronja Žakelj
co-writer
Maja Todorović
script consultants
Aleš Pavlin, Barbara Zemljič
director
Marko Naberšnik
producers
Aleš Pavlin, Andrej Štritof
co-producers
Giorgio Milocco, Michele Codarin, Barnaba Lupo, Ankica Jurić Tilić, Adrijana Prugovečki, Nikolina Vučetić-Zečević, Tomi Salkovski, Kristijan Burovski, Miljan Vučelić
associate producer
László Kántor
director of photography
Maks Sušnik
music composer
Luca Ciut
film editor
Milica Jelača
production designer
Maja Moravec
costume designer
Nadja Bedjanič
key make-up artists
Anita Ferčak, Jasmina Lililić
sound designer
Francesco Morosini

featuring
Lea Cok, Anica Dobra, Jurij Zrnec, Tjaša Železnik, Žiga Šorli, Mei Rabič, Jaka Mehle, Vladimir Tintor, Iva Krajnc Bagola, Saša Tabaković, Jure Rajšp, Polona Juh, Blaž Dolenc, Gorka Berden, Alenka Kraigher, Lucija Ostan Vejrup, Tina Resman, Živa Selan, Vesna Slapar, Alenka Tetičkovič

production
Perfo
co-production
Quasar Film, Kinorama, Biberche, Black Cat Production, Protos Film
in collaboration with
Film Studio Viba Film
co-funding
Slovenian Film Centre, Regional audiovisual fund Friuli Venezia Giulia, Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission - FVG, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Film Center Serbia, North Macedonia Film Agency, Film Centre od Montenegro, Eurimages, POP TV

Perfo
Aleš Pavlin
ales.pavlin@perfo.si

Marko Naberšnik is accomplished Slovenian director with a master's degree from the Academy of theatre, radio, film, and television. His debut film, Rooster's Breakfast, is the third most-watched Slovenian film of all time. His previous films, Rooster's Breakfast and Sanghai Gypsy, were both adapted from well-known Slovenian books, making him the perfect candidate for adapting "Whites Wash at Ninety" to the big screen.

“I approach this project with the utmost respect for the gravity of the subject matter. The novel is the best-selling book of the Slovenian publishing house Beletrina. It has been translated into Croatian, Italian, Macedonian, and Bulgarian, with new translations in the making. But when talking about the reasons for the realization of the project, it is necessary to forget about the success of the book. I first read the novel in 2018 when it was published by the Beletrina publishing house. In the beginning, it was just a novel by an unknown writer. At the time, we had no idea of the immense success of the book that would follow, but still, the story made a strong impression on me. Growing up in the 70s, facing illness, the breakup of Yugoslavia, fear of death, and looking for a bright spot in complete darkness... I completely identified with the writer's experience. I myself grew up in the 70s. Due to a rare blood disease, from the age of six until reaching adulthood, I faced illness, visits to hospitals, paleness, and fatigue. Many times the reaction of those around me was, "He won't make it." Bronja's story is a universal one. It is about the fragility of life, the power of hope, and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a story that needs to be told, not only in Slovenia but all over the world. That's why I decided to adapt it for the screen. I see this film as an opportunity to create a work that will resonate with people who have experienced illness or loss.”

Zlata Rola Award largest number of viewers in Slovenian cinema distribution (ZDSFU - Zveza društev slovenskih filmskih ustvarjalcev, 2026) , 2 Zlata Rola Award awards (, 2025) , Golden Mimosa best role (Montenegro Film Festival, 2025)