The Master

Director:

Mitko Panov

Producer:

Simeon Damevski, Ljupcho Todorovski-Upa

Screen Writer:

Ljupcho Todorovski-Upa

Brief Synopsis:

All Christian churches in the Ottoman Empire had to be built one step below the ground, so as to be lower than Turkish mosques. Prompted by the new Sultan's Decree of Equality for all citizens, the Master builder decides to build the first church which would be on the same level with Turkish mosques. The local Turkish Lord, who despises the Sultan, arrests the Master builder and orders him to lower the church to the usual position. Out of fear of the Lord’s reprisal, the village Priest requests the same. The Master refuses and proceeds with his work despite their continuing demands to do otherwise. All the while, he teaches his son about spirituality and integrity, so as to help him grow into a good man. The Master is finally excommunicated. Left without any support from the village, he continues to build on his own. When the villagers try to stop him by threatening to tear down the church if he doesn't return the money they donated for it, he sells his house to pay them. But, the Turkish Lord returns on Forgiveness Day with an ultimatum – The Master's head or the church. The Master decides to put his head to the log. He is immediately joined by his wife, his son and, finally, by all of the villagers. The Lord is left with no alternative but to admit defeat. He grants the Master his life and his church, then leaves to die fighting the Sultan. The villagers all extend forgiveness to each other.