“Valaam, island of the monks”, is a documentary by François Lespes (French Documentary Director), about the Russian Orthodox monastery of Valaam, an island in Lake Ladoga, frozen in ice eight months a year.
This documentary aims to discover the daily life of the monks, in the large main monastery, and in hermitages lost in the woods. Working the land, struggling with the elements, icon painting, Holy liturgies in the night : a life of constant struggle with themselves, rooted in prayer and perpetual obedience.
Inspired by the oldest eastern monastic traditions, this monastic life, often unknown in the West, has generated the greatest saints of Russian history.
Inspired by the oldest eastern monastic traditions, this monastic life, often unknown in the West, has generated the greatest saints of Russian history.
The film is currently under production and will be aired for the first time on the french catholic TV (KTO) during the fall of 2012, and will be available with English subtitles.
François Lespes aims to familiarize the western audience with the treasure of Orthodox spirituality, in particular the Russian Orthodox Monasticism.
