God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya

In a small Macedonian town, Epiphany Day turns into a wild public ritual when Petrunya leaps into the river to retrieve the sacred cross. She beats the other divers to it, an act that splits the crowd into fevered supporters and furious detractors. The moment pushes her into the glare of townsfolk, clergy, and journalists, who press questions of faith, gender and tradition. As Petrunya refuses to back down, the story follows her path through scrutiny and controversy, without softening the cost she pays for stepping into a ritual usually reserved for men. The film keeps the focus on character and consequence rather than sensational twists. The tension grows as neighbors watch her every move with mixed curiosity and judgment.

Directed by Teona Strugar Mitevska, the film is built from an original screenplay by Elma Tataragić. It released in 2019 with Zorica Nusheva starring as Petrunija and Labina Mitevska among the leads. The script keeps focus on character over spectacle.

Critics note the film's restrained storytelling and its focus on Petrunya's dignity under pressure. The drama foregrounds how gender expectations shape public judgment while avoiding easy answers, inviting viewers to weigh faith, tradition, and the price of challenging norms. Its pacing lets scenes breathe and the cost to her lingers.

The movie sparked conversations in Macedonia about women's participation in long standing rites and the wider question of equality. It put a spotlight on a regional story and fed debates in press and cinema circles about gender in public life. Critics praised Nusheva's performance and the film's humane eye overall.

Box office details are not widely reported; the film traveled to festivals across Europe and the Balkans and had limited theatrical release outside its home region. It appeared in several European festivals and earned viewers in art house cinema spaces.