Key Facts
Ivan Ostrochovský's 'Only Beautiful Things to Look At' premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in July 2026. The film, set in 1980s Czechoslovakia, tackles the state's racist program of coerced sterilization of Roma women. Despite its handsome production, the film has been criticized for its soft-focus approach and centralizing a white female doctor's perspective.
Plot and Performances
The story follows Ingrid (Anna Geislerová), a doctor who performs sterilizations on Roma women. She lives a privileged life with her husband Maros (Vlad Ivanov) in a beautiful countryside home. Her friendship with Agata (Simona Boledovičová), a Roma orderly, slowly awakens her conscience. Agata's own story, including her strained relationship with her sister Jula (Eva Mores), offers a more compelling narrative but is sidelined.
Cinematography and Direction
Cinematographer Juraj Chlpík captures the era with rich, warm visuals. However, the film's beauty becomes a liability, making the atrocity feel distant. Director Ostrochovský and co-writer Marek Leščák focus on Ingrid's moral journey rather than the voices of Roma women themselves.
Historical Context
The sterilization policy continued well into the 21st century in both the Czech and Slovak Republics. The film's period setting may mislead viewers into thinking the practice is long past, when it is a recent injustice.
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 title refers to the superficial beauty that masks the ugliness of the subject.
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 is the main criticism of the film?
Critics note that the film's beautiful cinematography and focus on a white protagonist distance viewers from the urgency of the atrocity, which continued into the 21st century.
Where was the film reviewed?
The film was reviewed at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in July 2026.