In 1996 as the Algerian Civil War raged a group of 9 Trappist monks live a simple and peaceful life near a small village in the mountains. They have given their lives to God and worship and pray daily; inbetween they treat the locals for ailments and help them fill out forms; they walk they land; plants crops for themselves or make honey to sell at the local market. Eventually though the war comes to them and a rebel leader asks fro medical help for his men, which is refused on the basis that they do not leave the monastery to treat people. The rebels go, but the experience is enough to scare the priests and give them concern for their safety.
They discuss the option of leaving and some decide it is the only choice while others feel it would be a form of running away - that they devoted themselves to God and that this place is their destiny means that is where they need to be. Tensions mount however as the government tries to get them to leave and violence becomes worse. After much soul searching the monks all vote to stay. But the rebels return taking 7 of them hostage. Weeks after being taken the monks are murdered; an event that continues to remain confused as to whom killed them.
This remarkable film starts quite slowly, showing the monks go about their daily routine. Once their peace is interrupted, tension mounts and the film takes on a different feel. The predicament the monks feel is one that any one can relate to; it's not even a question of faith, it's human instinct. But of course these men are of God and this brings further issues; leaving is almost like giving up the faith. But it is also abandoning the village that relies on them as much as they rely on the village.
It gradually becomes a very powerful film as the monks come together and decide to stay despite the risks and it is also a very emotional film as the outcome if finally revealed. Beautifully filmed, with the stark landscapes of Morocco standing in for Algeria and fine subtle performances this is a fine film with a tragic story.
More of my reviews at my site; iheartfilms.weebly.com
They discuss the option of leaving and some decide it is the only choice while others feel it would be a form of running away - that they devoted themselves to God and that this place is their destiny means that is where they need to be. Tensions mount however as the government tries to get them to leave and violence becomes worse. After much soul searching the monks all vote to stay. But the rebels return taking 7 of them hostage. Weeks after being taken the monks are murdered; an event that continues to remain confused as to whom killed them.
This remarkable film starts quite slowly, showing the monks go about their daily routine. Once their peace is interrupted, tension mounts and the film takes on a different feel. The predicament the monks feel is one that any one can relate to; it's not even a question of faith, it's human instinct. But of course these men are of God and this brings further issues; leaving is almost like giving up the faith. But it is also abandoning the village that relies on them as much as they rely on the village.
It gradually becomes a very powerful film as the monks come together and decide to stay despite the risks and it is also a very emotional film as the outcome if finally revealed. Beautifully filmed, with the stark landscapes of Morocco standing in for Algeria and fine subtle performances this is a fine film with a tragic story.
More of my reviews at my site; iheartfilms.weebly.com