Key Facts
Ivan Ostrochovský's 'Only Beautiful Things to Look At' premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in July 2026. The film is a co-production between Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Hungary, produced by Punkchart Films. It runs 88 minutes and features a cast including Anna Geislerová, Simona Boledovičová, and Eva Mores.
Plot and Setting
Set in 1980s Czechoslovakia, the film follows Ingrid (Anna Geislerová), a white female doctor who performs sterilizations on Roma women as part of a state-sanctioned racist policy. The government's program aimed to suppress the Roma population through coerced sterilization, a practice that continued into the 21st century in both Czech and Slovak Republics. Ingrid lives a comfortable life with her husband Maros (Vlad Ivanov) in a beautiful countryside home, but her conscience begins to stir after befriending Agata (Simona Boledovičová), a Roma orderly who hides her identity.
Visual and Narrative Style
Cinematographer Juraj Chlpík captures the era with painstaking detail, from fashions to furnishings, creating a visually rich period piece. However, the film's attractive presentation distances viewers from the atrocity, making it feel like a distant historical artifact rather than an urgent issue. The narrative centers on Ingrid's moral awakening, sidelining the Roma women's own stories. The most compelling subplot involves sisters Agata and Jula (Eva Mores), whose contrasting lives highlight the community's struggles.
Impact and Criticism
Reviewer Jessica Kiang notes that the film's 'old-school, soft-focus approach' robs it of urgency. The decision to focus on a white protagonist is seen as a missed opportunity to give voice to the Roma victims. The film's beauty becomes a liability, as it glosses over the ugliness of the crime. The sterilization policy, which involved conning women into procedures they didn't understand, is not explored in depth.
What Readers Should Know
- The film is well-intentioned but feels dated in its approach.
- It highlights a dark chapter in Czechoslovakian history that persisted into the 2000s.
- Viewers may find the visual beauty at odds with the grim subject matter.
- The performances, especially by Simona Boledovičová and Eva Mores, are praised.
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 critical reception of the film?
The film is praised for its visual beauty but criticized for its dated approach and lack of urgency, as it centers on a white protagonist rather than the Roma victims.