19/10/2023 - A Slovak literary classic meets contemporary cinematic flair in a magical-realist drama of whimsy, humour and allegorical introspection

Actor Milan Ondrík (right) on the set of Sluggard Clan (© Lipstick)

Drawing on the depths of Slovak folklore and blending it with his unique comedic stylisation, director, writer and producer Rasťo Boroš (Goldilocks and the Glorious Losers) is currently immersed in post-production on his latest feature-length project, Sluggard Clan. Inspired by the Slovak literary classic Ťapákovci by Božena Slančíková-Timrava, Boroš embarked on this project with the idea of capturing what he has termed the “soul of the Slovak nation”. Instead of a direct adaptation, he has opted to take cues from the original text, imbuing it with his characteristic expressive visual poetics and comedic twists while blending drama with whimsicality and humour.

The narrative pivots around three lazy siblings – Enriko, portrayed by Milan Ondrík (Let There Be Light [+see also:
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interview: Marko Škop
interview: Milan Ondrík
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The film's creative intentions have been meticulously crafted to evoke a hyperbolised representation, a distinct blend of set design, costume design and a narrative style that meanders through reality, imagination and surreal elements. The literary realism of Timrava's Ťapákovci provides the foundation upon which the film builds, but the adaptation promises a more complex universe. The isolated, simplistic setting offers an opportunity for a dreamlike exploration of internal worlds, amplified by the characters' own mental limitations. The narrative will feature the spirits of deceased ancestors from diverse nationalities, acting as metaphors for unresolved Slovakian grievances. The film contends that nationality is a mere construct, and humanity's inherent flaws stem from ignorance, backwardness and pride.

Boroš noted that his cinematic world for Sluggard Clan can be traced to the literary Macondo from Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, Emir Kusturica's eccentric characters and Aki Kaurismäki's touching tales of outsiders. The director’s aim is to elevate the rural aspect of on-location shooting into a visual metaphor that communicates the socio-critical dimensions of the story.

Behind the scenes, the film's aesthetics have been sculpted by the combined forces of production designer Michal Lošonský (By a Sharp Knife [+see also:
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Sluggard Clan is being produced by LIPSTICK (Slovakia), and co-produced by Sunday driver (Slovakia), i/o post (Czech Republic), San Cinema UG & KG (Germany) and Radio and Television Slovakia. The Slovak Audiovisual Fund and Radio and Television Slovakia have supported the project. The release is planned for September 2024.