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| Memorial Grove of the Seven Monks of Our Lady of Atlas The seven trees are bare of winter leaves. The rock and plaque of the monks buried in snow. |
thetimes.co.uk
Watch
the “Of God and Men”
Their
faith under fire.
Kate Muir
·
The Times
·
Published: 03 December
2010
Of Gods
and Men
Xavier Beauvois, 15
020min)
•••••
This is
an intensely passionate film, and
that the passion is religious makes it no less moving. Xavier
Beauvois fictionalises the true story of seven French monks kidnapped by
fundamentalists In the Atlas Mountains of Algeria. The
. monks
show extraordinary understanding and the
, camera focuses on each man's decision to stay, facing almost
certain martyrdom.
The Cistercian
brothers provide a doctor's surgery for the Muslim
villagers and have strong bonds of friendship
within the community. The story begins in the glorious dappled
light of the ancient olive and cedar trees of the mountains and ends with
helicopter gunships roaring in during civil war.
This
film is France's Oscar contender and the
winner
of the
Cannes Grand Prix. Kate Muir
(Picturehouse; Edinburgh Filmhouse; Glasgow
Film Theatre; Sheffield
Showroom)
