Key Facts
Slovakian director Ivan Ostrochovský's latest film, Only Beautiful Things to Look At, premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in July 2026. The drama sheds light on the Czechoslovakian state's racist program of coerced sterilization of Roma women, a practice that persisted into the 21st century in both the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Plot and Characters
The story follows Ingrid (Anna Geislerová), a white female doctor working at a hospital where she assesses and performs sterilizations on Roma women. The procedure leaves a small scar under the navel, nicknamed 'the bow.' Ingrid lives a privileged life with her husband Maros (Vlad Ivanov) in a beautiful countryside home. Her moral awakening begins through her friendship with Agata (Simona Boledovičová), a Roma orderly who hides her ethnic identity. Agata's own story, including her strained relationship with her sister Jula (Eva Mores), offers a more compelling narrative but remains secondary.
Cinematography and Direction
Cinematographer Juraj Chlpík captures the 1980s Czechoslovakia with meticulous period detail, but the film's attractive visuals create a sense of distance. The soft-focus approach makes the atrocities feel like a distant historical artifact rather than a recent injustice. Director Ostrochovský, co-writing with Marek Leščák, prioritizes Ingrid's perspective, which critics argue diminishes the urgency of the Roma women's plight.
Impact and Criticism
While well-intentioned, the film has been criticized for its 'white savior' undertones. By centering on a white protagonist, it risks allowing audiences to feel comfortable rather than confronted. The real-life horror of forced sterilization—often performed without consent, in a language the women didn't understand—is glossed over. The film's beauty becomes a liability, as noted by critics: 'Why are we being given only beautiful things to look at, when there are so many ugly things that better warrant the attention?'
What Readers Should Know
- The film runs 88 minutes and is a co-production between Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Hungary.
- It features dialogue in Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, and Romani.
- The sterilization program was part of a state policy to suppress the Roma population, continuing well after the 1980s.
FAQ
What is the film 'Only Beautiful Things to Look At' about?
The film exposes the Czechoslovakian government's program of forced sterilization of Roma women in the 1980s, focusing on a white female doctor's moral awakening.
Who directed 'Only Beautiful Things to Look At'?
The film is directed by Slovakian filmmaker Ivan Ostrochovský.
What are the main criticisms of the film?
Critics note that the film centers on a white protagonist, softening the urgency of the atrocity, and its beautiful cinematography may distance viewers from the harsh reality.
When was the film reviewed at Karlovy Vary?
The film premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in July 2026.