The documentary will delve into the remarkable personality of Catherine Jagiellon, exploring the traits that enabled her to thrive and achieve her goals amidst the brutal 16th-century landscape of male-dominated power and relentless warfare. Historians from Lithuania, Poland, Finland, and Sweden will offer insights into the pivotal events of her life. The film will also showcase the significant castles that served as backdrops to Catherine's story.

"When organizing the filming in Sweden and Finland, we wanted to showcase the most important places associated with the life of Catherine Jagiellon. These include Gripsholm Castle, where she was imprisoned and gave birth to two children. Uppsala Cathedral, where she is buried and where some of her surviving treasures can be seen, as well as the Royal Palace in Stockholm. In Finland, the creative team filmed at Turku Castle, where Catherine Jagiellon and her husband John III Vasa lived for almost nine months after their wedding, until the castle was besieged and war broke out with the Swedes," said Ilona Skujaitė, co-author of the screenplay and international relations coordinator of the documentary’s creative team.

Documentary film director and producer Gitana Platakytė says that the filming was an incredibly exciting experience that she aims to convey to the viewers: 'We would like to thank Aušra Visockė and Rūta Smertinienė, members of the Lithuanian Professionals in Stockholm Club, for their help in organizing the filming and arranging a meeting with Lithuanian people in Sweden."

This documentary will break from the traditional historical format. Instead of a mere recitation of past events, it will explore the enduring relevance of Catherine Jagiellon's life for contemporary audiences. Catherine's journey — marked by profound personal challenges and transformative growth before ascending the throne — serves as a powerful source of inspiration. It encourages viewers to cultivate self-acceptance, discover inner strength, and embrace change with courage.

To bridge the gap between Catherine's era and the present, the film will feature historians and self-improvement specialists. Employing a diverse range of psychological practices and techniques, these experts will guide participants in exploring Catherine Jagiellon's experiences. By reflecting on their own lives within this framework, participants will convey the profound impact of Catherine's story while simultaneously deepening their own self-awareness.

Film director Gitana Platakytė and Lithuanian-Swedish citizen Aušra Visockė during the filming at the Stockholm Royal Palace, standing next to the preserved armor of Sigismund II Augustus.

Objects belonging to Catherine Jagiellon and a fragment of her tombstone in Uppsala Cathedral.

Photos from Aušra Visockė's archive.