Ivan Ostrochovský’s ‘Only Beautiful Things to Look At’ U.S. Remake Tackles Forced Sterilization of Romani Women

Slovak director Ivan Ostrochovský is developing an American remake of his acclaimed drama “Only Beautiful Things to Look At,” which premiered at Karlovy Vary Film Festival. The film confronts the historical atrocity of forced sterilization targeting Romani women in 1980s Czechoslovakia, with a narrative centered on a doctor beginning to question the practice.

Only Beautiful Things to Look At: The Details

Ivan Ostrochovský’s latest project, “Only Beautiful Things to Look At,” represents a significant moment in international cinema’s reckoning with historical injustices. Set against the backdrop of 1980s Czechoslovakia, the drama stars Aňa Geislerová as a physician who experiences a profound moral awakening. Her character gradually recognizes the systematic nature of forced sterilization campaigns targeting the Romani population, a dark chapter often overlooked in mainstream historical discourse.

The film’s emergence at the prestigious Karlovy Vary Film Festival underscores its artistic merit and thematic importance. Ostrochovský’s approach to “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” transcends simple condemnation; instead, it examines the psychological mechanisms that allow ordinary people to participate in extraordinary cruelty. The director’s decision to develop a U.S. remake suggests the story’s universal resonance, highlighting how systemic discrimination transcended geographical boundaries.

During interviews about “Only Beautiful Things to Look At,” Ostrochovský emphasized that forced sterilization wasn’t unique to Czechoslovakia. His comments reveal a broader historical perspective: similar programs were implemented across multiple nations, including the United States. This revelation contextualizes the film within a global narrative of reproductive injustice, challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about their own countries’ histories.

What This Means for Cinema

“Only Beautiful Things to Look At” represents a crucial evolution in how international cinema addresses historical atrocities. Rather than presenting victimhood as a static state, Ostrochovský’s film examines complicity, moral courage, and the possibility of transformation. The planned U.S. remake of “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” signals growing recognition that historical trauma requires multiple cultural interpretations.

This project joins a growing body of work examining reproductive injustice through cinema. By bringing “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” to American audiences through a localized remake, filmmakers can prompt U.S. viewers to examine their own nation’s eugenic history. Such international collaborations foster cross-cultural dialogue about systemic oppression, encouraging audiences to recognize patterns of discrimination regardless of national context.

What We Know So Far

• “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival
• The drama stars Czech actress Aňa Geislerová in the lead role
• A U.S. remake of “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” is currently in development
• The film is set in 1980s Czechoslovakia and addresses forced sterilization of Romani women
• Director Ostrochovský emphasizes that similar practices occurred globally, including in America

What’s Still Unknown

• Which American production company or studio will develop the “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” remake
• Timeline for the U.S. version of “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” production and release
• Whether the original cast will be involved in the American adaptation

For more information about “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” and Ivan Ostrochovský’s work, visit IMDb’s film database and the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival official website.