TRF Puzik ENPRO

Genre: Documentary
Format: PAL / SECAM, DV-Cam, DV-Avi
Runtime: 25:44 min
Languages: RU (orig.), EN
Trailers: 1:25 (EN); 2:01 (Music); 3:33 (EN)

Topic: Valentina Puzik was a prominent tuberculosis specialist and secretly Sister Ignatiya at the same time. She took the veil during the fateful post-revolutionary years, blessed by her spiritual father Ignatiy (Lebedev), whose prayers on earth and in Heaven illuminated Valentina’s “unclouded and joyful course of life”.

Plot: "That's how I lived..." are the introductory words of the protagonist, Valentina Puzik, who tells with her own words the story of her life. Nearly 100 years old, the lovely lady tells first about her work as professor at the Institute of Tuberculosis. Later we hear some statements of colleges of Valentina with some anecdotes about her. Valentina goes on to tell about her life, her spiritual development, and her secret monastic vows and life, all rounded up by the explaining notes of the narrator. Some quotations from letters of the fathers with whom Valentina stood in contact make the spectator understand the hardship of the Soviet era, especially for the clergy. Being a renown scientist, although no party member and therefore not admitted to more important responsibilities, she had occasion to give lectures and participate in conferences also abroad, and thus made contact with many important scientists all over the world. But nobody ever suspected of the fact that she was a secret nun. Her scientific and theological writings cause admiration in scientific circles until today. The film closes with the celebration of Valentina Puzik's 100th birthday, where we had the honor to participate.

Artistic Considerations: The charming style in which Valentina tells her story warms the hard of the spectator. With humour and simplicity she touches a theme which until short time ago would have been impossible to talk about openly. Historic film and photo material complete the picture. The music is composed and recorded especially for the movie, respecting the moods and expressions of each moment.