Film notes and reviews » 2011/12 season » Of Gods and Men, October 2011

Of Gods and Men, October 2011

France 2010. Director: Xavier Beauvois.

Certificate 15

Loosely based on a true story this Cannes best film award winner about a group of Cistercian monks in 1990s Algeria is a powerful experience.

Having enjoyed a harmonious relationship with the Muslim community, which indeed is dependent on the monks for education, medical attention and trading, they are confronted around Christmas with an existential threat from fundamentalist jihadists. How they face up to possible martyrdom is absorbing, climaxing in a “Last Supper”.

Lambert Wilson, playing the leader is superb.

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