Domestique

Judging from the responses to Domestique, it is the most polarising film of this year’s edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, or rather a film that will surprise due to its unanimous rejection in certain circles. However, if we don’t approach it literally as a story of a single relationship and two particular people, it can come across as a conceptual cinematic expression of self-centredness. The screenplay piles up clues that help to build a baffling narrative and attract the viewers’ gaze to the main male character, while at the same time suggesting through various clues that, outside of the confines of his shell, the world looks different than it seems at first glance. As in the Czech series Semestr, director Adam Sedlák shows that for a man his age, he has surprising insight into social phenomena that, according to ageist prejudices, should not concern him. After the artificiality of the relationships of young people, this time he touches on the career zenith of people in their thirties and the associated personal crises and the subtle slumps ensuing from insufficient (self-)reflection. (07/12/2018)

It’s nice to see that, once again, Czech filmmaking is making a step forward by breaking a taboo a little bit. I liked the well-thought editing and how the story is highlighted with small details (how the characters wither at the same time as the flowers in their flat, together with the rotting fruits in the bowl). Unfortunately, there’s not much happening and it feels lengthy. The characters are amorphous caricatures who haven’t evolved at the end compared to the beginning. What is supposed to make the viewer interested in their story? I must admit that, at times, my mind was totally elsewhere. Objectively, I find some value in this film – again, it’s something a bit different, which is welcome in our cinematic landscape, but unfortunately, it left me cold. [KVIFF 2018] (07/06/2018)

Adam Sedlák is at the top of Czech cinema with a precisely created film on the European level. This is a perfectly escalating drama/thriller/horror with a clear artistic vision and an original and well-thought-out concept. The film also excels through an excellent musical component, which makes the film an even fiercer ride rather than being firmly directed. The film has strong acting and a gradual pace of storytelling, painfully as intense as a day's cycling after a night spent in an oxygen tent. Too bad it didn't keep going, and too bad it couldn’t have been even harsher. (07/04/2018)

It took me a really long time to get into this movie. It didn't quite meet my initial expectations, but I have to admit that it is a pretty solid psycho movie, which manages to impress especially with its originality, rawness and absolutely top-notch sound. However, the film suffers a bit from being overlong. There are really too many dead spots to be overlooked. However, Adam Sedlak is certainly one of the young talents we should cherish. There are not so many of them in our country. (65%) (07/30/2022)