Two documentaries produced by Wajda Studio, "Losing Sonia" by Radka Franczak and "3 Days of Freedom," by Łukasz Borowski, were selected for the programme of the 18th Visions du Réel Festival in Nyon, Switzerland.

"Losing Sonia" is the latest production of Wajda Studio (co-produced by Otter Films Anna Wydra), whose world premiere will take place at this year's Visions du Réel Festival (20 - 27 April), where the film will be screened in the International Competition for Middle Length Films. The Radka Franczak documentary shows how a seemingly rigid monastery can be a place full of life, beauty and artistic expression. Sonia, a young nun, paints icons in the night and then sleeps until noon. She has a dog, cats, exotic birds, and a body that rebelled against the strict rigour of the monks. Trying to understand her and the meaning of her life choices, we come to Sonia’s family, marked with the history of Russia. At the same time, the film is a journey inside the Orthodox church, showing that the deep spirituality of the nation is being reborn. "Losing Sonia" tells the story of an unusual woman who, within the walls of the monastery, is trying to rebuild the values that Russian society has lost under successive political regimes.

"Losing Sonia" is Radka Franczak's debut middle length film production. The director alludes to the topic of her previous short documentary film – "Stiepan" (produced by Wajda Studio, 2006), which was a record of a conversation with a random traveller at the train station in Terespol. In 13 minutes, a 75-year-old Russian recounts his life story – the story of a deeply religious man who, despite severe persecutions, refused to renounce his beliefs.

One of the five cameramen is Michael Ackerman, an American photographer known for his radical and unique approach to photography.

Screenings of “Losing Sonia” at Visions du Réel: 22 and 23 April