On Distant Shores

On Distant Shores

Year: 1958

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: Azerbaijani

Director: Tofig Taghizadeh

WarDramaAction

The film dramatizes the wartime exploits of Azerbaijani guerrilla Mehdi Huseynzadeh, a celebrated figure of World War II, depicting his resistance against Nazi forces across what is now Italy and Slovenia. The title references the distant Adriatic shores where his actions unfolded.

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Timeline & Setting – On Distant Shores (1958)

Explore the full timeline and setting of On Distant Shores (1958). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

World War II era

Set during the height of World War II, with German occupation sweeping across the Balkans and northern Italy. Partisans plot attacks to disrupt supply lines, while collaborators and spies threaten the resistance. The period is defined by clandestine operations, reprisals, and the struggle for survival.

Location

Yugoslavia, Trieste

The story unfolds in WWII-occupied Yugoslavia with episodes in Trieste, where partisan groups operate in secrecy and German forces hold tight control. The setting alternates between urban centers hosting German officers and backcountry camps where rebels plan daring strikes. The landscape reflects a zone of constant danger, sacrifice, and underground resistance.

🪖 War in the Balkans 🏰 German Occupation 🎭 Espionage & Resistance

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:50

Main Characters – On Distant Shores (1958)

Meet the key characters of On Distant Shores (1958), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mehdi Huseynzade a.k.a. Mihajlo

A fearless guerrilla leader who infiltrates German ranks with disguises and carries out daring operations. He is strategic, resourceful, and driven by the partisan cause, while also harboring a longing to return home. His actions are bold but carry personal costs as the war intensifies.

🪖 Guerrilla commander 🕴️ Disguise expert 💔 Romantic tension

Veselin

Mihajlo’s loyal ally and combat partner, a bold and devoted partisan whose friendship anchors their missions. He fights fiercely but is mortal, dying in Mihajlo’s arms during a pivotal moment.

🛡️ Loyal ally ⚔️ Warrior 💔 Tragic fate

Anjelika / Anzhelika

A young, courageous figure who acts as a courier and conscience in the resistance. She passes vital information under pressure and remains caught in a love triangle with Mihajlo.

🎀 Female ally 💌 Information courier 💕 Love triangle

Major Schulz

A suspicious German officer who relentlessly hunts Mihajlo. Their confrontation showcases the cat-and-mouse chase between occupiers and partisans, culminating in a deadly clash.

🎖️ Opponent 🔎 Suspicion ⚔️ Final confrontation

Carranti

An infiltrating spy who dances between loyalty and betrayal within the guerrilla camp. Mihajlo ultimately confronts and eliminates him to protect the mission and its money.

🕵️‍♂️ Spy 💣 Betrayal 🗡️ Retaliation

Ferrero

An Italian businessman who becomes a key figure in securing food and resources for the partisans, illustrating the broader network of wartime support.

💼 Italian businessman 🍝 Resourceful 🛢️ Supply lines

Veselin's Father

A protective elder in the village who shelters Mihajlo and offers quiet support. His home acts as a waypoint in the guerrilla movement, illustrating community risk and courage.

🏡 Village elder 🛡️ Shelter provider 🌾 Community resilience

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:50

Major Themes – On Distant Shores (1958)

Explore the central themes of On Distant Shores (1958), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪖 Guerrilla Warfare

A central thread is the relentless guerrilla campaign waged by Mihajlo and his allies. They improvise, disguise, and strike deep behind enemy lines to disrupt the German war machine and supply chains.

💔 Love & Betrayal

A love triangle forms among Mihajlo, Veselin, and Anzhelika, intertwining personal desire with high-stakes operations. Affection complicates decisions and magnifies the cost of every action.

🕵️‍♂️ Deception & Espionage

Disguises and misdirection are used to outwit German officers, while the spy Carranti infiltrates the guerrilla camp. Truth is often ambiguous, and loyalty is tested by secrets.

⚔️ Sacrifice & Revenge

Friendships are strained to the breaking point as battles and betrayals mount. Key characters pay with their lives, fueling Mihajlo's drive for vengeance against the occupiers.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:50

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On Distant Shores Summary

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On Distant Shores Summary

On Distant Shores Timeline

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On Distant Shores Timeline

More About On Distant Shores

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More About On Distant Shores

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