Darina (2024)

Breaking traditions, embracing faith: a woman that was called to lead.

In 1940, a young, aspiring theologian, Darina, attends a college admission interview for religious studies. She has to convince three professors that she deserves to be at the University, even though no other women were admitted before. A short film based on the real life of the first female Lutheran pastor in Slovakia and her diary, who infiltrated into the man’s world of the Church, Darina Bancikova.

My vision

This project originates way back from when I wasn't even in high school. I came across Darina Bancikova and her unbelievable story during a project called "Nenapadni Hrdinovia" or "Invisible Heroes" that I took part in. It was a research project to encourage young people in Slovakia to investigate, study and look for heroes from the past that might have been overlooked or not many people know about. Me and my other classmates with the support of our teacher chose to dive deeper into Darina's life and wrote an extensive paper based on what we found in archives, books, interviews and from people that knew her and were still alive.

Her story never left me since. More than ten years later, her diary came out as a book that my aunt (also a Lutheran pastor in Slovakia) helped put together and this book called "Prebytocny Clovek" or "Redundant Person" which served as the base for this short film. I wanted to encompass Darina's experience in a single interview that defined her life. The interview is more like a trial in which Darina has to stand in front of three authorities and stand up for herself, her faith and what she believes is destined to be. In many ways, this short film reminds me of and is inspired by Dreyer's 1928 classic film "The Passion of Joan of Arc" as it is also a fight of a woman for what she believes is her Truth and her calling. These women were many times considered outcasts of the society or are labeled as crazy, particularly when it comes to religion.

Recent film by Edward Berger "Conclave" (2024) also reminded me why I was so drawn to Darina's story. It's about the silent strength of women in Church and their invisible yet powerful influence they change the Church where the decisions are made by men. Isabella Rossellini stars as Sister Agnes, and in one of her very few lines she says; "Although we Sisters are supposed to be invisible, God has nevertheless given us eyes and ears."

Darina's story is way richer and complex than what I am able to capture in this short film. It serves as a proof of concept that I hope will eventually turn into a feature film. In many ways, this interview is more of a beginning of Darina's journey to become the first female Lutheran pastor. My one question I kept thinking of during making this film was whether she would undergo this interview again if she knew what challenges and struggles await her next.

Darina's story, her resilience and passion resonates with me on a deep level and I hope it will inspire the audience as well to fight for what is meaningful and never give up.

Premiere of "Darina" with cast, crew and friends. BTS by Alice Fois