“Of Gods and Men” has spurred a spirited debate in France over the nation’s history and its future. It might not have such a strong reception in America, given that its shocking true events took place there, not here. But it is essential viewing for anyone interested in the rise of that dangerous ideology that some observers have labeled “Islamism.” In 1996, seven French Trappist monks living in a monastery in Algeria were kidnapped by the Armed Islamic Group and then beheaded. No one knows exactly what took place in the two months between their capture and their murder. But writer-director Xavier Beauvois has movingly imagined what happened before both.
| On-screen |
| ‘Of Gods and Men’ |
| 4 out of 5 stars |
| Stars: Lambert Wilson, Michael Lonsdale, Olivier Rabourdin |
| Director: Xavier Beauvois |
| Rated: PG-13 for a momentary scene of startling wartime violence, some disturbing images and brief language |
| Running time: 120 minutes |
The film moves slowly in the beginning, as we come to understand how the monks conduct their daily life. The sound track is nearly silent at first, and then we hear the glorious sounds of chanting, in a mellifluous French. Most of the men aren’t handsome, though Christian (Lambert Wilson), clearly the leader, has an appealing intellectual look. But the beauty of their souls is made manifest through their singing.
And through the work they do in the small Algerian village near which they’re based. Many of the women who come to the clinic run by the monk-doctor Luc (Michael Lonsdale) have their heads covered. But their monks aren’t proselytizers. They love their Muslim brothers and sisters, who themselves are shocked by what’s beginning to happen across Algeria. “They’ve never read the Koran,” one Muslim says of the fundamentalists who are killing unveiled girls. “This is new,” another declares. “No one understands.”
They’ll have to at least try, for the violence soon comes to the village. Terrorists kill a group of Croatians, savagely slitting their throats. Soon after, they visit the monastery, demanding their stock of medicines. Christian refuses; their small supply is needed for the sick villagers. His bravery astonishes even his brothers, we feel, as he holds his ground. It earns him the grudging respect of the lead gunman. But it’s clear the monks court death if they stay. History tells us that they did. “Of Gods and Men” explains why they did.
The film is a masterful exploration of belief in God and, perhaps more importantly, love. Each monk reacts differently to the crisis — some want to leave, some can’t even contemplate it. The camera often sweeps over the dinner table, taking time to show us each man, his thoughts and feelings on his face. The most powerful scene comes the night the monks are taken away. They’ve resigned themselves to their fate. But resigned isn’t the right word. As they listen to Tchaikovsky’s overture to “Swan Lake” and drink their wine — they may be monks, but they’re French monks — each one suddenly looks as happy as though he’s looking on his savior right then.
It might be hard for many of us to understand why these men felt God was calling them to be martyrs. As one of them notes, though, the son of God himself was “no stranger to this brutal departure.” Their words are a commanding rebuke to violence. Their courage is an example to us all.
