Into Great Silence — Film Review
I watched an illumining and interesting film last week. Into Great Silence is surely one of the bravest films ever made. Almost three hours long, no script, no score, no commentary. I was compelled to see such a daring feat of minimalism.
Over 20 years before the film’s release, German director Philip Groening applied for permission to film at the Carthusian monastery of Grande Chartreuse in a far corner of the French Alps. He was told it was too early, perhaps in 10-13 years it would be the right time.
16 years later his request was accepted.
You can read the rest of my review at WriteSpirit.net (a beautiful and fascinating site “sharing ancient wisdom and modern inspiration”).
If you watch it, or if you’ve already seen it, let me know what you thought…
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June 18th, 2007 at 4:53 am
I liked the review so much I bought the film—as the famous television commercial goes.
Actually, in the not completely forthright spirit of television advertising, that’s not altogether accurate, for I haven’t actually bought the film… but I will most definitely leave a comment—and an honest one—when it finishes downloading…
Thanks for the recommendation.
June 18th, 2007 at 5:10 am
Thanks, John. Honest comments are the best kind
Hope you enjoy the film…
June 18th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Thanks for sharing this… I look foward to watching it!
Blessings,
jennifer
June 18th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Thanks Jennifer, do let me know what you think when you’ve seen it.
June 21st, 2007 at 8:22 am
Wow, I didn’t think I would like this film because i am not a fan of techno music. Seriously… The amazing thing about this film is the sound, the film maker reveals all the music and rhythm in the mundane noises of the world like footsteps, cupboards, shovels, paper rustling, wood chopping, birds singing, flies buzzing, the wind, bells… whatever. I don’t know if he was meaning to be ironic about a great silence, but I guess the world of these monks embodies hyper-sensitivity to sound and they are very conscious while they make any noise. The film revealed that to me.
I’m not sure I could hear the water hitting the ground when the monk was watering the garden but by then I was ready to imagine it would have sounded like a thundering waterfall, and maybe it does to the earth.
June 21st, 2007 at 8:52 am
Um, i should be a honest like John and say that I actually only speed watched this movie checking out 30 minutes in total, across the whole film. The “silence” definitely gave me joy. Now I know why: all the outer noise was a way of focusing our attention on the inner silence that was happening. That was a bit challenging and this would probably have freaked out non-meditatey sorts once they got bored with the beautiful cinematography. Forgive the extended ramblings.
June 21st, 2007 at 10:54 am
Thanks for your considered review, Alf. Interesting, as you say, how the sounds become such an important part of viewing when there is no speech. It seems all the senses become heightened when one of them receives less input. It’s certainly a challenging film, and as I confessed, I nearly succumbed to the fast-forward button, or even the eject, after 2-3 minutes, so 30 minutes is not to be sneezed at (certainly not out loud). I like the perspective it creates; a welcome departure from Hollywood.
August 11th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
I heard about this film and bought the DVD the first day it was on the shelves. The German title is “Die Grosse Stille”. Yes, it is indeed one of the best films I have ever seen. I watched the whole film in full length one evening and I can see I was moved and transformed by the approach, the simplicity and the artistic expression. Definitely a film/DVD to watch. Take the time (162 min), you will not regret it.