Before the Light

For 20 years, Latvian female theologians worked as pastors, but as of 1993 the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church, the largest evangelical church in Latvia, no longer ordains women. While some refuse to accept the abolition of the ordination of women and leave the country to work elsewhere, others remain to serve as assistants or occupy other positions in the church. The film takes a look at three women theologians who want to dedicate their lives to God and their congregations, but are hampered professionally by the discriminatory decisions of the church leadership. As the male pastor preaches to the faithful during the service, they stand in the background or on the sidelines. The discomfort that comes with this exclusion can be read from their faces. Obedience is an important principle in the church, but the women have gradually begun to unite and fight for their rights.