After two decades in a Belarusian Orthodox monastery, Vera reflects on her unexpected path to nunhood, rooted in a history of addiction. Facing her lingering guilt, she finds herself at a crossroads between her monastic sanctuary and an uncertain future. With a poignant gaze, Vera’s quiet journey of self-examination offers an intimate glimpse into the complexities of faith, recovery, and personal transformation within cloistered walls.
United Kingdom, 2024, 91 min, Russian, English, French with English and Bulgarian subtitles
Director: Cécile Embleton & Alys Tomlinson
Scriptwriter: Cécile Embleton & Alys Tomlinson
DOP: Cécile Embleton
Music: Leonardo Cauteruccio
Director’s Biography:
Cécile Embleton is an English-French documentary director. Mother Vera is her first feature-length documentary. The film premiered in competition at Vision du Réel 2024, won the Grierson Award for best documentary at London Film Festival, and first Prize at Festival Dei Popoli. Alys Tomlinson’s photographic work explores ritual, belonging and identity. She was named Sony Photographer of the Year for her black and white pilgrimage series Ex-Voto and the work was published by GOST Books in 2019.