Of Gods and Men

Of Gods and Men (2010)

Genres - Drama, War, Spirituality & Philosophy  |   Sub-Genres - Religious Drama  |   Release Date - Feb 25, 2011 (USA - Limited), Mar 25, 2011 (USA)  |   Run Time - 122 min.  |   Countries - France  |   MPAA Rating - PG13
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Synopsis by Mark Deming

Men of faith find their pacifist beliefs put to the test in this drama from filmmaker Xavier Beauvois, inspired by a true story. Christian (Lambert Wilson) is the leader of an order of Trappist monks living in the hills outside Algiers. The community outside the monastery is almost exclusively Muslim, and the monks have worked to foster understanding between themselves and their neighbors; they observe Muslim traditions, are well versed in the Koran, and provide medical and charitable assistance to the townspeople. The monastery is an oasis of calm and peace as Algeria is caught up in a civil war, with forces led by Muslim extremists leading a bloody campaign against the nation's rulers. Christian and his monks do not wish to take sides in a conflict they believe is immoral; they refuse the protection of the military while also denying aid and comfort to the insurgents. The monks' efforts to remain outside the war, however, have ugly consequences when they're taken hostage by a band of Islamic revolutionaries. Des Hommes et des Dieux (aka Of Gods and Men) was an official selection at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

Characteristics

Keywords

monastery, monk, Muslim

Attributes

High Artistic Quality