Watching: Naked Nation

Overview

Hundreds of thousands of Czech men and women who travel to the seaside in Croatia every year not only shed their clothing, but also their cultural mimicry on the country’s beaches. From distinct and close encounters between Czech and Croatian people comes a documentary about the human need for the sea, saving money at all costs, and returning to the same places. This peculiar ethnographic study sparkles with tragicomedy at the moments when it most consistently applies the techniques of participant observation. Seen through Croatian eyes, it seems that Czech people truly can be recognised by the socks in their sandals, the pâté and beer in their bags, but perhaps also by their humour, which is something the locals lack.