The Millennium Chapel foundation with the collaboration of Artificial Eye Film Company, KRS Film Distributors and Eden Cinemas are organising a fund-raising premiere of the French award-winning film Of Gods and Men.
How a person of faith lives matters more than the circumstances of his death
The screening will take place on October 20 at 7.15 p.m. at the Eden Cinemas under the patronage of President George Abela.
Based on a tragic true story, Of Gods and Men explores the last few months in the life of a small community of eight Christian monks in Tibhirine, Algeria.
The monks live a simple life: farming the land and practising the practical and mystical daily life of their community within the monastery and outside it.
They have deep ties to the villagers who welcome them as their own as they explore the many common traits that exist between Christianity and Islam.
But the spirit of peace, charity and harmony in which the monks and villagers live is threatened by the violence eating away at the country.
It is the early 1990s, when the Algerian government was locked in a battle with Islamic fundamentalist forces. When a group of terrorists brutally massacre a group of Croatian workers in the region, it is clear that the monks are no longer safe.
They are offered protection by the army but the monks refuse. As the danger becomes ever more serious, the monks’ dilemma, dormant until that point, is now clear: do they stay or leave?
Although the decision must be made as a group, each monk will make his decision by assessing the human, political and religious stakes and by plumbing the depths of his soul and conscience.
Of Gods and Men was released to critical acclaim. It won the Grand Prize at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for and won several other awards internationally.
Lisa Schwarzbaum from Entertainment Weekly described the film as “gravely serene and suffused with tenderness. Of Gods and Men takes the simple, profound stand that how a person of faith lives matters more than the circumstances of his death”.
The film boasts remarkable performances from its ensemble cast, led by Lambert Wilson as Brother Christian, the head of the monastery, and Michael Lonsdale as Brother Luc, an elderly monk and doctor who lovingly takes care of the villagers.
Of Gods and Men takes its time in telling its story and avoids histrionics. This approach by director Xavier Beauvois allows the film to ask intelligent and profound questions that will provoke deep thoughts in the audience long after the credits roll.
Speaking at press conference announcing the premiere, Fr Hilary Tagliaferro of the Millennium Chapel Foundation said he was very taken by the film, and found it profoundly moving, a beautiful portrayal of the Catholic faith and all it stands for.
He also said the film has a powerful message for the Maltese, many of whom still harbour many suspicions about Islam, suspicions that were intensified by the irregular immigration issue the country is facing.
He urged the public to attend the premiere not only to help the Kisumu project, to which proceeds of the event will go, but also to experience a remarkable film which truly captures the peace and harmony in which people of different races, faiths and colour can live.
The press conference was also addressed by Sr Yvonne Gera, who worked in the region at the time of the events of the film. Sr Gera spoke about her experiences as the events unfolded around her; remarking that the film portrays them rather accurately.
All proceeds from the premiere will go to the religious community of Augustinian priests and nuns who are working on the Kisumu project in Kenya. This is a project very similar to that of the works carried out by the Tiberine Monks in the film.
Tickets are available from the Millennium Chapel against a donation of €10.