Of all the categories in the Academy Awards, I think Best Foreign Language Film is the one that has disappointed me the most in the past few years. Some of their choices of winner in recent years ? The Secret In Their Eyes, Departures, Tsotsi ? have been medium quality films that have won at the expense of more deserving nominees. And given that this film, Of Gods And Men didn?t even make the final five, my lack of respect for the small committee (mostly old men) that decide this category is growing.
For this is a superbly constructed film, about a community of monks in Algeria forced to make hard decisions because of a group of terrorists camped out nearby the monastery. It explores the themes of religion and faith without bias or agenda, but simply through observation and facts it makes you think deeply about them. It manages to draw you in to the experience of living in a close closed community like this. And it strikes the heart deeply, with the stoic rationalism of the head monk contrasted with the very human foibles of the other men.
Thus s based on a true story and, without wanting to spoil the movie, I will say that the ending can?t be anything but affecting. This was a great selection for the official French entry into the Oscar race, even if strategically (given the shallowness of the jury) it wasn?t the best chance of winning.
(Other great 2011 movies: Another Year, Black Swan, Never Let Me Go, 127 Hours, Rabbit Hole, Rubber)
Source: http://moviebuffs.livejournal.com/3249049.html
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