Monk Arsenije | Winner | Serbest International Film Festival
Directed by: Svetlana Cemin
Project Type: Documentary
Country of Filming: Serbia, United States
Runtime: 51 minutes 44 seconds
Overview
The intimate portrait of Monk Arsenie, once a Belgradian cult figure from the ’80s who has been living as a monk for the past 30 years, is engaged in restoring and creating a spiritual and cultural center in the Monastery of Ribnica, which had been destroyed by the Turks in the 19th century. Reminiscing on his complex past, Father Arsenie takes us into his daily activities as a monk: prayer, service, and culturing Orthodoxy come first. Yet, monk Arsenie is also a very talented painter, writer, and sculptor. As we listen to him answer questions on faith and finding love for God, we also discover his artistic creativity. Through Arsenie’s meditative and artistic process, his journey towards Orthodoxy and his complete dedication to spiritual life unravels, bringing us to back his years as a young man in New York. This intimate portrait of a modern and unconventional monk with a higher cause is accompanied by the unparalleled beauty of the landscapes that surround the Monastery of Ribnica.
Director Biography
Svetlana Cemin is a writer, director, producer, and the founder of 610FILM, a Brooklyn-based art-house film production company. Her vision is to create experimental art films as well as documentaries and feature films that promote the work of artists and art in general. She was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and has been living and working on the New York-Paris route for many years. Prior to becoming an award-winning filmmaker, she worked as an internationally renowned fashion model and as an actress.
Director Statement
I dedicated this film to Monk Arsenie, a friend from my youth, someone who impressed me with his transformation from an avangarde artist to a spiritual leader of Serbia.
