Victim sets the stage @TIFF2022

Victim was the first film that FERNTV was able to see at TIFF2022. It was also the first feature of director Michael Blaško. In the past decade, the Slovakian director made short films together like Atlantis, 2003 and The Truck. He finally put his full-length feature together. Right out of the gate, Victim did not disappoint. It set the stage for the calibre of films that we were going to see at this year’s festival.

The film focuses on the heart and empathy of a Ukrainian immigrant and single mother Irinia played by Vita Smachelyuk. She is a housekeeper trying to gain European citizenship living on the Czech border. Her 13-year-old child Igor is left behind in the Czech Republic in hopes they can have a better future. He becomes the bane of her plans when he gets into a horrible incident. This can prove to be detrimental to his studies, gymnastics regimen and overall well-being.

An investigator claims that Igor was assaulted by home invaders and a nearby neighbour confirmed this. When asked by authorities, Igor blames Roma boys for jumping and putting him in the hospital. But his claim was asked when he was still near unconscious. Irina must uncover the truth as to what happened to her son. But in turn, must face the consequences of the story her son is sticking with. Not only does the story hit her neighbourhood but the media as well. As domestic as this incident was supposed to be, Irina has more on her hands. This incident and its political bearings can squander her chances of getting that European citizenship.

Out of Control

Director Michael Blaško is a genius in raising this film to a political level that is out of control of his characters. His main weapon for this film Victim is actress Vita Smachelyuk. She is exceptional in playing the role of this single mother through her balance of poise and aggression. As she peels the layers of the truth about her son’s incident, Blaško shows the out-of-sight realms of people’s reactions. It actually becomes such a journey that even the audience has no control.

This makes for wonderful filmmaking because the audience can’t really predict what is coming next. Victim makes for a wonderful yet tense ride that never takes a lull. It rather makes you hold on to what is coming next. Organic and traditional filmmaking at its best. The intelligence of Blaško is second to none and a balancing act between family and politics which is a slippery slope most of the time for others to film.

Click on our video below for our FERNTV interview with director Michael Blasko discussing his film Victim (Obet’) during TIFF 2022.