"Of Gods and Men": Along the Roots of Terrorism

PUBLIC OPINION -

This is the story of a monastery, with monks set no longer young. When light comes, they stuck fingers blunt hoof it into loose soil to store seed potatoes. Towards evening, shriveled bodies began rocking the small chapel. From their mouths, the name of the Lord were called-calling with a sense of trepidation.

This is the story of a monastery, where monks could not recite the lines of abstinence from the Koran. For them, God only differ in language. Therefore, in the morning, and extends into the bright afternoon, their work on behalf of humanity: the medical interpreter, providing treatment free of charge; the experts actively harvesting honey bee processed.

This is the story of a monastery, which was inhabited by a French monk, in the midst of the Algerian Muslim community. At certain times at lunch time, they sell honey at the market and exchange the earth. The scribes refused to stop at the residence of the lords of the local community for the exchange of knowledge: he freely cites the verses that Muhammad had in mind about a particular case. If the time comes resign, they greet each other with respect.

But this story is not long. The story line is disconnected it by something that had been underlying their decision to stay in the middle of the area were so poor that: faith. In this regard, an opinion citing rahibnya ever Blaise Pascal, a French philosophers, that seems to be a sign: "No man ever committed a crime with a sincere and cheerfully as when running it on behalf of religious belief."

When the Catholic monk named Luc's, played by 79-year-old actor Michael Lonsdale, quoting Pascal mind, he was hit by turbulence. Because, they just got a threat from the Islamic jihadists who are members of Jemaah Islamiyah extremist group.

The film, directed by Xavier Beauvois uses background Algeria in 1996, a time when the violence of religious and inter-factional strife began to explode. Adapted from a true story, "Of Gods and Men" with a good effort down the roots of violence these days is gripping the world through acts of terror. Beauvois and superior work precisely because simplicity that she carries.

Try very carefully you can see the screen: monks who work in routine; population with slow tempo activity; short conversation about love, loneliness and solitude. Nothing excessive. As is also associated with different neighbors confidence: there was nothing excessive. But that's the superiority of the director. Quietly, with a memorable way to relax, he put us in a position to anticipate full-pounding horror in the following rounds.

Fear, which eventually crept along the film, starting when crammed Beauvois order Cistercian monastery leader, Michael, played by Lambert Wilson is convinced, received a warrant stating that all foreigners in the country was obliged to evacuate due to an increasingly severe strain. They're worried.

The question is: go or stay?

Impregnated anxiety, they discuss with locals. To the residents, they likened themselves in the village as a bird perched on the branch. But, a woman would reply, "Wrong. That we were the bird. You bough the place alight."

After passing through several events, exchange of ideas, and long prayers, they decided to stay there. "I never thought of leaving this place," said a monk.

Decisions made ​​at the dinner table that would bring the audience to the threshold between relief and crowded. There was no room in subsequent scenes that do not presuppose an emergency. Peak, which would be the most impressive part, scenes like the famous Last Supper. Accompanied by a number of "Swan Lake" by composer Tchaikovsky ', the monks gathered at the dinner table, drinking red wine. Cameras intense highlight one by one they face. At that point, the moment becomes subtle cinema. And we are faced with something beyond belief: humanity. FIDELIS

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