Directed by:
Martin ŠulíkScreenplay:
Ondrej ŠulajCinematography:
Martin ŠtrbaComposer:
Vladimír GodárCast:
Maria Pakulnis, György Cserhalmi, Gejza Benkő, Iva Bittová, Adela Gáborová, Stanislav Štepka, Dušan Brandýs, Aneta OrosiováPlots(1)
Slovak filmmaker Martin Šulík s striking debut feature is a rich and complex coming-of-age story set against a background of political upheaval and a country in the throws of transformation and revolution. Simon, a young student, is drawn into a relationship with an older couple, Maria and Viktor, the dynamics of which veer between passion and cruelty. Simon finds himself caught in a love/hate triangle he does not fully comprehend, the key to which is linked to the dark secrets of their past. Analysing human relations in the early years of post-communism, Tenderness presents a world still profoundly affected by the moral corruption characteristic of the years of following the Soviet invasion of 1968. (Second Run)
(more)Reviews (1)
Martin Šulík's intimate debut on the topic of destructive relationships. While short films were Šulík's surface for finding form, he dared to look for content only in this subtle variation on all those Bitter Moons and other unlikely love triangles. But while Polanski followed his protagonists to their doom, Šulík gives them hope through catharsis. György Cserhalmi and Iva Bittová are particularly excellent.
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