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| OF GODS
AND MEN |
Year: 2010
USA: Sony Pictures Classics
UK: Artificial Eye
Cast: Lambert Wilson, Michael Lonsdale, Olivier Rabourdin,
Philippe Laudenbach, Jacques Herlin, Loïc Pichon, Xavier Maly,
Jean-Marie Frin, Abdelhafid Metalsi, Sabrina Ouazani, Abdallah
Moundy, Olivier Perrier, Farid Larbi, Adel Bencherif
Director: Xavier Beauvois
Country: France
Language: French (English subtitles)
USA: 120 mins
UK: 121 mins
USA Rated: R for a scene of graphic violence
UK Certificate: 15 contains infrequent strong violence
USA Release Date: 25 February 2011 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 3 December 2010
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Synopsis
Xavier Beauvois’ powerful and moving OF GODS AND MEN, based on a
true story, explores the last few months in the life of a small
community of Christian monks in a "Muslim land", caught in
the middle of a conflict between a government and the extremist
terrorist groups that wanted to overthrow it.
The kidnapping and murder of seven French monks of Tibhirine in 1996
was one of the culminating points of the violence and atrocities in
Algeria. The identity of the murderers and the exact circumstances
of the monks’ deaths remain a mystery to this day. Their
disappearance had a great and long-lasting effect on governments,
religious communities and international public opinion.
OF GODS AND MEN captures the spirit of events leading up to the
monks’ kidnapping. Under threat from terrorists, offered military
protection by the local government, and finally urged to leave the
country by the French government, the monks are forced to assess the
human, political and religious stakes of their decision: leave for
their own safety, or stay and honour their deep ties to the
villagers and the spirit of peace, charity and dignity with which
they try to counter the violence eating away at the country. OF GODS
AND MEN bears witness to the reality of the monks’ commitment and
the strength of the message of peace they wish to share by staying
among their Muslim brothers: the possibility of a fraternal and
spiritual common ground between Christianity and Islam.
Winner – Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival 2010.
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