Once Brothers

Once Brothers

Dreams brought them together. Reality tore them apart.

2010 · 79 min · ★ 7.4 · Documentary

Drazen Petrovic and Vlade Divac were two friends who grew up together sharing the common bond of basketball. Together, they lifted the Yugoslavian National team to unimaginable heights. After conquering Europe, they both went to USA where they became the first two foreign players to attain NBA stardom. But with the fall of the Soviet Union on Christmas Day 1991, Yugoslavia split up. A war broke out between Petrovic's Croatia and Divac's Serbia. Long buried ethnic tensions surfaced. And these two men, once brothers, were now on opposite sides of a deadly civil war. As Petrovic and Divac continued to face each other on the basketball courts of the NBA, no words passed between the two. Then, on the fateful night of June 7, 1993, Drazen Petrovic was killed in an auto accident. This film will tell the gripping tale of these men, how circumstances beyond their control tore them apart, and whether Divac has ever come to terms with the death of a friend before they had a chance to reconcile.

Directed by Michael Tolajian · Written by Michael Tolajian

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Cast

Vlade Divac Himself
Dražen Petrović Himself (archive footage)
Kenny Anderson Himself
Larry Bird Himself

Make it a double feature

2h 47m together

Once Brothers

The Year of the Yao

Both from Michael Tolajian.

More from Michael TolajianSee all →

We Beat the Dream Team

We Beat the Dream Team · 2025

We Beat the Dream Team

MovieDocumentary

Discover the little-known story of a group of college basketball players who were tasked with preparing Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan and the rest of the legendary "Dream Team" for their Olympic debut in 1992.

30 for 30

30 for 30 · 2009

SeriesDocumentary

30 for 30 is the title for a series of documentary films airing on ESPN, its sister networks, and online highlighting interesting people and events in sports history. This currently includes four "volumes" of 30 episodes each, a 13-episode series under the ESPN Films Presents title in 2011–2012, and a series of 30 for 30 Shorts shown through the ESPN.com website. The series has also expanded to include Soccer Stories, which aired in advance of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and audio podcasts. This entry refers to the main Volumes of the series presented by ESPN

A Jersey Tale

A Jersey Tale · 2004

MovieComedyCrime

Jersey City teen Ray Ray Morales is wasting time in a low paying job until a local loan shark offers him a job — making sure that Ray Ray's friend, an immigrant pawnbroker makes his weekly payments.

The Year of the Yao

The Year of the Yao · 2004

The Year of the Yao

MovieDocumentary

The Year of the Yao is a documentary film telling the first year of basketball player Yao Ming in the United States.

Q Ball

MovieDocumentary

Across the Bay from the NBA champion Golden State Warriors is another Warriors team, one that plays only home games. Felony convictions derailed the lives of the San Quentin Prison squad, some of them promising players. The rocky road to rehabilitation is the point of the game in this eye-opening, inspirational documentary. Q Ball‘s focus is on determined men grappling indelibly with the gravity of their crimes and reaching for redemption. The film zeroes in on about-to-be-paroled star player Harry “ATL” Smith, who has not surrendered his NBA dreams; Anthony “Ant” Ammons, a lifer who has become a mentor to younger inmates; and head coach Rafael Cuevas, a convicted murderer who understands his role in preparing his players for life on the outside. For all three men, the team is not just a means of recreation, but a form of family.

Bluegrass Kingdom: The Gospel of Kentucky Basketball

Bluegrass Kingdom: The Gospel of Kentucky Basketball · 2013

Bluegrass Kingdom: The Gospel of Kentucky Basketball

MovieDocumentary

The fabled past of this iconic college basketball powerhouse is examined and reflected upon by some of the program's most notable figures, including Pat Riley, Jamal Mashburn, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Joe B. Hall, and John Calipari.

Truth Be Told: Rick Ankiel

Truth Be Told: Rick Ankiel · 2019

Truth Be Told: Rick Ankiel

MovieDocumentary

"Truth Be Told: Rick Ankiel" gives insight into Ankiel's personal journey of redemption - overcoming a troubled youth, high expectations, and psychological struggles to achieve success on the field.

More Like This

The Endless Summer

The Endless Summer · 1966

The Endless Summer

MovieDocumentary

Bruce Brown's The Endless Summer is one of the first and most influential surf movies of all time. The film documents American surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August as they travel the world during California’s winter (which, back in 1965 was off-season for surfing) in search of the perfect wave and ultimately, an endless summer.

Touching the Void

Touching the Void · 2003

Touching the Void

MovieDocumentaryAction

The true story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates' disastrous and nearly-fatal mountain climb of 6,344m Siula Grande in the Cordillera Huayhuash in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.

More on Disney+See all →

Toy Story 5

Toy Story 5 · 2026

MovieAnimationFamily

When Bonnie receives a Lilypad tablet as a gift and becomes obsessed, Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang's jobs become exponentially harder when they have to go head to head with the all-new threat to playtime.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas · 1993

The Nightmare Before Christmas

MovieFantasyAnimation

Tired of scaring humans every October 31 with the same old bag of tricks, Jack Skellington, the spindly king of Halloween Town, kidnaps Santa Claus and plans to deliver shrunken heads and other ghoulish gifts to children on Christmas morning. But as Christmas approaches, Jack's rag-doll girlfriend, Sally, tries to foil his misguided plans.

Avengers: Infinity War

Avengers: Infinity War · 2018

Avengers: Infinity War

MovieAdventureAction

As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment - the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.

Avatar: Fire and Ash · 2025

Avatar: Fire and Ash

MovieScience FictionAdventure

In the wake of the devastating war against the RDA and the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully and Neytiri face a new threat on Pandora: the Ash People, a violent and power-hungry Na'vi tribe led by the ruthless Varang. Jake's family must fight for their survival and the future of Pandora in a conflict that pushes them to their emotional and physical limits.

Avengers: Endgame

Avengers: Endgame · 2019

Avengers: Endgame

MovieAdventureScience Fiction

After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.

Zootopia 2

Zootopia 2 · 2025

MovieAnimationAdventure

After cracking the biggest case in Zootopia's history, rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De'Snake arrives and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before.

Coco

MovieFamilyAnimation

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

Inside Out 2

Inside Out 2 · 2024

MovieAnimationAdventure

Teenager Riley's mind headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.

The Avengers

The Avengers · 2012

MovieScience FictionAction

When an unexpected enemy emerges and threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins!

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Spider-Man: No Way Home · 2021

Spider-Man: No Way Home

MovieActionAdventure

Peter Parker is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a super-hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.

The Mandalorian and Grogu

The Mandalorian and Grogu · 2026

The Mandalorian and Grogu

MovieActionAdventure

The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.

Inside Out

Inside Out · 2015

MovieAnimationFamily

When 11-year-old Riley moves to a new city, her Emotions team up to help her through the transition. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work together, but when Joy and Sadness get lost, they must journey through unfamiliar places to get back home.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Deadpool & Wolverine · 2024

Deadpool & Wolverine

MovieActionComedy

A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life with his days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. But when his homeworld faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even more reluctant Wolverine.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Avengers: Age of Ultron · 2015

Avengers: Age of Ultron

MovieActionAdventure

When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Star Wars

Star Wars · 1977

MovieAdventureAction

Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 · 2023

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

MovieScience FictionAdventure

Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

Hoppers

Hoppers · 2026

MovieAnimationAdventure

Scientists have discovered how to 'hop' human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals. Animal lover Mabel seizes an opportunity to use the technology, uncovering mysteries within the animal world beyond anything she could have imagined.

Crazy Magical Mexico

Crazy Magical Mexico · 2026

Crazy Magical Mexico

A man finds the best motivation to secure and save his town: making an independent Mexican film.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Raiders of the Lost Ark · 1981

Raiders of the Lost Ark

MovieAdventureAction

When Dr. Indiana Jones – the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist – is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse · 2023

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

MovieAnimationAction

After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters the Spider Society, a team of Spider-People charged with protecting the Multiverse's very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must set out on his own to save those he loves most.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter