Comment

Of gods and men

Des hommes et des dieux
Jan 29, 2012MeReneG rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A very good, deeply moving (albeit slowly-paced), powerful film about real-life events in the mid-1990s, during the Algerian Civil War. Beautiful indoor and exterior (Morocco substitutes for Algeria) cinematography. // When hostilities threatened, these Trappist monks were forced to grapple with their convictions and choose whether to leave the country or stay. Their decisions to stay ultimately led to the abduction and death of all but two (who managed to hide and escape capture). // The film is based largely on the 2002 book (The monks of Tibhirine) by John Kiser; the voice-over near the end of the film (when the hostages are together in a room) is based on writings by Father de Cherge which were found, at the monastery, after his abduction. // Although the hostages died in captivity, there has been speculation that the Algerian military may have been involved (accidentally or intentionally) in their demise -- which had initially been attributed to murder by their captors.