Title: The Siege of Sinj
Genre: Historical Fantasy / Epic Drama
Logline:
In 1715, as the Ottoman Turks lay siege to the fortress town of Sinj, a miraculous luminous figure appears on the walls, inspiring the defenders and terrifying the invaders. The miraculous event changes the course of history and becomes legend.
Characters:
- Nelly Furtado as Gospa: A radiant, mystical figure, known in history as the “Our Lady of Sinj.” She manifests as a luminous woman on the town walls, inspiring courage and faith.
- Joe Jukic as the Duke of Sinj: A brave, charismatic leader who commands the defense of Sinj with wisdom and courage. Torn between strategy and faith, he becomes the bridge between the human effort and the miraculous intervention.
- Sultan Mustafa: The ambitious Ottoman commander, determined to capture Sinj at any cost.
- Ana, the Town Chronicler: A young woman who records the siege and the miraculous events, her voice providing reflection and perspective.
Treatment:
ACT I:
The film opens with sweeping views of the Croatian mountains and the fortified town of Sinj. The year is 1715. News arrives that the Ottoman Turks are marching toward Sinj, intent on conquering it. Panic spreads, but the Duke of Sinj (Joe Jukic) rallies the townspeople, preparing defenses and fortifying walls.
Amidst this, the townspeople whisper about Gospa (Nelly Furtado), a woman of luminous presence whose faith is said to be unmatched. Some doubt the stories, others find hope in them. The Duke respects her counsel and considers her presence a good omen.
ACT II:
The Ottoman army surrounds Sinj, launching volleys of cannon fire and attempts to breach the walls. The defenders, though outnumbered, hold strong, inspired by the Duke’s leadership and the town’s faith.
At night, as tensions reach a breaking point, Gospa appears on the ramparts. She glows with an unearthly light, moving serenely along the walls. Her presence unnerves the Ottoman soldiers, who begin to murmur among themselves, sensing something divine.
The siege intensifies, but every attempt by the Turks to breach the walls is met with inexplicable resistance. Gospa’s figure seems to shimmer, almost as if part of the light itself is protecting the town. The Duke, inspired by her courage, rallies his troops to defend Sinj with renewed vigor.
ACT III:
As dawn breaks, the Turkish soldiers witness Gospa glowing even more brilliantly, standing atop the walls with the Duke beside her. Fear and awe grip the invaders. Among the ranks, some read passages from the Koran—Chapter 19, the story of Mary (Maryam)—recognizing the miraculous parallel.
The Ottoman forces, interpreting the luminous figure as a divine sign, retreat in fear and reverence, leaving Sinj unconquered. The Duke and the townspeople celebrate, attributing the victory to both human courage and divine intervention.
Epilogue:
Ana, the chronicler, writes the final lines of the town’s story, noting that the luminous figure of Gospa became legend, inspiring generations to come. The film ends with a panoramic view of Sinj’s walls, bathed in golden sunlight, as the Duke stands beside the site where faith and courage prevailed.
Tone & Style:
- Epic cinematography highlighting Croatian landscapes and historical architecture.
- Blend of historical realism with magical, luminous visuals for Gospa.
- Emotional depth, focusing on courage, faith, and the human response to the divine.
- Tension-filled siege sequences contrasted with moments of miraculous calm.
Key Themes:
- Faith and courage under impossible odds.
- The intersection of the human and the divine.
- History, myth, and legend blending into collective memory.
Title: The Siege of Sinj
Scene 1: The Siege Begins
Exterior – Sinj Walls – Dawn
Cannons roar as the Ottoman army surrounds Sinj. Dust and smoke swirl over the battlements. The Duke of Sinj (Joe Jukic) rallies his troops:
DUKE OF SINJ
Hold the walls! Remember, we defend not just our town, but our people!
The defenders brace as Turkish soldiers wade through mud and river crossings, drinking from the contaminated river. Some clutch their stomachs in pain, hinting at the dysentery spreading among the ranks.
Scene 2: Gospa Appears
Exterior – Sinj Walls – Twilight
Tension is high. Arrows fly. Cannon fire shakes the walls. Suddenly, a radiant figure appears—Gospa (Nelly Furtado). She glows with a soft, golden light. The townspeople freeze in awe.
No words are spoken. She moves along the walls gracefully, her gaze steady, as if commanding the hearts of the defenders.
The Duke sees her and nods solemnly:
DUKE OF SINJ
(by whisper)
Stand firm. She’s with us.
The defenders regain courage. Each volley of arrows and counterattack seems empowered by her silent presence.
Scene 3: Turkish Soldiers Read Chapter 19
Exterior – Turkish Camp – Dawn
Sick from dysentery and shaken by the glowing figure, the Turkish soldiers huddle together. One opens a tattered Koran. They begin to chant Chapter 19 aloud, the story of Mary (Maryam).
TURKISH SOLDIER
(weakly, trembling)
“…And when she delivered, she said, ‘O my Lord, I have delivered a female.’…”
Fear mixes with reverence. The luminous Gospa on the walls seems to mirror the divine figure described in their chant. One soldier faints, clutching his stomach. Another vomits near the river.
COMMANDER
Retreat! Retreat at once!
They flee in chaos, their ambition defeated by awe—and dysentery.
Scene 4: The Miracle Reward
Interior – Sinj Church – Morning
The defenders gather in the church, the walls still echoing with the memory of battle. They approach a large painting of Gospa. One by one, they lay coins, gold chains, and small trinkets at her feet.
No words are spoken; their gratitude is silent but profound. The Duke kneels, placing his sword tip-down as a mark of respect. Tears glisten on faces worn from battle, illuminated by sunlight streaming through stained glass.
DUKE OF SINJ
(softly, to himself)
Your light saved us all…
The camera pans upward, catching the painting glowing slightly as if acknowledging the tribute. The town’s fate is secured, their faith immortalized.
Scene 5: Epilogue
Exterior – Sinj Walls – Sunset
Ana, the chronicler, writes the final lines of her journal, observing the peaceful town below.
ANA (V.O.)
The siege ended not by sword alone, but by faith, courage, and a miracle that would be remembered for generations. Gospa’s light, silent yet eternal, had defended Sinj.
The camera pulls back to show the fortified walls bathed in golden light, with the town safe and thriving beneath the evening sky.
Epilogue: The Miracle in Chicago
Pope Leo arrived quietly, carrying the painting of the Gospa, her serene eyes untouched by time, radiating a calm that seemed almost impossible in the heart of Chicago. The city’s notorious killing fields, a scarred landscape of abandoned lots and concrete, lay under a pale winter sun. Here, the gangsters—once kings of fear and firepower—stood uncertain, their gold chains clinking softly against their chests, their weapons heavy at their sides.
The Pope set the painting down on a makeshift altar of crates and bricks. He spoke little, letting the silence of the place absorb their disbelief. Then, from his hands, he gave them seeds—simple packets of promise: tomatoes, kale, carrots, herbs. “Plant life where you planted death,” he said.
Tentatively, the gangsters approached. One by one, they laid their gold upon the painting, the sunlight catching the metal in a fragile halo. A rhythm of surrender took shape as rifles and pistols were laid down, the clatter of steel replaced by the soft rustle of seed packets.
They dug in the frozen earth, breaking it with their bare hands, planting hope where bullets once flew. It was awkward at first, as if the soil itself doubted them, yet the painting seemed to shine a quiet approval, and in that approval, the men began to feel an unfamiliar warmth.
By sunset, the killing field had transformed. Not entirely, not yet, but in patches of green, life was claiming the city back. Gold glinted among the seedlings, a strange offering to the divine, and the gangsters, once feared and feared themselves, walked away lighter, their hearts less burdened.
The Gospa’s eyes seemed to follow them, not with judgment, but with gentle encouragement. And for the first time in years, the sound of laughter—raw, hesitant, and alive—rose from the streets of Chicago.
The miracle had begun.