Of Gods and Men (2011)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Did you people see the same film I saw?

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

OF GODS AND MEN tells the real story of a band of French Christian monks who continued to live in Algeria after the French gave that country its independence. They live in harmony with the local Muslim community, offering everything from medical skills to advice on love, but the coming of the Algerian Civil War ends that. The tension is ratcheted up as the countryside becomes militarised, with roadblocks and corpses appearing. The Islamist GIA turn up and demand the monks leave, or else they will be murdered. The monks discuss among themselves and after a lot of thought and debate they decide to stay. Eventually (spoilers) they are seized and beheaded, although the film carefully doesn't say by whom as nobody knows if the GIA or the government were responsible (especially as the DRS - Algerian intelligence - was manipulating the GIA throughout the war). It's a portrait of faith and humanity that is just subtle - thanks to fine acting and muted direction - enough to work, although the 'Last Supper' scene comes perilously close to over-doing it. It's a rare film that is serious about God, which makes this worth the watch alone.

By my title I mean one needn't be religious to appreciate this film. I watched it in three forty minute sessions on consecutive nights. I recommend such viewing because the dialog really needs to be absorbed and the movie lacks the thrills, suspense, etc., that lesser two-hour movies rely on. It's kind of like a classroom that you have to come back to after being refreshed and with a lesson you have allowed to sink in after a day. If I may give it away, the individual Trappist monks, in their sessions with Christian, each give convincing arguments for their decision to stay the course. Again, you need not be a believer. The key teachings of this film are of conviction and the need to give meaning to one's life. Courage is merely a by-product of this exercise of this conviction. Pacifism really has little to do with the group's motivation and tragic end. I can only do justice to OF GODS AND MEN by quoting Keats, "Beauty is truth and truth, beauty."

I did not want to like this film- I have little sympathy or respect for the remnants of brutal Colonial system, and I think little of the Catholic Church in general. (I am myself, a former Catholic). In any case, I was shockingly surprised that I very much enjoyed the film. I did wind up infinitely respecting the Monks as portrayed. They were not in a remote region of Algeria to do any evil whatsoever, or to try to convert anyone, or teach the locals anything about Catholicism.They lived in a strange, peaceful, respectful, symbiotic. harmonious relationship with the local Muslim population who were overwhelming supportive and respecting of them. The Monks were absolutely selfless to the point of obsessing in their pursuit/quest of helping the local villagers with everything from free footwear, to free prescription drugs and medical treatment. Apparently at least one of the Brothers was a medical Doctor. The meager, paltry, few cents of coins they made by selling honey from their bee-hive, at local outdoor markets, virtually was all given back to the community in one form or another. The leader (Monsignor?) of the Monk group, even won the respect and protection of one leader from the terrorist groups who had arrived in the area, by going 'toe to toe' with the him in quoting Koranic passages and verses. And of course it's all based on a true story. I'm a misanthrope as well as a person who is totally down on organized religion. However, a small percentage of my faith in humanity, as being capable for doing any good whatsoever, was restored after viewing this film. But to phrase it in somewhat religious terms- Ultimately human ignorance, violent brutality, and evil once again prevailed. I think everyone knows the ending of this film. But yes, this is an intelligent film, with many uplifting moments. I highly recommend it.

One can react to a film in many ways including: intellectually, viscerally, emotionally, cognitively, spiritually and aesthetically. One's reaction to a particular film is the result of complex interactions of all of the above and the characteristics of the film itself. Certain films are more likely to bring out particular types of reactions. This film works on many levels and will draw out complex and individual responses from each viewer. My responses were heavily influenced by my being a member of Catholic men's religious order that has a long (and ongoing) history or missionary work that, at times, puts our men in danger. This was true in the centuries since our founding and remains true for a number of my friends who are working "undercover" in several countries. I first watched Of Gods and Men with another member of the order who had already seen it but wanted to share the video and the experience with me. We watched on a small not very good TV with wretched sound. But within moments of the opening all of that faded away. When it was over I sat in the dark room stunned. I know several Trappist monks. I admire their lives and occasionally retreat at one of the their monasteries. While their vocation to contemplative monastic life is not my vocation, the bond of being in religious vows allows us to share something fundamental and vital. I was stunned when I read about the killings in Algeria and followed the story closely in the papers. Before watching the film I read the very well-written The Monks of Tibhirine that supplied some back story and biographical information that was not included in the film, a great deal about the history of Islamic fundamentalism in Algeria and much history of the French in Algeria. The scenes during which the men were discerning God's will, both as a community and individually, ring true. The lack of consensus, the bickering, the fear, the acceptance and the gradual movement of the Spirit are the same for all orders when they engage in corporate discernment emerging from each member's individual discernment. Though forewarned by my buddy, the scene of Swan Lake playing in the refectory was emotionally wrenching. The looks on the men's faces as the music swirled and the sense of community returned could never be described in words. I've been as deeply moved and emotionally drained each time I've watched the movie since (about four times since the initial viewing a year ago). Quibbles about the lack of action are absurd. That is not the kind of life we lead as religious. Prayer, Mass, and contemplation (even in an active order) are the backbone of our lives together and as individuals. The combination of the honesty of the portrayals of the men's and the community's spiritual crises along with the sublime cinematography combine to make this an extraordinary film on all levels.