The Monastery 2006

Elderly and deeply eccentric Mr Vig has long harboured the notion that the dilapidated castle he bought some years back for a song could be home to a monastery. He persuades the Russian Orthodox Church of Moscow to consider his offer and Sister Amvrosija arrives with a small entourage and plans to whip the place into shape. The place is a mess and Mr Vig's attempted cleanup with a shovel and a brush has had little effect on 20 years of accumulated dust. Sister Amvrosija insists upon extensive repairs, but Mr Vig is resistant to such drastic changes. Their contest of wills plays out in humorous, offbeat encounters that take unexpected turns. Pernille Rose Grønkjær's award-winning documentary becomes a touching portrait of a man who can be quixotic and cranky, and of a relationship between two obstinate people who find common ground. Her film is often wry, frequently amusing and always empathetic in crafting a tale about the unforeseen consequences of making dreams come true, of illusions, self-delusion and disillusionment.