Danielův Svět

Daniel, a 25-year-old student of literature, lies in the bath. Off-screen we hear his voice: ‘Although I’ve never been with either a boy or a girl, I can’t say my life lacks love.’ But what is it like for a young man who loves boys; a man who, unable to ever fulfil his desire, either has to content himself with sexual fantasies or use medication to suppress his feelings? This film accompanies Daniel in his struggle to accept himself, and his desperate search for a partner. While we watch simple yet wellcomposed images of Daniel at the hairdressers, ice skating, or taking his mother’s dog out for a walk, his off-screen commentary continues to probe and find a way to handle both his coming out and his unfulfilled desires and live a fulfilled life. Not wanting to distort her protagonist’s voice, nor make his face unrecognisable, Veronika Lišková met over twenty paedophiles before choosing to work with Daniel who, in spite of being aware of how vulnerable he is making himself, is exceptionately open about his condition.

details

  • Runtime

    74 min
  • Country

    Czechia
  • Year of Presentation

    2015
  • Year of Production

    2014
  • Director

    Veronika Liskova
  • Cast

  • Production Company

    Visible Film
  • Berlinale Section

    Panorama
  • Berlinale Category

    Documentary Film

Biography Veronika Liskova

Born in Prague in 1982, she graduated in cultural studies at Charles University and then studied screenwriting and dramaturgy at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. She was editor in chief of Nový Prostor, a magazine sold by the homeless, and has worked as screenwriter and director on documentary projects for Czech television. She currently heads the training programme at the Institute of Documentary Film in Prague. DANIELŮV SVĚT is her feature debut.