Her Body

The life of Andrea Absolonova, a promising diver *slash* famous porn actress, whose existence I had no idea about before watching this film, offers a rather interesting subject and it is a bit of a pity that Her Body didn't use its full potential. Natálie Císařovská's feature directorial debut doesn't really break out of the genre of biographical drama, although it does contain some interesting motifs and shots. For me, the film's biggest weakness was the sharp (or flinty) transition between the main character's two very different careers and the superficially portrayed attitude of Andrea's family towards her post-accident life. P. S. The censored scenes didn't even need to be there! (11/29/2023)

For a Czech film, this is a daring topic, especially for a debut. The execution is fairly solid, and the performances are top-notch. Natalia Germani is fantastic, and her decision to take on this role deserves respect and recognition. However, the film has two major issues. First, it skims the surface of the theme, ignoring deeper aspects like Andrea’s relationship with her family and sticking to general facts. Second, while it sensitively tells a complex life story, it abruptly shifts to an extreme pornographic scene that feels forced and off-putting. There are more effective ways to shock an audience. (04/22/2024)

18+ Natálie Císařovská thinks similarly to me. She became acquainted with the fate of Andrea Absolonová (1976-2004) through her obituary, which later inspired her to draw parallels between elite sports and pornography, and she built a feature film based on this reflection. Based on the reactions of ordinary people and (so-called) professional reviews, I conclude that the majority of Císařovská's audience eagerly swallowed the film's promotional game. Some are even disappointed that Her Body is not more sexy or does not follow the expected downward spiral. However, Císařovská does not see Absolonová's career change as a moral downfall, but as a logical step in the given situation. Her film speaks much more about how toxic the environment of elite sports is, and how easily one can treat the body as a mere tool if it is taken away from you in childhood. What happened to the main character in her life? Overnight, she had to end her sports career due to a neck injury. She had no alternative career plan (here the exclamation mark is directed at her parents and coach), and after recovering, she only had her trained body left. For the first time, she could decide for herself about it, gradually recovering from training drills, starting to eat, menstruate (another exclamation mark for neglected care by her parents and coach), and making decisions about her sex life. And the only thing she could work with was her ambition for success. The Czech porn industry at that time offered her a new opportunity. It was not just a factory for cheap internet scenes; it was a world in itself, where good money was made, and some awards carried some weight. Those uninvolved may not be able to grasp this difference, but it is certainly possible to read the memoir book by Tarra White "Porno a já" (Porn and Me), who, according to her own words, entered the industry six months after Absolonová's/Ley de Mae death and experienced all the emotions of mourning with her former colleagues. Those who have the courage to watch some of Ley de Mae's full movies can certainly understand how successful she was and that she really managed to travel with this profession, and it did not just remain as empty promises of the small Czech production. ___ I was exceptionally at a screening in a full movie theater, and it was interesting to observe various false moans of dismay and reassurances among the seats in the style of "it is really terrible what is happening on the screen."  I remember similar entertaining reactions from the screenings of Nymph()maniac: Volume 1 ;) (12/11/2023)

Zero psychology among the characters and zero inventiveness in the directing. Just creative disengagement in following a strange life story. It’s as if I was reading a superficial tabloid article or watching a mediocre made-for-TV movie. However, seeing a close-up of vaginal penetration on the big screen, if only for two seconds, was a pleasant experience and left me surprised by the filmmakers’ boldness. (03/17/2024)

An incredible banality. When will Czech filmmakers finally realise that it is not enough to take a seemingly dramatic story and somehow just translate it to the screen with the idea that it will work. If you don't have any creative handwriting, ideas, courage to try something new, an interesting style, or God forbid some kind of idea and point (scandalous expectations, I know!), then just give it up... (05/26/2024)