Belltable: World Cinema – Blind Loves Posted on August 19th, 2010

Using an intriguing blend of documentary, fiction and fantasy, Slovakian filmmaker Lehotsky tells four romantic stories about blind or partially sighted people. It’s not an easy movie, but adventurous audiences will love it.

First we meet Peter and Iveta, a blind couple going about their everyday life, watching the Olympics on TV and teaching piano. Next is Miro, a tough guy who falls for Monika. But he’s a shunned gypsy, and her family doesn’t want him around her. Third is Elena, a young woman who works as a housecleaner and is worried about having a baby with her equally blind husband Laco. And finally, 14-year-old Zuzana dreams of finding a boyfriend who likes her as she is. She meets a guy online, but is scared to meet him.

There are many moments of sharp irony and dark humour. Zuzana has no idea that she’s actually a hottie. Miro and Monika are terrified to confront the deep prejudice in their culture, wondering if they can make it on their own. Elena and Laco are frightened of the prospect of being blind parents, even though they both look forward to having a child. In other words, the issues these people face are deeply resonant; we feel their vulnerability and yearning. And in the epilogues, we share their emotions without it ever feeling sentimentalised. – Rich Cline / Shadows on the Wall

Dir: Juraj Lehotsky/Slovak Republic/2008/ 77mins/ Cert: CLUB

Tickets: €6/€5

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