Of Gods and Men

Overview

Spirituality in cinema is a double-edged sword. From the works of Andrei Tarkovsky to the more recent A Prophet, films that delve into the unseen gears of faith and another world tend to laden themselves with a weight that will welcome dedicated viewers and drive the rest away. Of Gods and Men, directed by Xavier Beauvois, carries on the tradition with a piece that is beautiful, deeply meditative and, for those with the endurance, long drawn.

The film takes place in and around a monastery in Algeria, during the mid-90s. A picturesque opening details the daily lives of the eight French Trappist monks who make their home here, and lays out their close relationship with the Muslim inhabitants of the neighbouring village. This is an image of pure, pastoral bliss, with the monks tending to their honey-making, their vegetable patches and their communal prayers. There is mutual respect and a genuine love between the two groups - monks and villagers - displayed both through the dedicated work of the doctor, Brother Luc (Michael Lonsdale), and through the monks celebrating birthdays with local families.

Of course, such a peaceful opening begs to be overturned, and when Of Gods and Men's second act opens with the arrival of extremist Mujahideen soldiers, the violence of the outside world makes its presence felt. Like other films dealing with religion and spirituality, the arrival of the soldiers is the crucible of the monks' faith. Charged by their vows and their love to stand by the local villagers, sandwiched between the extremists and an increasingly paranoid government, the monks are faced with the question of whether they should leave or remain at the monastery where they will surely die.

Often in spiritual films, the question of faith and the presence of a higher power is seen through the eyes of a sole believer. Not so in Of Gods and Men. Beauvois has worked with the ensemble cast to create a strong sense of communal faith, and this film renders a very human approach to an otherwise lofty genre.

Supporting the cast and direction is Caroline Champetier's cinematography and Michel Barthélémy's production design. Both of these elements create a world that beguiles with its simplicity. Aside from questions of spirituality, these two elements gently place the idea of a slow, grassroots life, filled with bespoke knitwear and the comforts of tilled soil.

Make sure that you're in the mood for reflection when you come to see Of Gods and Men. It will reward an unrushed viewing and subsequent pondering, but otherwise you will feel as if the film is half an hour too long.