We Have Never Been Modern / Úsvit
Czech Republic, Slovakia 2023
Directed by Matěj Chlupáček, drama, 117 min, eng subtitles, 16+
Written by Miro Šifra
With Eliška Křenková, Miloslav König, Milan Ondrík, Richard Langdon, Martha Issová, Luboš Veselý, Ladislav Hampl, Marian Mitas
Helena is soon to give birth and set off on a path leading to a bright future in the modern Bata town in eastern Slovakia. She is an aspiring doctor and the wife of a successful young factory manager. It is 1937 and the sky above the majestic Tatra Mountains is azure blue and cloudless, showing no signs of the historical events to come. However, this idyllic picture is tarnished by a sinister discovery of a strangely formed stillborn baby in the factory´s courtyard. Helena is determined to solve the mystery.
Immaculately produced and engagingly acted, this is a gripping period thriller exploring the shady side of modernity and approaching its topic – viewed as controversial not only before WW2, but also many decades later – with a daring up-to-date sensibility.
Awards
Karlovy Vary FF (International Competition)
With the support of Amitiés tchéque et slovaque Luxembourg (ATSL)