Ivan Ostrochovský Explores Forced Sterilization and Plans US Remake of New Drama

Slovak director Ivan Ostrochovský is bringing the painful history of forced sterilization to the screen with his latest drama, Only Beautiful Things to Look At, which is premiering at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Set in the 1980s, the film follows a doctor who begins to question the systemic sterilization of Romani women in former Czechoslovakia. This cinematic exploration of historical trauma is already expanding its scope, with plans underway for a U.S. adaptation set on Navajo Nation land in New Mexico. By addressing a dark global pattern of state-sponsored medical abuse, the project aims to spark difficult but necessary conversations across different cultures.

What happened

In Only Beautiful Things to Look At, co-written with Marek Leščák, Ostrochovský casts Czech actress Aňa Geislerová as a rational doctor undergoing a moral awakening regarding the forced sterilization of Romani women. To appeal to a wider audience, the filmmakers intentionally cast Geislerová, known for her ability to balance cold rationality with emotional transformation without melodrama. The film addresses a history that persisted in Slovakia well into the 2000s, where victims have struggled to receive government compensation despite an official apology.

Simultaneously, Ostrochovský and producer Katarína Tomková are developing a U.S. remake. Tomková's participation in Film Independent's Global Media Makers Residency has facilitated research and location scouting in New Mexico. The adaptation will focus on the American context between the 1970s and 1980s, a period during which the birth rate among Native Americans declined by an estimated 60%, with approximately 40% of Native American women believed to have undergone forced sterilization.

Why it matters

This project highlights how historical atrocities are rarely isolated to a single nation. By drawing parallels between Central Europe and the United States, the filmmakers underscore the global scale of eugenics and institutionalized discrimination. However, adapting such sensitive material for a U.S. audience presents unique challenges; during early scouting, Navajo Nation representatives expressed that they did not want another film that merely portrayed them as victims, demanding instead a narrative that fosters dialogue. Additionally, the film highlights the moral compromises made by medical professionals who rationalized their actions under the guise of helping families in impoverished conditions.

How to think about it

When evaluating films that tackle systemic trauma, it is essential to look at how they balance historical accuracy with narrative empathy. Ostrochovský's approach relies on humanizing the perpetrators to understand the systemic logic behind their actions, rather than presenting them as cartoonish villains. This framework forces the audience to confront how rational, bureaucratic arguments can easily override moral boundaries. For the upcoming U.S. remake, success will depend on how well the production integrates the feedback of the Navajo community, shifting the cinematic lens from passive victimization to active, collaborative dialogue.

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