Zdislava of Lemberk

The story follows the childhood and early spiritual awakening of Zdislava of Lemberk (born after 1220), growing up in the exemplary, pious and educated environment of Křižanov Castle and Brno. Thanks to the influence of her parents, especially her father, a knight-monk, and her mother, a lady-in-waiting from Sicily, Zdislava discovers a love of solitude, compassion for the sick, and a desire for a life dedicated to God. Small escapes into the woods, prayers at ponds and monasteries gradually shape her character as a merciful and pious woman.

The place of action

• Křižanov Castle (Zdar region): the family castle and the environment of family values
• Brno Court/Purcracy: her father's work as purgrave and Zdislava's upbringing
• The forests and ponds around Křižanov: the place of her escapes to nature and prayers
• Monasteries (probably Cistercian): her first spiritual inspiration and education

Characters

• Zdislava of Lemberk - a young girl with deep piety, an inner desire to pray and help others
• Přibyslav of Křížanov - father, nobleman and purgatory, knight outside, monk inside; strong spiritual role model;
• Sybil of Sicily - mother, a cultured and pious lady-in-waiting, bringing southern culture into the family or monasteries;
• Younger siblings - three sisters (Euphemia, Eliška, Libuše) and brother Peter - part of the family environment;

History and cultural context

• Zdislava was born after 1220 near Velky Mezirici, at a time when Moravia and Bohemia were undergoing social and spiritual transformations
• The upbringing environment of Křižanov Castle, with its purgatorial responsibilities and connections to monasteries (her father was a supporter of the Cistercians and Minorites), was crucial to her spiritual formation;
• Even as a child, she spent time alone in nature - forests and ponds - where a longing for God's presence matured in her; she imitated the hermits, fasted, and began a life transformation;

In the film, the plot could unfold from quiet psychological scenes to a moment of enlightenment within nature. Intimate moments could be included - a family dinner, a conversation with her father and mother about God, a secret walk to the pond, her first visions of monastic life. At the same time, one can hint at the growing desire in Zdislava's consciousness to help the poor, which would later result in her public ministry and canonization.

Czech historical film based on the novel by Alena Vrbová
Directed and written by Ludvík Ráža. Starring: Milena Steinmasslová, Boris Rösner, Radoslav Brzobohatý, Josef Kemr and others, produced 1994.

Inspired by Alena Vrbová's biographical novel In the Crest of the Lioness, director Ludvík Ráža focuses on the last seven years of the heroine's life, presenting Zdislava of Lemberk as a spirited and loving woman whose rational interest in medical procedures foreshadows Renaissance thinking.