One Step behind the Seraphim

15-year-old Gabriel wants to become a priest and enrolls in an Orthodox seminary. The boy soon discovers that the place is run by a morally corrupt system. Caught in a fight for power between an incorruptible but abusive priest and a cunning, crooked and unscrupulous teacher, Gabriel starts lying, stealing and cheating as well in order to survive in the seminary.

Daniel Sandu’s feature debut is inspired by Sandu’s own experience attending the St. George Orthodox Theological Seminary in Romania. The film won eight Romanian Academy Awards, including best film, filmmaker and actor.

Feature Debut