Showing posts with label monks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label monks. Show all posts
Monday, May 7, 2007
Into Great Silence, Now Playing in Houston
The Reviews are in!:
"Exhilarating Holiness!"
--Tito of Custos Fidei
"Non-stop edge-of-your-seat white-knuckled SANCTITY!"
--Ben of Joey Honey!*
That's the words I use to describe this moving film about devout Christians in their journey towards closer union with God. Into Great Silence, a documentary movie of the lives of Carthusian monks in the French Alps monastery of the Grand Charteuse, is a film by Philip Groning.
I've posted twice about this move within the last two years and now it has finally arrived here in the United States. I found out it is playing at the Angelika Film Center in downtown Houston and got a group of friends together to view the film after Mass this past Sunday. Everyone had much more rave(-r) reviews than I had. I don't want to build it up too much, but if you love your faith and want to experience another aspect of Christianity, especially in a contemplative environment, I would strongly suggest you go watch this.
It is playing until Sunday of this week. I spoke with the movie manager at Angelika Film Center and he said that it is their top-grossing film that they have (there are seven other films showing as well) and the likelihood of extending it another week is very good if not strong. So don't procrastinate fellow Houstonians! Go out there and watch it now.
Because I can surely attest that when it comes to DVD, it won't be the same as in viewing it in a large screen theater. Especially the stunning and magnificent views you see of the French Alps surrounding the beautiful monastery during winter and summer!
For a quick YouTube viewing on my blog click here.
To get the times for 'Into Great Silence' at Angelika Film Center click here.
Note: In previous postings I incorrectly state the monastery is in the Swiss Alps, it is not, it is in the French Alps.
*Yet to be reviewed by blogger.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Into Great Silence
A film with no narration and soundtrack. Simply silence. The film is about the Carthusian monastery, Le Grande Chartreuse, located in the Swiss Alps.
I've finally found this trailer in which my original posting, YouTube had yet to surface on the web.
I'm trying to find more information when it will be showing in the United States. It packed theaters in Germany and was a sensation all over Europe. The film is nearly three (3) hours long and any chanting is done in either Latin or French.
Thursday, January 5, 2006
Carthusian Monk Film a Huge Hit
BBC World News is reporting that a movie that was filmed in a Carthusian monastery up in the French Alps is being well received in Germany. German film goers are filling the cinemas up across the land to an unlikely hit of a movie. The film is three hours long and it films the lives of these Carthusian Monks in complete silence. This film is called Die Grosse Stille or Into Great Silence.
The BBC goes on to say that the Carthusians are the strictest Christian order and was not expected to be a hit. But it is playing to packed cinemas, fascinating audiences with the unique glimpse of a contemplative life, unknown beyond the monastery walls.
I checked out the trailer and it is what the article says it is. Completely in silence with the intermittent Gregorian chant being practiced in the background and the turning of the pages while a monk is reading the Bible... in Latin! I am not really sure why, but I am completely fascinated by this film. If it ever reaches the United States, me and a few of my friends will be rushing towards the cinema to catch this film!
For more about this movie, including the trailer, click here (in German).
For more about the Carthusian Monks (and Nuns) click here.
For more of this BBC report click here.
To request this film be shown in the United States, contact your local Parish or write to EWTN.
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