Poisoned Well
Director：Radek Ševčík
Screenwriter：Radek Ševčík
Cast：None
Producer：Rebeka Ondová
Cinematographer：Kristián Katona, Michal Vasiľ, Petr Chromčák, Paulína Hampachelová, Lenka Špániková, Radek Ševčík
Running Time：14min
Region：Slovakia
Year：2023
Language：Czech, Slovak
Production Company：Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava
SYNOPSIS
October 12, 2022 – a terrorist attack in Bratislava – the death of innocent LGBTI+ people – no political response. Film-requiem discusses the deteriorating state of society after the attack, as well as the intimate feelings of LGBTI+ people, including the author himself. Suppressed emotions cannot be filtered even on a self-defense course, where the participants do not belong, where they are forced to be because of their fear. A rotten well poisons society’s opinions, which do not improve even after the attack. Do people really need to live in fear?
Director Biography
Radek Ševčík studies documentary directing at Film and TV Faculty Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava and is a graduate of the filmmaking-focused high school “Creative Hill College”. He often cooperates with his partner Petr Chromčák on short films and intermedia installations. Through the film, he wants to communicate important social topics as well as deep inner feelings. In 2022 he was selected as a finalist of the film accelerator Taiwan Pitch, thanks to which he filmed a poetic non-fiction short Inner Need of Karaoke about Taiwanese karaoke culture. His films were screened at festivals like IDFF Ji.hlava, Kassel Dokfest, Filmschoolfest Munich, AFO Olomouc, or LesGaiCineMad. He occasionally contributes an article to the film magazine 25fps.cz.
Director's Statement
I would rather never shoot this film, but I felt I have to prove that the social is above all personal… When the terrorist attack happened, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of emotions and couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was surprised that nothing substantial happened afterward concerning LGBTI+ rights in Slovakia and we all felt helpless. I began to investigate the local social climate, the level of (in)tolerance, and how queer people here feel after the attack, including myself. I wanted to capture all of this and transform it into a film that would serve as a mediator between LGBTI+ people and everyone else. Also it is a memento of tragic event.
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