Of Gods and Men
Award-winning French drama, based on true events, about Trappist monks who stand up for their beliefs when confronted by fundamentalists in Algeria.
The story centers around the monastery of Tibhirine, where Trappist monks lived in harmony with the largely Muslim population of Algeria until seven of them were beheaded in a still unclear incident in 1996.
The film won the Grand Prix Award at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Film and Cinematography at the European Film Awards 2010.
- Director:
- Xavier Beauvois ('The Young Lieutenant', 'Nord', 'To Mathieu')
- Writer:
- Xavier BeauvoisEtienne Comar
- Cast:
- Lambert WilsonMichael LonsdaleOlivier RabourdinPhilippe LaudenbachJacques HerlinLoïc Pichon
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressAs the film patiently (perhaps too much so for some) heads toward its foregone conclusion, Beauvois gradually raises his style to a level of baroqueness reminiscent of 1995's "Don't Forget You're Going to Die."
Total Film
pressThe Last Supper-style sequence, where the monks listen to Swan Lake and share red wine, is particularly affecting.
The New York Times
pressOf Gods and Men is supple and suspenseful, appropriately austere without being overly harsh, and without forgoing the customary pleasures of cinema. The performances are strong, the narrative gathers momentum as it progresses, and the camera is alive to the beauty of the Algerian countryside.
Roger Ebert
pressI found myself resisting the film's pull of easy emotion. There are fundamental questions here, and the film doesn't engage them. I believe Christian should have had the humility to lead his monks away from the path of self-sacrifice.
Hollywood Reporter
pressThere are eight individual decisions to be made here, yet Beauvois never humanizes any of his monks. The film instead consumes itself with songs, communal prayers and nightly meals.
Empire Magazine
pressXavier Beauvois's Cannes winner is a spellbinder drama about courage and faith and a fascinating take on global extremism.
Variety
pressAs the film patiently (perhaps too much so for some) heads toward its foregone conclusion, Beauvois gradually raises his style to a level of baroqueness reminiscent of 1995's "Don't Forget You're Going to Die."
Total Film
pressThe Last Supper-style sequence, where the monks listen to Swan Lake and share red wine, is particularly affecting.
The New York Times
pressOf Gods and Men is supple and suspenseful, appropriately austere without being overly harsh, and without forgoing the customary pleasures of cinema. The performances are strong, the narrative gathers momentum as it progresses, and the camera is alive to the beauty of the Algerian countryside.
Roger Ebert
pressI found myself resisting the film's pull of easy emotion. There are fundamental questions here, and the film doesn't engage them. I believe Christian should have had the humility to lead his monks away from the path of self-sacrifice.
Hollywood Reporter
pressThere are eight individual decisions to be made here, yet Beauvois never humanizes any of his monks. The film instead consumes itself with songs, communal prayers and nightly meals.
Empire Magazine
pressXavier Beauvois's Cannes winner is a spellbinder drama about courage and faith and a fascinating take on global extremism.
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