More than a century after her death, a Catholic nun known as Veronica of the Passion is venerated for her mission to transform women’s education in India. On Holy Week, the most sacred time of year for Christians, a documentary drama about Mother Veronica is being made available to stream for free on Tubi and other platforms.
Strange Destiny, written and directed by Jigyasa Taneja Sethi, tells the story of Sophie Leeves, born in 1823 to British parents living in Constantinople (present day Istanbul). “At 19, Sophie was engaged to a Marine officer,” narration in the film notes. “She could look forward to a wonderful married life, but a far higher destiny awaited her.”
Saadhika Syal as Sophie/Mother Veronica in ‘Strange Destiny’
Jam Productions/Triangle Road Entertainment
Though her parents were Protestant, Leeves felt drawn to Catholic ritual and practice. A religious calling would take the young woman first to Malta, then to France where she entered a convent and received the name Veronica of the Passion.
“This inspiring feature is the perfect spiritual watch for the Easter season,” a release states. “Based on the autobiography of Mother Veronica, Strange Destiny offers an intimate, never-before-seen cinematic interpretation of the life of a spiritual and religious giant whose story has remained largely hidden from public awareness. With a soul-stirring narrative and a striking visual style, the film traces the journey of a young nun who dares to challenge colonial, cultural, and institutional norms to establish a foundation for educating women in India.”
Jam Productions/Triangle Road Entertainment
Strange Destiny is produced by Jam Productions and Triangle Road Entertainment, with Jacques Derosena and Shaeda Moghaddam serving as key members of the production team. The film stars Saadhika Syal as Sophie/Mother Veronica; Hella Stichlmair, Aleksei Danilov, Sr. Sweedal A.c, Hemant Ingle, Jacques Démolis, and Dominique Barrène.
The cinematography is by Vishal Bawa and Mehmat Burak Yilmaz; Tushar Manocha edited the film. The film’s original score is composed by Grammy– and Emmy-nominated musician Annette Philip alongside Anindo Bose.
Strange Destiny was “filmed with the generous support of the Apostolic Carmel in Pau and the Cloistered Carmel in Bayonne [France],” the release notes. “Strange Destiny is not just a film—it is a tribute to the transformative power of faith, education, and perseverance.”
Content shared from deadline.com.