Darina Stepankova

Karel is a passionate gamekeeper. He has been taking good care of the forest and there are many enviable trophies in his collection. In a remote part of the forest, poachers waken a creature who could prove to be Karel's equal.

Maria Shtepa, a UPA veteran from Chortkiv, began her journey as a young liaison for the UPA, carrying out missions until betrayal led to her capture by the NKVD. She endured severe torture and a 10-year prison sentence, during which she documented the stories of her comrades and fellow prisoners. After her release, she returned to her hometown and now resides in the former NKVD prison building, which is now a Caritas shelter. Despite the haunting memories, Maria’s spirit remains unbroken, and she has become a writer dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of those who sacrificed their lives for Ukraine’s freedom.