The interior world of women answering an irresistible call

Nature · Published 30 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: This 1975 documentary explores the profound internal lives of nuns during a period of significant upheaval. It examines what happens when individuals commit to serving God through the traditional vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience.

The film captures a specific historical moment in 1975 where religious orders were undergoing "anxious change." Over the preceding decade, nuns had been directed to re-evaluate the values associated with their three core vows, placing them under immense pressure to reconcile tradition with new perspectives.

By looking into their inner worlds, the documentary seeks to understand the personal experience of women who choose a life of complete service. It serves as a historical record of the spiritual and social tensions facing religious life in the mid-1970s.

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