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Of Gods And Men

July 11, 2011 by · Comments Off on Of Gods And Men 

Of Gods And MenOf Gods And Men, Starring Lambert Wilson and Michael Lonsdale, co-written & Directed by Xavier Beaubois, while films are generally viewed as a distraction from the everyday events of modern life, sometimes you can tell stories of conviction and courage based on the extraordinary true stories. On your next trip to the video store, why not get something a little different and special lot. A DVD this week in the Grand Prize winner at the Festival de Cannes 2010 films is Of Gods and Men (Des Hommes et des Dieux).

Of Gods and Men is the story of Eight French Christian monks living in harmony with their Muslim neighbors in a monastery perched on the mountains of North Africa in the 1990s. When an Islamic fundamentalist group slaughters a team of foreign workers, fear swept the region well. The military offered protection, but refuse to monks. If they go? Despite the growing threat in their midst, slowly realize they have no choice but to stay … whatever happens.

This film is loosely based on the life of the Cistercian monks of Tibhirine in Algeria from 1993 until his kidnapping in 1996. Hard to see, sometimes, due to the topics and the pace was so slow as molasses, but director Xavier Beaubois has created intelligent and thoughtful meditation on the power of faith. On the surface this is a very Catholic movie, but no matter what (or otherwise) to believe in God I do believe that the power or faith in others is the main message of the film and although it is something that Monks are a bit unbelievable that is very admirable.

Stars Lambert Wilson and Michael Lonsdale, who are historically known for their flamboyant performances in films like The Matrix Reloaded and Moonraker, lead a quiet dignity and rock of his duties as 2 of the 8 monks. Human nature dictates that left when approaching danger, but as is becoming increasingly clear that would not let a terrible fate for those who remain in the neighboring town that aid is no faith in each other and in a higher power is what unites them in the face of evil. Although religion was the delivery method, which is proof positive that there is great strength in the power of faith and a couple of memorable performances of both actors in France.

Of Gods and Men (Des Hommes et des Dieux) is a film that runs the risk of provoking a contentious debate in terms of their personal beliefs, but it is a movie well worth seeing. 4 of 5 stars. Of Gods and Men is available in video stores across Toronto,

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