Review: Of Gods and Men

Why Not Productions/Armada Films/France 3 Cinema/Canal +

This is a time when I'm really thankful for the way Europeans, specifically the French, make movies. Unlike Americans who have the attention span of an ADD five-year old, the French tend to take their time in movies. They don't care if Americans call it 'slow' or whatnot, it's all about the pacing, telling the whole story, and getting it right. That's something director Xavier Beauvois understands very well, and it was especially important for the making of 'Of Gods and Men.'

In Algeria, in the mid 1990's, fundamentalist terrorist groups began attacking at different locations around the country, specifically targeting foreigners. A few such instances occur near the monastery of Tibhirine where a group of Trappist monks live alongside a Muslim community. They give the villagers medical aid and grow all of their own supplies and sell honey they make in the market. Other than helping the villagers, the brothers spend their time studying, praying, singing, and eating together. Beauvois' handling of the material and the cinematography of Caroline Champetier perfectly capture the simplicity, commitment, and quietness of the monks life. Lead by brother Christian (Lambert Wilson), the monks must decide whether to stay with the villagers the monastery has cared for for decades or flee from the growing danger of the terrorists.

Why Not Productions/Armada Films/France 3 Cinema/Canal +

It's very strange that a movie so steeped in Christian doctrine and lifestyles would come out of France, a country generally known for its secularism and atheism. Furthermore, the film garnered very positive critical acclaim (as well as a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes) from French critics and went on to win the Grand Prix at Cannes, the Cesar Awards (France's equivalent of the Oscars), and was chosen as France's submission to the Academy for best foreign film. Sadly, it wasn't nominated by the Academy even though it deserved to be.

It's definitely not aimed at your typical American audience. The theater I was in was full of people all probably over the age of 50. It takes an attention span tuned to European movies and a way of telling stories that's not about cutting to the chase and twists and turns. It was a very refreshing movie experience and probably the best picture of Christianity you'll ever see in a movie. The sparse dialogue, subtle acting, and fine-tuned emotions make for a very real portrayal of the monks. The absence of a soundtrack also adds to the gravity and emotion of the situation. That sounds contradictory since soundtracks usually add to those things, but I think, when in doubt, it's best to leave music out since it can so easily take away rather than add to a film.

Why Not Productions/Armada Films/France 3 Cinema/Canal +

As said before, Beauvuois' takes his time and lets the camera linger on silent moments of prayer, gardening, reading, and when the brothers sing songs together. It's truly captivating to see and I can't express my admiration for Beauvois more for using the camera and crafting the script this way. Interestingly enough, a real life monk was consulted during the making of the film, Henry Quinson, which only adds to the authenticity of the film. Quinson helped choose what prayers, songs, scripture passages, etc, were chosen for the different times in the movie according to tone, dangers, and events at the time. 

The natural feeling of the film was the most valuable part of the film. Towards the end of the film when the danger from the terrorists is at its height and some of the monks are getting very uneasy it would've been easy to drop into melodramatic hell and never escape it. Instead, the emotions are handled very well and inserted sparingly. Overall, this contributes to the authenticity of the Christian aspect of the film. The letter read at the end as narration by Lambert Wilson written by the monk he played, Christian, spells out so clearly the aim of the monks in the community and what should be brought back into clearer focus in the lives of many Christians.

Why Not Productions/Armada Films/France 3 Cinema/Canal +

For these monks it wasn't about an evangelical crusade to 'save' the Muslim villagers. They made real relationships with real people and lived to help and love them. Christian himself, in the letter, says that when he gets to heaven he plans to ask God about Muslims and his opinion of them. This is so important to me personally. Everyone has their beliefs and ideals and we can discuss them all we want and live how we think we should, but in the end, no one can say for sure if their way is the only way. These monks were humble enough to admit that and lived like Jesus did because he predominantly helped people's physical and emotional needs. The monks, who were killed in 1996, their lives and sacrifice, were based around what they could do for people now. 'Of Gods and Men' is a must-see for anyone, in my opinion, no matter your religious stance. And for those of you in the Bellevue, WA area it's playing at Lincoln Square Cinemas! Go see it!