Rent Of Gods and Men (2010)

3.6 of 5 from 248 ratings
2h 2min
Rent Of Gods and Men (aka Des hommes et des dieux) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
When an Islamic fundamentalist group massacres a team of foreign workers, fear sweeps through the region and the brothers are faced with abandoning their monastery and the community who depend on them, or making the courageous decision to stay.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Idriss Karimi, , , ,
Directors:
Writers:
Xavier Beauvois, Etienne Comar
Aka:
Des hommes et des dieux
Studio:
Artificial Eye Film Company Ltd.
Genres:
Drama
Collections:
2011, CinemaParadiso.co.uk Through Time, Female Filmmakers Who Changed French Cinema, Films by Genre, Top 10 Barnyard Bird Films
Countries:
France
Awards:

2010 Cannes Grand Prize

BBFC:
Release Date:
11/04/2011
Run Time:
122 minutes
Languages:
Arabic Dolby Digital 2.0, Arabic Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • The victims of Tibhirine: A further inquiry documentary
  • Theatrical trailer
BBFC:
Release Date:
11/04/2011
Run Time:
122 minutes
Languages:
Arabic DTS 2.0, French DTS 2.0
Subtitles:
English
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • The victims of Tibhirine: A further inquiry documentary
  • Theatrical trailer

More like Of Gods and Men

Reviews (4) of Of Gods and Men

Wonderful - Of Gods and Men review by JG

Spoiler Alert
12/12/2014

A fine piece of filmmaking. The actors do seem to inhabit the roles they play; the performances are utterly convincing. A tragic story told with the 'right' mood. There's a good feeling of the relationship between the monks and the local community, the respect of the monks for Islam is clear. Tragic story but well worth watching.

3 out of 3 members found this review helpful.

Powerful - Of Gods and Men review by RB

Spoiler Alert
14/09/2020

One of the most sensational films I have ever seen. Powerful, gripping and lovingly made. Not worth missing.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Inspiring film - Of Gods and Men review by MM

Spoiler Alert
20/06/2022

A fine tribute to people of integrity, honour and respect for others. So well acted could be a documentary but told with empathy and warmth for all involved. And a welcome reminder that among the sleaze and greed there are still such people.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Critic review

Of Gods and Men (aka Des hommes et des dieux) review by Melissa Orcine - Cinema Paradiso

In 1996, seven Trappist monks who lived in largely Muslim Algeria are kidnapped and killed. The remaining monks in the monastery decide to stay even with the escalating political and religious turmoil. ‘Of Gods and Men’ is the story of the monks and their reasons for staying even when their lives become terribly in danger.

‘Of Gods and Men’ is based on true events in Tibhirine, Algeria. It shows a chronological account of what happens to the monks after the brutal incident, leading up to their confrontation with the terrorists and government officials until their unfortunate ends. The socio-political theme is evident throughout – it is what triggers all the conflict that happens next after all, but with it, director Xavier Beauvois does not break away from the monks themselves. The film does not do away with the violence but it still remains quiet and subtle, a study on how people treat each other when one’s religion comes to play.

With its tremendous ensemble cast headed by veteran actors Lambert Wilson and Michael Lonsdale, a quaint cinematography, and detailed production design (it was filmed in Morocco but was made to look like Algeria), it is a dramatic film for the spiritual man. No wonder the film was awarded the Grand Prix at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

The conflict between Christians and Muslims has been well-known to say the least but somehow in the film, peace and harmony has been achieved. Up until the incident with the kidnapped and murdered monks, the community and its people thrived on tolerance and lived quietly together. But religion will always be a sensitive issue, spoken about or not. It will eventually come up and beliefs will be reinforced and most times, it’s done with hate. The monks choose to stay even when the odds are stacked against them. There’s not a possibility of death – it is a certainty. Yet they are defiant, continuing to live their lives in a place where most of its occupants want them out. Besides faith, the monks are making a stand, a true act of a martyr.

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