Film Review: 'Only Beautiful Things to Look At' Examines State Cruelty

Slovakian filmmaker Ivan Ostrochovský's film 'Only Beautiful Things to Look At' meticulously recreates the aesthetic of Czechoslovakia in the 1980s, a period marked by the state's oppressive program targeting the Roma population through forced sterilization. The film aims to evoke the era's fashions and furnishings while confronting this history of state-sanctioned cruelty. However, the review suggests that the film's visually appealing yet detached presentation ultimately mutes the impact of its subject matter.

The narrative focuses on the systemic oppression faced by the Roma community during this era. Ostrochovský's directorial approach, as described, prioritizes a handsome visual style, which, while detailed in its depiction of the period, is noted for being oddly bloodless. This aesthetic choice leads to the impression of a period drama rather than a visceral exploration of the injustices. The film's strength lies in its detailed evocation of the time, but its weakness appears to be its inability to convey the full emotional weight of the historical events.

Despite the film's handsome production values and careful attention to historical detail in its set design and costumes, the critical assessment points to a disconnect between the visual presentation and the gravity of the themes. The review implies that the film's beauty, while intentional, inadvertently distances the viewer from the harsh realities of the state's actions. This creates a paradox where the film's aesthetic success may undermine its thematic purpose of exposing and condemning the cruelty it portrays.