Rent Mandragora (1997)

Sad story - Mandragora review by CP Customer

Marek has left his village for Prague - he's a naive teenage boy; it seems VERY naive, but he soon learns a lesson about living on his own in a big city, where you shouldn't expect help from anyone, but only abuse and degradation. The film is based on true stories from boys, so it's apparently semidocumentary, although it seems astonishingly that a teenager can be so naive, but OK this is in the 90's in the Czech Rep. Be prepared for some tough stuff when the boys have to do their business with some perverts.

A must see film. - Mandragora review by SKC

Whilst many people, especially men, prefer to bury their heads in the sand, its a known fact that 25% of all users of prostitutes in the UK are seeing male prostitutes. Whilst misandry would prefer to keep the notion of victim hood a female issue, this film provides a very hard hitting and true to life depiction of the reality that these boys experience.

With some shocking scenes of upper class objectification and the notion that money can buy a person, to extreme violence and drug taking. This film provides a hard hitting wake up call for those interested in the B side of life. The side of life people choose to ignore.

Not for the faint hearted, there are scenes that I personally found to be sick and disturbing. Especially the depiction of the young. But the film provides an insight into the lives of the exploited boys. Set in the 1990s as the former eastern block countries re-establish themselves, this film depicts something that is going on in all major cities to this day. Often glossed over and contrary to the modern gay world with is endless depictions of male sex work being nothing but a lifestyle choice and indeed, the move into pornography as an ideal alternative to regular lifestyles, the notion of fame and recognition from such work veils the reality and consequences that many people experience post prostitution.

Check out some of the documentaries produced by Wiktor Grodecki for further insight into this subject.

Dark and sad - Mandragora review by TB

This film is a raw depictation of the dark and sick world of prostitution and how young and vulnerable children are getting caught up in this twisted world. The film caught have been shorter and would've had the same dramatic impact.