A Chilean widow disrupts an insular, patriarchal society in rural Croatia , circa 1910, in God Will Not Help , a mesmerizing period drama from director Hana Jusic, Croatia’s official entry for the Oscars in the best international feature category.

Jušić evokes gothic drama, Wuthering Heights and even elements of genre horror in her second feature, which stars Chilean actress and director Manuela Martelli as Teresa, a mysterious woman who arrives in a community of sheep herders in rural Croatia, claiming to be the widow of one of their own, who emigrated years ago to seek his fortune. Unable to speak the language, Teresa nevertheless bonds with Milena (Ana Marija Veselcic), another outsider in the community.…