Of Gods and Men
Original Title
Des hommes et des dieux- Director: Xavier Beauvois
- Writer: Xavier Beauvois; Etienne Comar
- Producer: Pascal Caucheteux; Etienne Comar
CGiii Comment
There's nothing quite like a bit of religious martyrdom...to send you to sleep.
It's beautifully shot and tediously composed. For such a dramatic story, nothing actually happens...just a lot deliberation and chanting...the first 20 or so minutes are completely redundant.
This is not an insight to an ancient male institution - the interesting faces coupled with low-key performances simply fail to deliver any passion...the ending, stripped of all emotion, is as effective as deflating a tyre before the start of a Grand Prix!
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
In 1996, in Algeria, eight French monks of The Monastery Notre-Dame de l'Atlas of Tibhirine have a simple life serving the poor community that was raised around the monastery. During the Algerian Civil War, they are threatened by terrorists but they decide to stay in the country and not return to France.
Cast & Characters
Lambert Wilson as Christian;
Michael Lonsdale as Luc;
Olivier Rabourdin as Christophe;
Philippe Laudenbach as Celestin;
Jacques Herlin as Amedee;
Loic Pichon as Jean-Pierre;
Xavier Maly as Michel;
Jean-Marie Frin as Paul;
Abdelhafid Metalsi as Nouredine;
Sabrina Ouazani as Rabbia