Synopsis
For several decades the Hospital of the Bethlehem monastery in Ludwigslust has enjoyed an exceptional reputation throughout Mecklenburg, thanks to the dedicated activity of the deaconesses who have served here since its foundation by Helene von Bülow 150 years ago. With entry into the monastery and their confirmation as deaconesses the women devote themselves to celibacy and a life without possessions in order to attend entirely to children and the sick and their big family in the deaconal community. Spread all over Mecklenburg, the sisters work in hospitals, mental institutions and homes for blind and old people. They have also operated prison hospital wards, and founded the first playschools within the country. The film grants insight into the life of the last remaining deaconesses, some of whom are now very old, and poses the question about the meaning of belief and human solidarity. Film location: Stift Bethlehem / Ludwigslust, Germany Production: Basthorster Filmmanufaktur Dieter Schumann Schlossstr. 27 19089 Crivitz / Basthorst, Germany tel.: +49 (0) 3863-555852 dieter-schuhmann@web.de
