Of Gods and Men was released on December 8th, 2010. It is directed by Xavier Beauvois and written by Beauvois and Étienne Comar. Based on a true story, it centers around a group of nine Trappist monks living in the abbey of Tibhirine in Algeria during the Algerian Civil War.
Of Gods and Men is, largely, a tale of Catholic monks living in peace with their Muslim neighbors. Throughout the film we see the monks interact with the Muslim population around them. Brother Luc, who is a doctor, provides medical care for the townsfolk and chats amiably with a young girl about falling in love. The monks are seen meeting with Muslims during a prayer meeting. These are monks not interested in preaching, but in giving silent witness to those around them. To inspire others through their lives of Christ-like service.
The film slowly builds up an element of danger, as we hear of the Muslim fundamentalists committing acts of violence around the monastery. The Algerian Government offers the brothers military protection but their leader, Christian (Lambert Wilson), turns them down. This comes to a head in a pivotal moment, when a group of the terrorists enter the monastery looking for medical assistance. Christian refuses, as Luc is too old and feeble to leave the compound and there medical supplies are too scarce. He quotes the Quran to their leader, Fayattia, and tells him that this night is special for the monks, as it is Christmas Eve, the night when they "celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace". Fayattia respects Christian's conviction and leaves with his men. The brothers must then decide whether to stay and risk being killed or leave, abandoning the people they serve and the community life that means so much to them. Many of the monks struggle with this decision but, in the end, they all agree to stay. Eventually, Fayattia is killed, and the monks are left without his protection. They are captured by the terrorists one night and never heard from again. Only Father Amedee and Father Jean-Pierre survive, having hid beneath their bunks.
Of Gods and Men paints a powerful picture of Catholic witness and the spirit of ecumenism. The monks of Tibhirine feel compelled to stay at the abbey and fulfill their chosen vocation despite the dangers of war raging around them. Dom Christian is a source of strength for the others, reminding them of their call but allowing them to choose for themselves whether they should go or stay. He leaves a testament behind (an abridged version of the real life one) telling anyone who may find it that he did not desire death, but accepted it, nonetheless, out of love for Christ. "I would like my community, my church and my family to remember that my life was given to God and to this country." He also expresses his hope that this will not reflect badly on Muslims or on the people of Algeria. "I know the contempt the people of this country may have indiscriminately been surrounded by. And I know which caricatures of Islam a certain Islamism encourages." He finishes by forgiving and even thanking his captors, "And may we meet again, happy thieves in paradise, if it pleases God, the Father of us both. Amen! Inch'Allah!"
Xavier Beauvois' direction is incredibly restrained and the stark cinematography by Caroline Champetier adds to the film's sense of austerity and realism. Further contributing to this is the fact that the film has no real musical score outside of the monks chanting. The only exception to this is one scene of artistic bravura that I'm not sure completely fits with the rest of the film. The performances too are very naturalistic. The actors went through a month of training in Gregorian chant and spent a week in the Abbey of Tamié. Lambert Wilson, who plays Dom Christian, studied the monks writings to better acquaint himself with the man's personality.
Of God's and Men is a powerful film which, despite it's dark subject matter, is actually quite uplifting. I would strongly recommend it, both to pious Christian viewers and to those of other faiths.
Score: 9/10
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