Review: ‘Only Beautiful Things to Look At’ Examines Sterilization Policy in 1980s Czechoslovakia
9 reported
A review of Slovakian filmmaker Ivan Ostrochovský’s film “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” describes the movie as a period drama set in 1980s Czechoslovakia, focusing on the state’s program of suppressing the Roma population through coerced sterilization. The review notes that the film’s attractive presentation and decision to centralize the perspective of a white female doctor, Ingrid, rob the movie of urgency. The film begins with a montage of young Roma women being lectured about family planning, with an offscreen voice stating that sterilization allows Gypsy women to improve their family’s quality of life. Ingrid, played by Anna Geislerová, is a doctor who performs sterilizations and lives a beautiful life with her husband Maros, but begins to feel uncomfortable after befriending Agata, a Romani orderly played by Simona Boledovičová. The review criticizes the film for focusing on Ingrid’s moral awakening rather than the more intriguing story of Agata and her sister Jula. The review concludes that the film’s loveliness becomes a liability, placing the real plight of the Roma several removes away.
What’s reported
The film is set in 1980s Czechoslovakia during the height of the state’s racist program of suppressing the Roma population through coerced sterilization.
The film is directed by Slovakian filmmaker Ivan Ostrochovský and co-written with Marek Leščák.
The protagonist is Ingrid, a white female doctor played by Anna Geislerová.
Ingrid performs sterilizations that leave patients with a small scar beneath the navel nicknamed “the bow.”
Ingrid lives in a beautiful house in the countryside with her husband Maros, played by Vlad Ivanov.
Agata, played by Simona Boledovičová, is a Romani orderly who is reticent about her identity.
Agata has a sister named Jula, played by Eva Mores, who married within the Roma community and has two children.
The film’s cinematographer is Juraj Chlpík.
The review states the sterilization policy continued well into the 21st century in both the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Key figures
Ivan Ostrochovský: Slovakian filmmaker and director
Marek Leščák: Co-writer
Anna Geislerová: Actress playing Ingrid
Vlad Ivanov: Actor playing Maros
Simona Boledovičová: Actress playing Agata
Eva Mores: Actress playing Jula
Juraj Chlpík: Cinematographer
Sources: Variety
