Into Great Silence: Documentary About Monastic Life Is Surprise Success


Into Great Silence, a new documentary film about the life of a Carthusian monastery nestled high in the French Alps, has gained considerable attention.

German filmmaker Philip Gröening had reportedly spent 15 years trying to convince members of the Grand Chartreuse monastery to let him document their quiet existence. In 2001, they finally told him they were ready. The filmmaker’s visit marked the first time the flagship Carthusian monastery had opened its doors to the public since its founding by St. Bruno in 1084.

The film, released last month, contains no real dialogue, no interviews, no commentary and no outside sound or music. It seeks simply to chronicle daily life in the monastery-- 4 months in fact-- of the methodical rhythms of prayer, chant and daily tasks.
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Comments

  1. Dymphna11/20/05, 11:39 AM

    I'm really looking forward to this movie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jean Heimann11/20/05, 8:12 PM

    Me, too, Dympha. Thanks for your comment.

    God bless,
    Jean

    ReplyDelete

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