Of Gods and Men

“Of Gods and Men” is a film about monks living in the extremely violent, Islamic culture of Algeria. There is a group of militants that are trying to eliminate all foreigners and non-believers (of Islam).  This is the predominant conflict of Christianity versus Islam, but there is also conflict among the monks themselves. After the ruthless, Islamic group massacres a nearby group of foreign highway workers, the monks know they are in danger. They must decide whether to stay in their village at high risk of becoming martyrs, or flee their abbey, which does not defy their creed. Some monks want to stay while others want to flee. The monks are warned several times by the militants that if they stay, they will probably die. The monks end up staying at their abbey. There is a very long, dramatic scene of the monks faces, simply awaiting their death. They are then kidnapped in the night. The last scene you see is the monks being taken through the snow off into the distance. The viewer is then told that they were killed.

Religion was such a dominant element in this film. Islam and Christianity filled the movie. The monks did not force Christianity on the Islams. They merely offered help to them and acted as a light and hope for the people. The monks even participated in the Islam ceremonies and celebrations. This was how the monks lived.  Most of the beginning was dedicated to portraying the monks lifestyles. I found it interesting when Prof. Tait mentioned the director actually had the actors live in a real monastery before the film was shot. It leads to believe that the monks were probably accurately represented.

I feel as though I would have to watch this film again to fully understand and appreciate it for what it is, but I definitely think religion was interpreted well. Religion often causes tension, defensiveness, or offensiveness. In “Of Gods and Men” each religion was presented with an acceptance of the other. The Islamic villagers accepted the monks and appreciated their help, while the monks accepted the Islams and participated in their lives. The film did not try to change anyone’s view on Christianity or Islam; it simply told the true story of a group of monk’s lives and deaths. The monks were in no way perceived as perfect. Yes, they were wise, meek, humble, and faithful, but they had problems, issues, and flaws as well. The Christians were people, just as everyone else in the film.