The French New Wave cinema is alive and well, thank you, as evidence by this powerful film.
Slow and subtle, it gives us a look at community, in this case a community of Trappist monks working with poor Algerians. They are faced with almost certain death by Muslim fundamentalists if they stay, but can they abandon the mission they were sent to do.
A look at differences in religious belief is a fundamental of the film. The Muslim soldiers cannot fathom the praying over a dead terrorist, but didn't god say to pray for your enemies? The music is amazing and the scenery is spectacular, but it is the agony of decision amidst war that really hits home.
Superb!
Slow and subtle, it gives us a look at community, in this case a community of Trappist monks working with poor Algerians. They are faced with almost certain death by Muslim fundamentalists if they stay, but can they abandon the mission they were sent to do.
A look at differences in religious belief is a fundamental of the film. The Muslim soldiers cannot fathom the praying over a dead terrorist, but didn't god say to pray for your enemies? The music is amazing and the scenery is spectacular, but it is the agony of decision amidst war that really hits home.
Superb!