Director, Stephanie Weimar's brother Gregor, is about to make the biggest decision of his life.

He has joined the Catholic order of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) to become a missionary priest.

If he doesn't have a change of heart, he will take his final vows and commit to a life of chastity, poverty, obedience and service to the Catholic Church. Stephanie is highly critical of his choice. My Brother's Vows is Stephanie's attempt to understand her brother's extreme decision and explore his world behind the thick monastery walls.

My Brother's Vows is a candid and sensitive portrait of Gregor's journey to priesthood - his trials, tribulations and triumphs during this intense time. As Gregor opens up his life and shares his innermost feelings, he grapples with the idea of a life without sex, without a family and in total service to god. The film also shines a light on the bigger questions - of having purpose in life, of the power and illusiveness of faith and of the courage required to pursue a higher calling in today's financially-driven world.

As Gregor and Stephanie struggle to understand each other, the audience will meet a group of monks that defy all stereotypes. The film offers a brutally honest and heartbreakingly touching look at a world that is usually carefully shielded from public view. My Brother's Vows is a beautiful exploration of modern monastic life that calls into question everything you thought you knew about the Catholic Church and of one young man's search for his place in the world.

Credits

Written by Stephanie Weimar
Directed by Stephanie Weimar
Produced by Stephanie Weimar, Rieke Brendel
Executive producer: by Frederic Bohbot & André Schäfer
Production manager: Oliver Bätz
Distributed by Bunbury Films And Florian Films (Europe)
 
Produced in association with Arte (Germany)

Specifications

Genre: Documentary
Category: Society, Religion
Production year: 2013
Language: German with English subtitles

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