Of God and Men by Xavier Beauvois - Essay Example

Of God and Men” by X. Beauvois Of God and Men” by X. Beauvois Introduction The modern world popularizes religion very often. In the 20th century did not play an important role but now the situation is quite different. Many people started visiting church regularly and celebrate religious holidays. We can see different films and videos, where religious metaphors and allusions are used. The film “Of God and Men” by Mr. Beauvois is a controversial depiction of power of monks. Their extremism is focused on supporting peace in different spheres of life and is shown as a religious zeal. The relations between monks and men are really challenging and the director makes an attempt to show us what is behind such kind of relationship. The Algerian countryside is a beautiful background for the awful events, happening there. To my mind, spirituality of monks and their ability to stay above vicissitude and wars and gain victory in the name of their highest goal is the most impressive context, shown by the director. Film events There is a strong historical background of the events happening in the film. The Algerian war in 1992 took away lives of 200,000 people and the Islamists killed the whole families in the name of their power in the government and their right to be elected (Jonkas, 2011). Deaths of the Algerian monks were initially acknowledged by Islamists, but later the Algerian authorities acknowledged the responsibility for their deaths. This fact makes the film even more tragic and mystical. The monks were tolerant and their attitude for the army and for the Islamists was equal: all of them were brothers for monks. Algerian monks were helping the inhabitants of the villages to remain in safety and keep the Algerian military and Islamist terrorist as far as possible from the villages (Sabbadini and Di Ceglie, 2011). On the one hand, there is a strong religious conflict: because in spite of the fact that monks prayed for the world, it finally consumed them. After the tragedy Pope John Paul II appealed for the Cistercians in 1996: “He who loves his life will lose it, while he who hates his life in this world, will keep it for eternal life. If someone wishes to serve me let him follow me, and where I am there also will my servant be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." (John 12:24-26). The Church is positioned as a Church of martyrs. There are evidences of death in the name of other people, even those one, who tortured these people earlier. The Trappists of Our Lady of Atlas, the Bishop of Oran, His Excellency Pierre Lucien Caverie and some of his sons and daughters on the African sacrifice their lives for those who initially persecuted them (The NYT review). They were focused on the victory of the Cross, the victory of the compassionate love of God, who saves the world (Alleva, 2011). Monks and religion The main goal of the monks was to devote themselves to contemplation, service and humility. They were growing up their food, working and praying, but in the middle of the nineteenth century they were the part of the village in the Atlas Mountains. They had much in common with their Muslim neighbors. These monks were simple, devoted and sincere. Still, from the political perspective there is no way for the European Christians to have their own abbey in the lands of Arab Muslims. The religious beliefs of monks are developed in accordance with the needs of Algeria inhabitants. For example, the prior, Christian spends his time reading the Koran and the Bible, because he is a devoted friend of Algeria (The NYT film review). Love and charity as the central concerns for monks There are many interesting depictions, when monks are trying to find out the decisions of their further religious behavior under conditions of military conflict. For example, they intend to leave the abbey when the workers are slaughtered on Croatia highway. There are deep and spiritual concerns in this film and it is possible to correlate central ideas of the film with the historical prototypes. For example, we can memorize Julian of Norwich, who underlines the importance of integration of LOVE and REASON. These are two basic elements of human nature and are the greatest gifts of God. She propagated the necessity of cultivation of human nature as the reflection of God’s perfection and unity. Maybe, the monks in the film were focused on their spiritual experience development, as it was demanded by Julian of Norwich. The Holy books are the sources of inspiration and that is why it is important to look for “spiritual sense” in the Koran and the Bible. Therefore, love and charity is the integral category in the film. It is perfectly interrelated with the category of monks/monastery. We can see the way the interrelation between these two categories is shown to us: the main character, who provides the audience with a correct interpretation of these two categories, is the elderly physician Brother Luc. He servers to the local villagers, though he has his own problems with health. When a young Algerian woman comes to consult this old monk about love, he tells her that the greatest love he ever experienced is his love to God. This main character is a prototype of the most devoted monk, who believes to his God only and is triggered by his love to God in his heart. That is why the monks stay at Tibhirine, because they want to find the best and the strongest love in their lives. The religious life is all about love and ability to share it with other people. For ages the concepts of love and charity were interrelated with the religious beliefs of monks. Moreover, these monks are depicted as heroic martyrs, though they had serious hesitations about living the country or stay in their monastery. When making this choice, they were directed by their feeling of love, which is the dominant for them and is the most valuable in their lives. When they decided to stay, I think they were triggered by their ultimate motivation and a desire to serve to a higher calling. Conclusion This film helped me to realize the main goal of religious life, which is love and charity. To serve in the name of others and to sacrifice one’s interests in the name of others interests’ protection is the greatest goal for the monks. In spite of the bloody and cruel background of the film, I am sure that it has a deep and saint motif inside of it. I think that it was a real intention of the director of the film to contrast the nature of saint intentions and triggers of cruelty and betrayal. The monks and their divine nature were contrasted to the cruel nature of the world around them. I came to the conclusion, based on my knowledge from the course that religious life may be full of endurance, but it is necessary to have the only one strong link, which is devotion to God and faith, sympathy and tolerance to people, surrounding you and spiritual necessity to help them. Therefore, the film “Of Gods and Men” is usually criticized of mysticism or unreal context, but in spite of all these facts this film is focused on spirituality, the greatness of the human souls, the power of religion and devotion. Works cited Alleva, Richard. "Birds on a Branch: Of Gods and Men." Commonweal 22 Apr. 2011: 21+. Questia. Web. 1 Mar. 2012. Joncas, J. Michael. "Reflections on of Gods and Men." Pastoral Music Sept. 2011: 43+.Questia. Web. 1 Mar. 2012. Sabbadini, Andrea, and Giovanna Di Ceglie. "A Camera Inside a Monastery: Reflections on of Gods and Men [Des Hommes et Des Dieux]." International Journal of Psychoanalysis 92.3 (2011): 745+. Questia. Web. 1 Mar. 2012. The New York Times film review of Of Gods and Men. Read More