Erotikon: A Silent Film That Broke Taboos Before The Age of Ecstasy

Restored Erotikon to Premiere with New Score by Jana Vöröšová

Gustav Machatý’s 1929 film Erotikon, a landmark of Czech cinema, will receive a restored premiere at the Smetana Hall of the Municipal House in Prague on January 20th. The screening will be accompanied by a new symphonic composition by contemporary composer Jana Vöröšová, as the original score is lost. The film is being presented by the National Film archive (NFA).

A Controversial Classic

Erotikon, known for its frank depiction of human relationships, caused a scandal upon its initial release due to its perceived moral impropriety. However,it was largely praised by critics at the time. A review in Český filmový zpravodaj (Czech Film News) lauded Machatý’s direction, stating, “no other Czech director has gone as far and as consistently as Machatý in portraying life, its turns, suffering, and passion!” The German-language Prager Film-Kurier described the film as “an artistically highly valuable commercial success of European standard, the best of all films so far made in Prague.”

Vöröšová’s Approach to Scoring Erotikon

Vöröšová,known for her work in film and classical music,was drawn to the film’s “immense visual beauty.” She also appreciates the pacing of Machatý’s work, noting, “It doesn’t attack, but allows the viewer to breathe and reflect,” as reported by the NFA.

To create the score,Vöröšová developed a thematic system. “I worked a bit like on an opera with motifs linked to individual protagonists and situations,” she explained. “So you can observe a ‘Letter’ theme, a ‘Love’ theme, and so on. But the brain is an amazing thing and can process and react to all sorts of stimuli. And often surprises you with how it finds parallels and connections where none were even intended.”

About the Film

Key Takeaways

• Erotikon, a 1929 Czech film by Gustav Machatý, is being presented with a restored version and a new score.
• The new score was composed by Jana Vöröšová, who was inspired by the film’s visual beauty and pacing.
• The film was controversial upon release but received positive critical reception.
• The premiere will take place at the Smetana Hall of the Municipal House in Prague on January 20, 2026.