Movies: We Have Never Been Modern (2023) by Matěj Chlupáček: A Bold Period Detective Drama Examining Intersex Identity, Gender Fluidity, and Progress's Dark Side in Pre-War Czechoslovakia
- dailyentertainment95
- Dec 22, 2025
- 12 min read
Summary of the Movie: When Truth Confronts Prejudice in Society's Quest for Progress
Chlupáček crafts sophisticated period mystery examining intersex identity through pregnant protagonist investigating dead infant's origins while confronting own prejudices in 1937 Czechoslovakia's modernization drive.
Plot: Helena, pregnant wife of factory manager Alois, discovers dead intersex newborn at Bata company construction site days before boss's visit, leading her medical student curiosity to uncover truth about factory worker Sasa while facing societal pressure silencing investigation threatening company reputation.
Movie Trend: The film joins period dramas using historical settings to examine contemporary LGBTQ+ issues, employing detective structure where investigation reveals prejudices while exploring gender identity and intersex experiences through modern lens.
Social Trend: The narrative addresses gender fluidity recognition, intersex rights, women's agency suppression under patriarchal systems, and modernization projects prioritizing industrial progress over human dignity and truth.
Director's Authorship: Chlupáček brings sophisticated visual style shooting on 35mm while collaborating with screenwriter Miro Šifra to create detective framework centered on female protagonist pursuing truth against powerful male establishment.
Awards and Recognition: 12 Czech Lion nominations (second-most behind Brothers), 4 wins and 23 nominations total, Karlovy Vary Competition premiere, demonstrating significant critical recognition within Czech cinema landscape.
Casting as Statement: Křenková delivers luminous central performance while casting actual social worker Richard Langdon as intersex character Sasa brings authentic perspective informed by trans community consultation ensuring respectful representation.
Where to Watch Streaming: October 2023 Czech theatrical release through Bontonfilm followed by international distribution through LevelK, with January 2025 United States availability positioning as specialty arthouse offering.
Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/we-have-never-been-modern (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/we-have-never-been-modern (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/we-have-never-been-modern (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/we-have-never-been-modern (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/we-have-never-been-modern (Spain)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21054472/
Insights: Historical Setting Enables Contemporary Dialogue While Detective Structure Reveals Systemic Prejudices
Industry Insights — Period Films Address Present Concerns: Historical settings provide distance enabling controversial subject examination without direct confrontation. Czech cinema increasingly tackling LGBTQ+ themes through sophisticated genre frameworks. Consumer Insights — Truth-Seeking Protagonists Resonate: Audiences respond to characters pursuing honesty despite social pressure and personal risk. Viewers appreciate female agency narratives challenging patriarchal power structures. Brand Insights — LevelK Pursues Progressive Content: International sales agent demonstrates commitment to socially engaged cinema addressing marginalized experiences. Czech production companies establishing quality reputation through thematically ambitious projects.
Film demonstrates how period detective structure can facilitate examination of gender identity and intersex experiences while critiquing progress narratives prioritizing industry over humanity.
Why It Is Trending: Bold Subject Matter Meets Sophisticated Execution
The film captures attention through culturally timely gender identity examination, strong festival positioning, and remarkable 12 Czech Lion nominations demonstrating industry recognition.
Contemporary Gender Discourse: Film addresses gender fluidity and intersex experiences gaining cultural visibility amid ongoing debates about gender identity recognition and rights.
Czech Lion Recognition: 12 nominations (second-most for 2024 ceremony) validate quality and ambition positioning film as major domestic achievement despite challenging subject matter.
Karlovy Vary Competition Premiere: Crystal Globe competition selection at country's premier festival generates critical attention and establishes prestige positioning.
Young Director Ambition: Chlupáček shooting expensive 35mm production tackling complex themes before age 30 generates industry interest in emerging talent demonstrating sophistication.
Insights: Timely Subject Matter Drives Conversation While Festival Success Validates Artistic Ambition
Industry Insights — Social Issues Drive Festival Selection: Major festivals increasingly programming films addressing LGBTQ+ experiences and gender identity. Young directors tackling ambitious subjects gain disproportionate attention demonstrating vision. Consumer Insights — Historical Context Enables Difficult Conversations: Audiences more receptive to challenging themes when framed through period settings providing emotional distance. Viewers seeking authentic representation appreciate community consultation ensuring respectful portrayals. Brand Insights — Czech Cinema Tackles Progressive Themes: National film industry demonstrating willingness addressing controversial subjects positioning for international recognition. Festival success generates domestic pride supporting theatrical viability.
Trending status reflects alignment of culturally urgent subject matter with sophisticated execution validated through festival recognition and industry honors.
Why to Watch This Movie: Luminous Performance Anchors Bold Thematic Exploration
This film offers rare combination of sophisticated visual craft, compelling mystery structure, and honest examination of gender identity and intersex experiences through historical lens.
Křenková's Luminous Performance: Actress delivers nuanced portrayal conveying curiosity, fear, and prejudice transformation through largely non-verbal performance requiring extraordinary emotional intelligence and restraint.
35mm Visual Sophistication: Film shot on expensive 35mm stock creates period authenticity and visual richness elevating beyond typical low-budget Czech production demonstrating artistic ambition.
Circular Narrative Structure: Story beginning where it ends rewards attentive viewing as audience gains understanding of opening scene's significance through complete journey enabling deeper appreciation.
Authentic Representation: Film's consultation with trans community and casting social worker Richard Langdon brings genuine perspective to intersex character portrayal avoiding exploitation or stereotyping.
Insights: Performance Excellence Elevates Material While Visual Craft Demonstrates Serious Artistic Commitment
Industry Insights — 35mm Choice Signals Ambition: Expensive format selection for Czech production demonstrates directorial vision prioritizing visual quality over budget constraints. Non-professional casting for sensitive roles brings authenticity professionals might lack. Consumer Insights — Circular Narratives Reward Engagement: Audiences appreciate structures requiring active interpretation creating rewatch value. Viewers seeking authentic LGBTQ+ representation value community consultation over exploitative portrayals. Brand Insights — Czech Cinema Quality Aspirations: National industry investing in ambitious productions signals maturation and international marketplace competitiveness. Sophisticated execution differentiates from low-budget regional offerings.
Viewing proposition centers on experiencing genuine artistic ambition addressing challenging subject matter with respect and visual sophistication creating memorable period drama.
What Trend Is Followed: Period LGBTQ+ Dramas and Female Agency Narratives
The film participates in trends examining gender identity through historical settings while centering female protagonists pursuing truth against patriarchal suppression.
Historical LGBTQ+ Examination: Joins films like "The Danish Girl" and "Carol" using period settings to explore gender identity and sexuality while providing contemporary commentary.
Female Detective Protagonists: Follows trend of women investigating truth despite male establishment opposition including "Bombshell" and various adaptations privileging female agency.
Intersex Representation: Rare cinematic examination of intersex experiences addressing underrepresented identity with authentic consultation avoiding sensationalism or exploitation.
Progress Critique: Questions modernization narratives showing industrial advancement concealing human costs and moral compromises prioritizing profit over dignity.
Insights: Period Settings Enable LGBTQ+ Exploration While Detective Framework Privileges Female Agency
Industry Insights — Historical Distance Facilitates Controversial Topics: Period settings provide emotional buffer enabling gender identity examination reaching broader audiences. Female-centered detective narratives gaining prominence across international cinema. Consumer Insights — Authentic Representation Matters: LGBTQ+ audiences value community consultation over tokenistic inclusion. Viewers respond to period dramas connecting historical prejudices to contemporary discrimination patterns. Brand Insights — Niche Subjects Find Festival Support: Films addressing underrepresented experiences gain festival attention despite limited commercial prospects. International sales agents recognizing progressive content as prestige positioning.
The film demonstrates how period detective structure can examine gender identity while critiquing progress narratives concealing systemic discrimination and violence.
Director's Vision: Truth-Seeking Through Visual Poetry and Genre Subversion
Chlupáček constructs film privileging female protagonist's journey toward understanding while using handheld energy and 35mm beauty to examine modernization's human costs.
Female Truth-Seeker Framework: Vision centers Helena as detective pursuing truth despite male establishment pressure, creating narrative where curiosity and empathy triumph over convenience and prejudice.
Energetic Handheld Cinematography: Directorial choice employing handheld camera movement within period setting creates immediacy avoiding staid costume drama conventions while maintaining visual elegance.
Fourth Wall Breaking: Opening scene where Helena looks directly at camera followed by upside-down shot signals unconventional approach inviting audience perspective adjustment.
Community-Informed Authenticity: Vision evolved through trans community consultation changing ending to honor Sasa's self-determination rather than imposing medical solution reflecting external pressure.
Insights: Genre Subversion Creates Fresh Approach While Community Consultation Ensures Respectful Representation
Industry Insights — Handheld Period Films Break Conventions: Dynamic camera work within historical settings differentiates from typical static costume dramas. Director-producer combination enables greater creative control ensuring vision realization. Consumer Insights — Authenticity Through Consultation: Audiences appreciate filmmakers engaging affected communities rather than imposing external narratives. Viewers respond to genre subversion avoiding predictable period drama aesthetics. Brand Insights — Young Directors Bring Fresh Perspectives: Emerging filmmakers tackling established genres with unconventional approaches generate festival interest. Community engagement demonstrates ethical filmmaking commitment beyond superficial representation.
Directorial vision demonstrates how genre conventions can be subverted while maintaining period authenticity creating dynamic examination of historical discrimination with contemporary relevance.
Key Success Factors: Ambitious Vision Meets Sophisticated Execution
Film's achievement stems from alignment of bold subject matter, expensive production values, strong central performance, and community consultation ensuring authentic representation.
Křenková's Extraordinary Performance: Actress carrying film through largely non-verbal work conveying complex emotional journey from privilege to understanding creates compelling protagonist.
35mm Visual Investment: Expensive format choice for Czech production demonstrates commitment to visual quality distinguishing film from typical regional offerings.
Community Consultation: Trans community engagement ensuring respectful intersex representation validates authenticity avoiding exploitative or stereotypical portrayals damaging credibility.
Czech Lion Recognition: 12 nominations validate industry appreciation for ambition and execution despite challenging commercial subject matter.
Insights: Production Investment Signals Seriousness While Community Engagement Ensures Credibility
Industry Insights — Format Choice Demonstrates Commitment: 35mm shooting for regional production signals artistic ambition and quality prioritization. Czech film industry recognizing socially engaged cinema through major nominations. Consumer Insights — Representation Requires Authenticity: LGBTQ+ audiences scrutinize portrayals demanding community involvement over external impositions. Viewers appreciate ambitious productions tackling difficult subjects with sophistication. Brand Insights — Festival Circuit Values Progressive Content: International distributors recognizing socially conscious cinema as prestige positioning. Czech cinema establishing reputation for thematically ambitious projects.
Success demonstrates how genuine artistic ambition combined with authentic representation can achieve critical recognition despite commercial challenges inherent in difficult subject matter.
Awards and Nominations: 12 Czech Lion Nominations Validate Industry Recognition
Awards trajectory demonstrates extraordinary industry appreciation positioning film as major Czech achievement despite challenging commercial prospects.
12 Czech Lion Nominations: Second-most nominations for 2024 ceremony (behind Brothers' 15) validates quality recognition across technical and creative categories.
4 Wins 23 Total Nominations: International festival recognition demonstrates appreciation beyond domestic market indicating universal themes resonating across cultures.
Karlovy Vary Competition Selection: Crystal Globe competition premiere at country's premier festival establishes prestige positioning and critical validation.
Industry Vs. Commercial Divide: Strong industry recognition despite modest $409,084 worldwide box office demonstrates gap between critical appreciation and audience accessibility for challenging themes.
Insights: Industry Recognition Validates Artistic Achievement Despite Commercial Limitations
Industry Insights — Czech Lions Recognize Ambition: National academy appreciating socially engaged cinema addressing underrepresented experiences. Festival competition selections generate momentum carrying through awards season. Consumer Insights — Subject Matter Limits Accessibility: Intersex themes and period setting create barriers for mainstream audiences despite quality execution. Czech audiences supporting ambitious national productions through modest theatrical attendance. Brand Insights — Awards Drive International Visibility: Festival recognition enables international distribution deals beyond domestic release. Czech cinema establishing reputation for thematically sophisticated productions.
Awards success validates film as major artistic achievement within Czech cinema landscape demonstrating industry willingness honoring challenging progressive content.
Critics Reception: Universal Praise for Boldness and Central Performance
Critical response demonstrates strong appreciation for ambitious subject matter, Křenková's performance, and sophisticated execution transcending typical period drama conventions.
Variety's Bold Examination: Review praised film as "bold work that gets sense of urgency from luminous central performance" by Křenková as "young woman surrounded by powerful men who have no use for empathy or nuance."
The Wrap's Contemporary Relevance: Critics noted film "deals with issues of sexuality, and panic over sexuality, that couldn't be much more current" while using 1937 setting to "add resonance to portrait of society trying to transform itself."
Collider's Masterful Craft: Review called it "masterfully-crafted drama about privilege, prejudice, and gender identity" noting director "stands somewhere in between, presenting fictional story with contemporary concerns that still accurately reflects hardships of historical setting."
Screen International's Character Study: Critics praised film "blooms into character study, marital drama and detective mystery" while "scrutinising attitudes and arguments that persevere today" with "framing choices largely handheld and energetic."
Cineuropa's Genre Intelligence: Review appreciated "cleverly positions universally relatable narrative within confines of local setting and genre framework" noting film "intertwines period crime narrative with taboo subject of hermaphroditism in socially engaged genre flick."
Insights: Critics Appreciate Contemporary Relevance While Praising Performance and Visual Sophistication
Industry Insights — Historical Settings Enable Present Commentary: Critics recognizing period films addressing contemporary issues through temporal distance. Handheld cinematography within costume drama breaking conventional expectations generates positive attention. Consumer Insights — Audiences Value Urgency: Viewers respond to films connecting historical discrimination patterns to contemporary prejudices. Sophisticated genre work transcending typical period drama aesthetics attracts quality-seeking audiences. Brand Insights — Czech Cinema Quality Recognition: International critics appreciating sophisticated execution from emerging filmmakers. Genre intelligence combining commercial structure with thematic depth earns critical respect.
Critical reception validates film's achievement examining difficult subject matter with sophistication while delivering compelling detective narrative anchored by extraordinary central performance.
Release Strategy: Festival Prestige Leading Domestic Theatrical
Distribution approach balanced prestigious Karlovy Vary competition premiere with domestic theatrical release targeting sophisticated Czech audiences.
Karlovy Vary Competition Premiere: Crystal Globe competition selection established critical credibility and generated domestic media attention positioning film as major Czech achievement.
October 2023 Theatrical Release: Bontonfilm domestic distribution capitalized on festival momentum targeting urban sophisticated audiences interested in challenging thematic content.
LevelK International Sales: Established arthouse distributor handling international territories signals confidence in festival circuit viability beyond domestic market.
January 2025 U.S. Release: Two-year gap between Czech premiere and American availability reflects specialty arthouse distribution challenges for non-English language period dramas.
Insights: Festival Success Enables Distribution While Subject Matter Creates Commercial Challenges
Industry Insights — Competition Selections Drive Deals: Karlovy Vary premiere generates distributor interest and domestic media coverage. International sales requiring patient multi-year rollout for challenging subject regional productions. Consumer Insights — Urban Sophisticates Support Progressive Content: Czech audiences in Prague and other cities supporting thematically ambitious national cinema despite modest numbers. American specialty audiences discovering international LGBTQ+ cinema through delayed releases. Brand Insights — LevelK Positions Quality Arthouse: Distributor building reputation for socially conscious international cinema. Czech productions requiring festival validation before achieving international distribution.
Release strategy demonstrates effective pathway from festival validation through domestic theatrical to international distribution maximizing visibility within arthouse parameters.
Trends Summary: Period LGBTQ+ Cinema, Female Detective Narratives, and Intersex Representation Converge Creating Progressive Historical Drama
Film intersects trends in gender identity examination through historical settings, female-centered truth-seeking narratives, and rare authentic intersex representation.
Movie Trends | Description | Implications |
Historical LGBTQ+ Examination | Period dramas exploring gender identity and sexuality through temporal distance | Enables challenging subject examination reaching broader audiences through historical buffer |
Female Detective Protagonists | Women pursuing truth despite male establishment opposition and suppression | Privileges female agency while critiquing patriarchal power structures across eras |
Intersex Representation | Rare cinematic examination of underrepresented identity with authentic consultation | Addresses visibility gap while avoiding exploitation through community engagement |
Handheld Period Cinematography | Dynamic camera work within costume dramas breaking static conventions | Differentiates from typical period film aesthetics creating contemporary energy |
Social Trends | Description | Implications |
Gender Fluidity Recognition | Growing cultural conversation about non-binary and intersex identities | Films providing historical context for contemporary rights struggles find receptive audiences |
Progress Narrative Critique | Questioning modernization projects concealing human costs and moral compromises | Audiences responding to films examining price of industrial advancement and societal transformation |
Female Agency Under Patriarchy | Women's autonomy suppression within male-dominated systems across eras | Creates demand for narratives showing women resisting oppression and pursuing truth |
Consumer Trends | Description | Implications |
Authentic LGBTQ+ Representation | Community consultation over tokenistic inclusion or stereotypical portrayals | Audiences scrutinizing representation quality demanding genuine engagement with affected communities |
Historical Connection to Present | Period films drawing parallels between past prejudices and contemporary discrimination | Viewers appreciating temporal context illuminating ongoing struggles and systemic patterns |
Sophisticated Regional Cinema | Quality productions from smaller film industries challenging Hollywood dominance | Creates opportunities for Czech and Eastern European cinema gaining international recognition |
Final Verdict: Bold Achievement Examining Intersex Identity Through Sophisticated Period Detective Framework
"We Have Never Been Modern" delivers rare combination of challenging subject matter, visual sophistication, and authentic representation making essential viewing for progressive cinema enthusiasts.
Křenková's Career-Defining Performance: Actress creates luminous portrayal conveying complex emotional journey from prejudice to understanding through largely non-verbal work requiring extraordinary skill.
35mm Visual Excellence: Film's expensive format choice creates period authenticity and visual richness distinguishing from typical Czech productions demonstrating serious artistic commitment.
Authentic Intersex Representation: Trans community consultation and social worker casting brings genuine perspective avoiding exploitation while honoring subject self-determination.
Circular Narrative Sophistication: Structure beginning where it ends rewards attentive viewing creating deeper appreciation through complete contextual understanding of opening scene.
Insights: Artistic Ambition Addresses Underrepresented Identity While Sophisticated Execution Validates Czech Cinema Quality
Industry Insights — Regional Cinema Tackles Global Issues: Czech production addressing universal gender identity themes demonstrates national industry ambition transcending local concerns. 35mm investment signals quality prioritization enabling international competitiveness. Consumer Insights — Authenticity Drives LGBTQ+ Engagement: Community consultation creates credibility attracting audiences demanding respectful representation. Period settings provide emotional distance enabling difficult conversation accessibility. Brand Insights — Progressive Content Commands Prestige: Films addressing marginalized experiences gain festival recognition despite commercial challenges. Czech cinema establishing reputation for thematically sophisticated ambitious productions.
Film represents essential viewing demonstrating how historical settings can examine contemporary gender identity issues through detective framework privileging female truth-seeking agency.
Trends: Intersex Visibility and Progress Critique Through Period Detective Cinema
Film participates in defining trends around gender identity representation while questioning modernization narratives concealing human costs and discrimination.
Intersex Cinema Emergence: Rare films examining intersex experiences addressing visibility gap while avoiding sensationalism through authentic community engagement.
Female-Centered Period Investigations: Women pursuing truth within historical settings revealing systemic prejudices while challenging patriarchal power structures.
Progress Narrative Deconstruction: Films questioning modernization projects showing industrial advancement prioritizing profit over human dignity and truth.
Czech Cinema Internationalization: National productions achieving festival recognition through sophisticated execution tackling universal themes transcending regional limitations.
Insights: Underrepresented Identities Gain Visibility While Historical Critique Illuminates Contemporary Patterns
Industry Insights — Visibility Through Authentic Representation: Intersex experiences gaining cinematic examination through community consultation ensuring respectful portrayals. Female detective narratives providing alternative genre conventions privileging women's agency. Consumer Insights — Historical Parallels Resonate: Audiences appreciating films connecting past discrimination to contemporary prejudices. Viewers seeking authentic LGBTQ+ content supporting productions demonstrating genuine community engagement. Brand Insights — Regional Cinema Gains Recognition: Czech films achieving international distribution through quality execution and thematic ambition. Progressive content positioning as prestige differentiator within arthouse marketplace.
Implications for Entertainment Industry
Intersex Representation Increasing: Expect continued visibility for underrepresented identities through films prioritizing authentic community consultation over tokenistic inclusion.
Period Settings Enable Difficult Conversations: Historical frameworks provide emotional distance enabling gender identity examination reaching audiences beyond typical LGBTQ+ cinema consumers.
Regional Cinema International Competitiveness: Czech and Eastern European productions achieving festival recognition through sophisticated execution addressing universal themes.
Female-Centered Genre Subversion: Growing trend of women protagonists within detective and mystery frameworks challenging patriarchal genre conventions while maintaining commercial appeal.
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