Mandragora (film)
Encyclopedia
Mandragora is a 1997 film by Polish director Wiktor Grodecki
about the mental and physical decline of a 15-year old boy who runs away from his seemingly distanced father to Prague
, where he becomes a victim of the drug and sex scene.
Marek (Miroslav Caslavka) feels misunderstood by his father who in turn cannot accept that his son does not want to go to school anymore. They quarrel, and Marek runs away to the Czech capital, where he initially rejects the advances of the pimp Honza (Pavel Skripal), but later gives in because he needs money.
His first attempts at prostituting himself do not go so well—his first john drugs him and then rapes him in his sleep. Marek finds a friend in David (David Svec), with whom he works together. David also has problems with his father and fears him, even if it remains unclear why.
Marek and David are hired by the porno producer Krysa (Kostas Zerdolaglu) for a film, and it gradually becomes clear that Marek, as opposed to the other boys who pride themselves on their heterosexuality
, has feelings beyond friendship for David. Eventually, the two are ordered to have anal intercourse, which Krysa remarks looks like a crucifixion
.
Finally, David is arrested for the robbing of a punter, which causes Marek to completely lose his mental balance, starting to take drugs like speed
and heroin in sizable quantities. In a last poignant scene, the father (who has come looking for his son in Prague) and the son end up in the same public toilet, where the son is taking drugs, but of course only the audience knows this, as the camera is hovering above the stalls.
While the first half or so of the movie is conceived in a way that emphasizes the realism of the situation, the second half relies more heavily on events and characters (like Krysa) drawn directly from the same director's documentary on the subject, Body Without Soul
, and show the essential hopelessness of the main character's situation. In particular, the scene with father and son next to each other, only separated by a toilet stall door, vehemently denies any "Hollywood-style" resolution of the conflict.
Wiktor Grodecki
Wiktor Grodecki is a Polish film director, screenwriter and producer known for MANDRAGORA Wiktor Grodecki (born 25 February 1960 in Warsaw) is a Polish film director, screenwriter and producer known for MANDRAGORA Wiktor Grodecki (born 25 February 1960 in Warsaw) is a Polish film director,...
about the mental and physical decline of a 15-year old boy who runs away from his seemingly distanced father to Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, where he becomes a victim of the drug and sex scene.
Marek (Miroslav Caslavka) feels misunderstood by his father who in turn cannot accept that his son does not want to go to school anymore. They quarrel, and Marek runs away to the Czech capital, where he initially rejects the advances of the pimp Honza (Pavel Skripal), but later gives in because he needs money.
His first attempts at prostituting himself do not go so well—his first john drugs him and then rapes him in his sleep. Marek finds a friend in David (David Svec), with whom he works together. David also has problems with his father and fears him, even if it remains unclear why.
Marek and David are hired by the porno producer Krysa (Kostas Zerdolaglu) for a film, and it gradually becomes clear that Marek, as opposed to the other boys who pride themselves on their heterosexuality
Heterosexuality
Heterosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the opposite sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, physical or romantic attractions to persons of the opposite sex";...
, has feelings beyond friendship for David. Eventually, the two are ordered to have anal intercourse, which Krysa remarks looks like a crucifixion
Crucifixion
Crucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead...
.
Finally, David is arrested for the robbing of a punter, which causes Marek to completely lose his mental balance, starting to take drugs like speed
Amphetamine
Amphetamine or amfetamine is a psychostimulant drug of the phenethylamine class which produces increased wakefulness and focus in association with decreased fatigue and appetite.Brand names of medications that contain, or metabolize into, amphetamine include Adderall, Dexedrine, Dextrostat,...
and heroin in sizable quantities. In a last poignant scene, the father (who has come looking for his son in Prague) and the son end up in the same public toilet, where the son is taking drugs, but of course only the audience knows this, as the camera is hovering above the stalls.
While the first half or so of the movie is conceived in a way that emphasizes the realism of the situation, the second half relies more heavily on events and characters (like Krysa) drawn directly from the same director's documentary on the subject, Body Without Soul
Body Without Soul
Body Without Soul is a 1994 documentary film about young boys in Prague working as prostitutes. The creator of the documentary, Wiktor Grodecki interviews the boys whose age ranges between 14-17 to find out more about their lives and how they got into the business...
, and show the essential hopelessness of the main character's situation. In particular, the scene with father and son next to each other, only separated by a toilet stall door, vehemently denies any "Hollywood-style" resolution of the conflict.