Xavier Beauvois's film is based on the true story of a group of aging French monks kidnapped from their monastery in the Atlas mountains in Algeria by terrorists in 1996.
Much of the film follows the day to day life of the monks growing food, tending their bees, providing medical care and clothing for the local village as well as writing and reading for the illiterate. And of course praying, reading and debating the bible and looking out for each other.
It is a peaceful and mutually respectful co-existence between Catholic monks and the local muslim community. There is no scandal, drama, tension or jealously between the monks themselves or with the village. It is a harsh environment and they help each other.
They take part in community debates and decision making and have friends there who invite them to their family celebrations.
It is a slow pace of life but the gathering threat of the renegade army, while doing nothing to the speed with which duties are performed, disturbs their inner peace.
The monks debate with the village council whether they should flee the impending danger or stay and face almost certain death at the hands of the terrorists. The villagers want them to stay: 'you are the branch and we are the birds' says one.
It is the debate within themselves that is the more difficult one. Each has to make their own decision as to whether to stay or go. Faith is tested in some while in others it is the strength they need.
I can understand why it won at Cannes and I'm glad it did because it deserves to be seen by more people. Not one for action lovers but for something a bit more slow and involved it is unconventional hit.
It gets four out of five from me. On Rotten Tomatoes UK it gets an amazing 100% from 18 critics reviews and 8.5/10 from readers.
Having played a couple of US film festivals it gets a limited release state-side on Feb 25 so nothing on metacritic just yet.
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