Mandragora, a film directed by Wiktor Gorecki, is a sad, viscous, and heavy-handed film of familiar (if stereotypical) themes - prostitution, drugs, self-loathing and the saddest theme of all - gay people (in this case boys) are a miserable lot doomed to a life of misery and death. Now … Ta has been around the block a time or two and has managed to experience in one way or t’other these themes and has managed to still be extremely FABULOUS (Though, ah ayum not quite as fabulous as the wonderful Lady Bunny.)

Wiktor Gorecki condemns the lifestyle and wallows in obvious sexual fascination in this drama that recounts sixteen-year-old Marek’s (Mirek Caslavka) tragic descent into prostitution, violence and drugs after he leaves his dreary small-town life for the beautiful but treacherous streets of Prague. Marek and his handsome streetwise buddy David decide to go into the teen flesh trade themselves. But kinky johns, all-too-available drugs and their own self-destructive natures propel them instead into a hellish world that offers no return.

Late into the film, Marek’s father starts making periodic appearances in a weak sub-plot about searching for his son. His character is mostly a device to keep this slow moving film … well, moving and provide a few gasps from close calls.

While some might be turned off by the inconsistencies of the script Ah believe Gorecki’s intent is to enforce the confusion Marek feels as he spins out of control.

If y’all are interested in a slow-paced dramatic film that is certainly NOT a date movie Mandragora is the film for you.

Gorecki’s two earlier films - both documentaries exploring the world of teen prostitution in Prague are “Not Angels But Angels” and “Body Without Soul.”1997, 130 min

Country: Czech Republic

Studio: Water Bearer Films

Cast: Mirek Caslavka, Pavel Skripal, David Svec, Miroslav Breu

Director: Wiktor Grodecki