

Before the Light
Svārstības
Synopsis
Emotionally charged story about three women standing against male dominated church preventing them from following their calling to serve God and their communities. Protestan female ministers who wish to serve God, the Church and people as pastors in today’s Latvia can only do that under the wing of foreign churches. Latvia is the only country in the world whose official Lutheran church has banned ordination of women after successfully practicing it for two decades. While some of the women ministers, refusing to accept this, leave the country to build lives as fully-fledged pastors elsewhere in the world, others carry on serving as second-rate assistants or other church workers. However, today there are female theologians who are ready to fight for a future in more equal society thus ending the discrimination based on ‘other sex’ or ‘wrong’ gender. The road towards changes leads through frustrations, confidence and doubts, obedience and rebellion.
Release History & Theatrical Window
Nordic Film Days Lübeck
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Kristine Briede
- Screenplay & Story
- Kristine Briede
- Original Score
- Sniedze Prauliņa, Rihards Zaļupe
- Original Title
- Svārstības
- Country of Origin
- Latvia
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 17m
- Production Studios
- Baltic Balkan Productions, Rucka Art Foundation
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Kristine Briede
Kristine Briede
Sniedze Prauliņa, Rihards Zaļupe
Jānis Šēnbergs
Andris Grants
Ieva Ūbele
Department Leadership Roster
Kristine Briede
Director
Jānis Šēnbergs
Director of Photography
Ieva Ūbele
Producer
Andris Grants
Editor
Kristine Briede
Writer
Rihards Zaļupe
Original Music Composer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Before the Light.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Before the Light
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Before the Light about?
Emotionally charged story about three women standing against male dominated church preventing them from following their calling to serve God and their communities. Protestan female ministers who wish to serve God, the Church and people as pastors in today’s Latvia can only do that under the wing of foreign churches. Latvia is the only country in the world whose official Lutheran church has banned ordination of women after successfully practicing it for two decades. While some of the women ministers, refusing to accept this, leave the country to build lives as fully-fledged pastors elsewhere in the world, others carry on serving as second-rate assistants or other church workers. However, today there are female theologians who are ready to fight for a future in more equal society thus ending the discrimination based on ‘other sex’ or ‘wrong’ gender. The road towards changes leads through frustrations, confidence and doubts, obedience and rebellion.
Who directed Before the Light?
Before the Light was directed by Kristine Briede.
Who stars in Before the Light?
The principal cast of Before the Light includes Not specified.
When was Before the Light released and how long is it?
Before the Light was released in 2023 with a total runtime of 1h 17m.
Who composed the musical score for Before the Light?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Before the Light was composed by Sniedze Prauliņa, Rihards Zaļupe.
