The series of photographs in black and white technique, describing the house and  circumstances of homeless people living near Moscow in a small village forest, surrounded by  pines and the local community. 

I met them when I found out about the closed groups with strong inner rules and  hierarchical structures. At first glance, it seemed like a cult, a strange family with “The Father,”  who was the CEO of the shelter, and specific conditions for the “children.” Then, step by step, I  figured out that their way of life was based on religion, labor, discipline, and subordination. 

Every day they pray. Every day, they work on the farm with chickens, pigs, goats, and  rabbits. Every day, they spend hours making handmade toys. Women sew; men work with wood.  Every week, they are allowed to go to the city by train for a walk. Every week, they receive a small  salary, which they spend on cigarettes. That’s all the money they have. 

Alcohol is strictly banned. For breaking the rules, any member may be excluded. They can  return, but only under specific conditions. It may seem like exile, but they cannot leave  permanently, because this house is like a boat in the stormy sea—without it, they would lose  themselves. 

In the beginning, I asked myself what keeps them there, what makes them return from  the hungry streets filled with alcohol to this house with strict rules. I hope this series shows the  answer. 

To capture them and their stories, I spent each weekend traveling to the house. Each trip  took about 6–8 hours, talking with everyone and asking how they ended up on the street and  why they came to the house. Their stories are reflected in their portraits.

By Anna Gileva