Key Facts
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 government's racist program of coerced sterilization of Roma women, a practice that continued well into the 21st century in both the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Plot and Perspective
The story centers on Ingrid (Anna Geislerová), a white female doctor working at a hospital where sterilizations are performed to meet government quotas. Despite her own struggles with sexism in the workplace, Ingrid initially participates in the program without question. Her moral awakening begins through her friendship with Agata (Simona Boledovičová), a Roma orderly who hides her ethnic identity. The film also explores the strained relationship between Agata and her sister Jula (Eva Mores), who married within the Roma community and faces pressure to have more children.
Visual Style and Critique
Cinematographer Juraj Chlpík captures the 1980s Czechoslovakia with painstaking detail, from the fashions to the furnishings. However, the film's attractive presentation has been criticized for lacking urgency. Reviewer Jessica Kiang notes that the 'old-school, soft-focus approach' allows viewers to distance themselves from the cruelty, as if observing artifacts behind museum glass. The decision to center a white protagonist further muffles the voices of the Roma women, who are shown in dignified portraits but never given dialogue to speak for themselves.
Impact and What Viewers Should Know
While the film is well-intentioned, its beauty becomes a liability. The real plight of the Roma is placed at several removes, and the finale resolves conflict with a rather glib miracle. For those seeking a deeper understanding of this historical atrocity, the film offers a visually rich but ultimately muted portrayal.
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 was 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, making it feel like a distant period piece.
When and where was the film reviewed?
The film was reviewed at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in July 2026.