Czech film 'Pramen' depicts forced sterilisation of Roma women

The feature film *Pramen* premiered in competition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Set in the mid‑1980s in a remote hospital near the Hungarian‑Ukrainian‑Slovak borders, the drama portrays the state‑mandated forced sterilisation of Roma women in socialist Czechoslovakia. Director, screenwriter and producer Ivan Ostrochovský chose a lyrical style to tell the story, starring Anja Geisler and 17‑year‑old Simona Boledovičová.

Based on documented cases that later reached European courts, the film aims to bring attention to this unresolved chapter of Czech history. It will be released in Czech cinemas from 16 July under the international title *Only Beautiful Things to Look At*.