You Love Only Once

You Love Only Once

1981 · 103 min · ★ 6.2 · Drama, Romance

Tomislav is a former Partizan who continues his struggle after the war as a dedicated member of Tito's secret police. He meets and falls in love with a ballet dancer from a bourgeois family. His love affair with the class enemy and his slow adaptation to the post-war realities could seal his doom.

Directed by Rajko Grlić · Written by Rajko Grlić

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 22m together

You Love Only Once

Petria's Wreath

Both from Rajko Grlić.

More from Rajko GrlićSee all →

Croatia 2000 - Who Wants to Be a PresidentCroatia 2000 - Who Wants to Be a President · 2001
Croatia 2000 - Who Wants to Be a President
10.02001
MovieDocumentary
"Croatia 2000 - Who Wants To Be A President" is a feature-length documentary film about dramatic political events that occurred in the period between the death of Croatian president Franjo Tudjman and the victory of Stipe Mesić in the presidential elections. Incessantly following (sometimes with ten cameras) the most influential figures in Croatian political life, cameras witnessed the moments of their biggest battle, their greatest victory and crushing defeat, and days of great strain, passion and political combat.
Us from PragueUs from Prague · 1971
Us from Prague
9.01971
MovieDocumentary
Students from the Prague Academy of Film (FAMU) talk about their life in Prague. Filmed in Prague in 1968, a few months before the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia.
ZagrebZagreb · 1982
Zagreb
9.01982
MovieDocumentary
The film tries to capture the spirit of Zagreb, which makes it different from other places. What is shown is usual, everyday stuff, yet new in the life of this city.
All Eat Each OtherAll Eat Each Other · 1971
All Eat Each Other
9.01971
MovieDrama
A time for sowing and a time for a marriage followed by everyday struggle and change of seasons. Chicken feed on the seeds of plowed fields, man eats chicked, life eats man... In front of a fixed eye the cycle of life evolves.
JosephineJosephine · 2000
Josephine
8.52000
MovieDrama
Misadventures of a hapless young man from rural Bohemia who, in 1991, is finally free to cross newly open borders.
It All Ends HereIt All Ends Here · 2024
It All Ends Here
8.02024
MovieThrillerRomance
Maks is a brilliant lawyer who has been serving for years one of Croatia’s most powerful and ruthless businessmen, who made his fortune in the aftermath of the Balkan War. Maks’ latest service has been to have his client declared innocent of the murder of two of his workers for acting in self-defense. But the sudden appearance of a former girlfriend triggers a crisis of conscience in Maks, leading him to confront his employer and risk his life by uncovering a dense network of corruption at the highest level involving all branches of the State.
Drinking Water and Freedom IIIDrinking Water and Freedom III · 1999
Drinking Water and Freedom III
8.01999
MovieDocumentary
The film Drinking Water and Freedom was made in 1973. It was only one minute long. The review commission for films from Socialist Republic of Croatia prohibited it from public screening. Its sequel, Drinking Water and Freedom II, was made in 1986. It tells the story of the fate of its predecessor and at the same time details what happened with a well and a stone plaque, the objects that had caused its ban. In 1998, Drinking Water and Freedom III was made, a third instalment and a continuation of the story about water, freedom and the well.
Petria's WreathPetria's Wreath · 1980
Petria's Wreath
7.21980
MovieDrama
This film takes place in a small mining town in Serbia, within a time span covering the prewar, war, and postwar period. A story about tragic life of an illiterate woman from village, about her life with three men she loved. Her life, torn between dreams and reality, is a life of suffering, loneliness, disappointment, hope and love.
Social GameSocial Game · 1972
Social Game
7.01972
MovieDrama
Director of this movie gave an advertisement in many Yugoslav papers calling everybody who wants to act in movie regardless of age, look or profession to reply. From 7000 arrived letters, about 30 heroes were picked up for the movie and its story was made based on what they wished to play.
The Border PostThe Border Post · 2006
The Border Post
7.02006
MovieComedyDrama
At a small border-post on the Yugoslav-Albanian border, yet another generation of soldiers suffering the usual amount of boredom awaits the end of their service, counting days to the moment when they should take their uniforms off for good. It is the spring of 1987 and the thought never even crosses their mind that they would, in fact, put them back on quite soon and go to war.
Special EducationSpecial Education · 1977
Special Education
6.81977
MovieDrama
Educator and those educated in a home for juvenile delinquents in the same test: approach, take a peek into his soul to become a man. The story of a minor, neglected boys-offenders and their teachers who try to reject the old methods of rehabilitation.
The Unpicked StrawberriesThe Unpicked Strawberries · 1976
The Unpicked Strawberries
6.61976
SeriesComedyDrama
Grlom u jagode is a 1975 Yugoslavian TV miniseries directed by Srđan Karanović and co-written by Karanović and Rajko Grlić. Depicting the life and times of a young man nicknamed Bane Bumbar, the series achieved huge popularity throughout SFR Yugoslavia. Revolving around Bane, his family, and his circle of friends, the series also portrays 1960s Belgrade, Serbia and Yugoslavia.
The ConstitutionThe Constitution · 2016
The Constitution
6.52016
MovieDramaComedy
Four very different people live in the same building but avoid each other because of differences in how they live their lives, what they believe in, and where they come from. They would probably never exchange a word, but misfortune pushes them towards each other. Their lives entangle in ways that profoundly challenge deep-held beliefs and prejudices surrounding material status, sexual orientation, nationality and religion. Slowly, and even painfully, they begin to open up to each other and recognize the essential humanity each of them possesses.
Bravo MaestroBravo Maestro · 1978
Bravo Maestro
6.51978
MovieDrama
A young man who long ago gave over the hard work of being a composer for the easy life of a rich man's son is bamboozled into slapping together a musical production. Having borrowed right and left, and plagiarized the works of a friend, he feels cheap, very cheap. He feels even worse when the awful thing is a success.
Three for HappinessThree for Happiness · 1985
Three for Happiness
6.41985
MovieRomanceDrama
A pretty factory girl falls for an ex con. He's still in love with his ex wife. Love triangle soon becomes even larger.
In the Jaws of LifeIn the Jaws of Life · 1984
In the Jaws of Life
6.31984
MovieComedyDrama
Two parallel tales about two modern women. One is Štefica Cvek, average and lonely girl who desperately tries to find the man of her dreams. The other story is about a woman director who is making the movie about Štefica and has the same problem.

More Like This

Man of MarbleMan of Marble · 1977
Man of Marble
7.01977
MovieDrama
A young Polish filmmaker sets out to find out what happened to Mateusz Birkut, a bricklayer who became a propaganda hero in the 1950s but later fell out of favor and disappeared.
Modern TimesModern Times · 1936
Modern Times
8.31936
MovieComedyDrama
A bumbling tramp desires to build a home with a young woman, yet is thwarted time and time again by his lack of experience and habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time...
The Unbearable Lightness of BeingThe Unbearable Lightness of Being · 1988
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
6.81988
MovieDramaRomance
Successful surgeon Tomas leaves Prague for an operation, meets a young photographer named Tereza, and brings her back with him. Tereza is surprised to learn that Tomas is already having an affair with the bohemian Sabina, but when the Soviet invasion occurs, all three flee to Switzerland. Sabina begins an affair, Tom continues womanizing, and Tereza, disgusted, returns to Czechoslovakia. Realizing his mistake, Tomas decides to chase after her.
KolyaKolya · 1996
Kolya
7.41996
MovieDramaComedy
After a fictitious marriage with a Russian emigrant, Cellisten Louka, a Czech man, must suddenly take responsibility for her son. However, it’s not long before the communication barrier is broken between the two new family members.
Animal FarmAnimal Farm · 1999
Animal Farm
5.71999
MovieDramaComedy
Animals on a farm lead a revolution against the farmers to put their destiny in their own hands. However this revolution eats their own children and they cannot avoid corruption.
The Lives of OthersThe Lives of Others · 2006
The Lives of Others
8.02006
MovieDramaThriller
In 1984 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler begins spying on a famous playwright and his actress-lover Christa-Maria. Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, and faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria.
The Last EmperorThe Last Emperor · 1987
The Last Emperor
7.61987
MovieDramaHistory
A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.
My Brother Is an Only ChildMy Brother Is an Only Child · 2007
My Brother Is an Only Child
6.72007
MovieComedyDrama
Accio and Manrico are siblings from a working-class family in 1960s Italy: older Manrico is handsome, charismatic, and loved by all, while younger Accio is sulky, hot-headed, and treats life as a battleground — much to his parents' chagrin. After the former is drawn into left-wing politics, Accio joins the fascists out of spite, but his flimsy beliefs are put to test when he falls for Manrico's like-minded girlfriend.
The DreamersThe Dreamers · 2003
The Dreamers
7.22003
MovieDramaRomance
When Isabelle and Theo invite Matthew to stay with them, what begins as a casual friendship ripens into a sensual voyage of discovery and desire in which nothing is off limits and everything is possible.
The Killing FieldsThe Killing Fields · 1984
The Killing Fields
7.51984
MovieDramaHistory
New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg is on assignment covering the Cambodian Civil War, with the help of local interpreter Dith Pran and American photojournalist Al Rockoff. When the U.S. Army pulls out amid escalating violence, Schanberg makes exit arrangements for Pran and his family. Pran, however, tells Schanberg he intends to stay in Cambodia to help cover the unfolding story — a decision he may regret as the Khmer Rouge rebels move in.
19001900 · 1976
1900
7.81976
MovieDramaHistory
The epic tale of a class struggle in twentieth century Italy, as seen through the eyes of two childhood friends on opposing sides.
Strawberry and ChocolateStrawberry and Chocolate · 1993
Strawberry and Chocolate
7.01993
MovieComedyDrama
In 1979 Cuba, flamboyant gay artist Diego attempts to seduce straitlaced David, an idealistic young communist, and fails dismally. But David conspires to be "friends" with Diego so he can monitor the artist's subversive life for the state. As Diego and David discuss politics, individuality and personal expression in Castro's Cuba, a genuine friendship develops between the two.
Citizen XCitizen X · 1995
Citizen X
7.21995
MovieCrimeDrama
Based on the true story of a Russian serial killer who, over many years, claimed victim to over 50 people. His victims were mostly under the age of 17. In what was then a communists state, the police investigations were hampered by bureaucracy, incompetence and those in power. The story is told from the viewpoint of the detective in charge of the case.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter