Anca Hirte

What does it mean to “live” after experiencing war? Four Romanian survivors of the Afghanistan conflict share — for the first time — their invisible wounds and path to recovery.

“I’ve been a robber, a thief, a thug. I blew my veins out, I drank, I drank and I fucked chicks. I never stole from the poor. I’m HIV-positive since 16 years. I’m repenting over time. I cleaned myself from my sins. I committed offenses but I never took a human life away. Not yet. Haven’t got an abortion either. These are mortal sins - and as for the others, I paid already. I’ve been the worst of bitches but in this life already I’ve seen the light. My name is Stela, I’m 42 years old and I spent 10 of them in jail. Chaos is my life.”

Documentary about a young Romanian Orthodox novice undergoing the rite to become a nun.