Of Gods and Men (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2011)

What is refreshing about the popular and critical success of Of Gods and Men (winner the Grand Prix at Cannes 2010) is not that it is particularly experimental or challenging, but rather that it avoids going either for the populist crowd-pleasing angle or the tear-jerker that its real-life inspiration seems to demand. The film is based on a true story of a small community of Cistercian monks in Tibhirine in Algeria caught up in the country's political troubles during the 1990s. The monks regard it as their duty to bring aid and provide medicine for the local villagers who are suffering because of the local unrest and the battles between the national army and Islamic fundamentalists, but they risk incurring the wrath not only of the fundamentalists through their spreading of Christian beliefs, but also the Algerian army who believe that they may be giving aid and medicine to wounded militants.

It would be all too easy to let the divide that exists in this situation and the choice that is faced by the monks to remain simplistic should they stay or should they go? Even though there are some reservations expressed, there is never any doubt that the monks will come to the logical Christian conclusion and stay. What is rather more impressive however is how the director refuses to allow this decision to be seen, as it would in a more conventional film, as simply an act of heroism or bravery. The situation is not exploited shamelessly for heavy-handed sentimentality as it would be in a Hollywood production, but rather it goes deeper into the qualities that lie behind courage and potential martyrdom. What the monks have to grapple with are their own doubts, their own flaws, their own fears their very humanity. It is not weak to confront these fears, but the true measure of the men is in how they come to terms with their human weaknesses without denying them.

Beauvois manages to draw the essential truth and beauty out of the film, and at the same time protect it from the intrusive elements that could indeed diminish its force, simply showing the closeness of their brotherhood, their willingness to understand and forgive, and their ability to reflect deeply not so much on the decision that must be taken whether to stay or to leave, but on a deep search into themselves for the heartfelt truth. These kind of reflections and questions are not so easy to put up on the screen without troublesome exposition, but Beauvois manages to show simply and effectively how the monks find this truth in their daily routines and in the simplicity of their lifestyle. It all comes down to life and the love of life itself, and the simple pleasures that can be gained from it.

This film is based on the true story of a group of monks during the recent civil war in Algeria. There is a beauty in their devotion to the poverty stricken local residents, whom they serve with warmth and simplicity.

As the real world intrudes on their quiet labor, they must confront some essential questions that could affect their prospects of survival. Should they accept an armed guard from a government with little legitimacy? Should they leave? Should they attempt to build a respectful relationship with the fundamentalist rebels who menacingly visit them? Can they abandon their mission? Their struggle with these questions forms the basis of the film's plot. While slow if you are used to hollywood action, it is completely believable, with every scene pregnant with psychological nuance and internal turmoil.

With subtle elegance, the climax of the film occurs when the monks come to their decision over a meal, together listening to music on a crude cassette player and weeping at their intimacy and commitment to the community. Even though I am not a believer, it brought tears to my eyes to witness the holiness and devotion of these men as they labored in obscurity and accepted their fate.

I saw this in Paris, where it was much discussed as an "event film". The Parisians took this as art that made an important statement and deserved to be viewed seriously and debated. This is an interesting contrast to the film experience elsewhere, whether you think it pretentious or not.

Warmly recommended.

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Something happens to the human heart while experiencing OF GODS AND MEN: the reminder of our responsibility to not only those we love but also to the betterment of the human condition no matter the cultural differences is overwhelming. Would that this film could be required viewing for every global citizen! We might, just might, begin to grow not only more tolerant of other people's beliefs but embrace them as fellow beings and in doing so, end the clangorous need for war.

Xavier Beauvois both wrote (with some assistance from scenarist Etienne Comar) and directed this film that is as much a work of art as it is a deeply moving story. The film was first released in France as 'Des hommes et des dieux' to high acclaim: hopefully it will have the same impact here in this country. Based on a true story, the time is in the 1990s, the place Algeria during their Civil War. A Trappist Monastery is the home of eight devout elderly monks, each performing the duties to allow them to exist off the land and serve the poverty stricken Algerian village near by. The head of the monastery is Christian (an elegant and tender Lambert Wilson), the old physician Luc (Michael Lonsdale) serves the physical needs of the impoverished Muslim villagers, and the rest of the monks tend the gardens for food, and study, and rise each morning to begin a day of prayers and masses. These gentle, wise old men are Christophe (Olivier Rabourin), Célestin (Philippe Laudenbach), Amédée (Jacques Herlin), Jean-Pierre (Loïc Pichon), Michel (Xavier Maly), and Paul (Jean-Marie Frin). A group of terrorists crash the monastery in an attempt to get medicine and food and challenge the 'heretic' monks (the terrorists are Islamics), but the strength of the monks and the quiet faith of Christian manages to head them off. As the radical Islamic terrorists begin killing foreigners the monks must make a decision to flee to safety or remain at their posts as nourishers of the little village they tend. The human side of the monks shows in the fear of survival , but the strength of their faith and their commitment to their people makes the decision to stay unanimous. The fact that the terrorists are Islamic is not seen as a difference in their humanity. History has already provided the ending, but the manner in which the monks are driven away from their monastery is not only desperately moving but also uplifting in the manner in which these devoted men face their fate.

Every actor in this film is an experienced French actor and their performances defy description except to say that to the man they are brilliant. Lambert Wilson and Michael Lonsdale are particularly eloquent. The film is in French but with little spoken dialogue: much of the film is the camera (by cinematographer Caroline Champetier) pausing on the monks at prayer, singing masses, or simply close-up face shots of these well-worn faces. Almost every frame of this film could be a Renaissance painting. The music for the film is limited to the chanting and singing of masses (breathtakingly beautiful) except for a small but poignant Christmas celebration when the monks share a glass of wine from Luc and listen to an old tape of Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake'. The simplicity of the lives of these Trappist monks, their spiritual faith, and their bonding to the villagers they serve and to each other is powerful. Understatement rules, especially the indescribably beautiful final scenes as the story disappears into the snowy fog. Few films will move the viewer as deeply as this miracle of a film. Grady Harp, April 11

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Just watched the movie twice on board Singapore Airlines. This movie is slow for todays world but if you are patient enough you will be greatly encouraged. It is a true story and the commitment and the love that the monks display is great and brought tears to my eyes. I would say a "must watch" and I look forward to see it on DVD or itunes.

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Excellence expressed in so many ways.

The storyline is excellent. A true story with historic events which create an intense human drama that is skillfully portrayed.

The acting is superb by every cast member.

A well-crafted script where an economy of words proves less is better when every word carries significant impact.

The cinematography is the best I recall, where each scene speaks more clearly than words.

The direction is all-inclusive of every detail, bringing the characters up-close and personal.

And the underlying allegory is superbly reflected in more than a few scenes.

To describe the movie as inspirational is of great understatement. It is like participating in a spiritual retreat within two hours.

Of Gods and Men is the hallmark of cinema as art. A movie worth seeing again.

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