If you are easily distracted, this can be a tough film to sit through. There is almost no dialog in the film. Unlike traditional documentaries, there is no voice over, no explanation. Rather, the silent routines and daily lives of the monks speak for themselves. A sincere and heady experience begins to unfolds as the snippets come together to create a broader picture and understanding. Shots of the secluded buildings surrounded by snow in the mountains occasionally come on screen. There is a timelessness to this, as though a time capsule has saved and isolated this community from the cares or concerns of the rest of the world.
In one of my favorite scenes, a hunched over monk in a robe tramps out in heavy snow to carefully excavate snow out of what are presumably starter beds for a garden. He's smiling as he does it, obviously enjoying himself in the frosty weather around him. (Is this man Dick Proenneke's uncle?). Perhaps the anticipation of spring and changes in the season are enough for him. Despite the humble clothes, there is a richness of spirit and connection with life and silence around them. There is no hint of sadness or discontent.
Winter slowly withdraws to spring, spring to summer. There are shots of their day in the garden, chanting, serving food, gathering firewood, pausing to reflect. There's a monk who comes and delivers meals to rooms in bowls on a push cart. The screeching wheels of the cart are an unwelcome assault after the hauntingly quiet tone the film has set. Though there are bells and chanting in scenes, they are intentional and melodious and draw the viewer rather than shock.
There is a peaceful mediative quality to the whole film. I could feel myself growing jealous of their lifestyle. The chores hardly seem like chores. Though there is no breakdown of the time they spend working, I got the feeling there was a lot of down time. After you take care of your basic necessities, the rest of the day is open for prayer and meditation. They have food, water, shelter, heat, clothing, and beds. There's no indication in the film of how or if they get health care or make money, or how and when the buildings were built and funded.
There is a peaceful mediative quality to the whole film. I could feel myself growing jealous of their lifestyle. The chores hardly seem like chores. Though there is no breakdown of the time they spend working, I got the feeling there was a lot of down time. After you take care of your basic necessities, the rest of the day is open for prayer and meditation. They have food, water, shelter, heat, clothing, and beds. There's no indication in the film of how or if they get health care or make money, or how and when the buildings were built and funded.
According to the wikipedia entry, they make and sell a special liquor. This syncs up with the traditional backwoods distillers in Appalachia. As self sufficient as they were, occasionally they would need to make money to buy supplies. Rather than haul bulky loads grain out of the woods, they brought whiskey. It was easier to transport, didn't spoil, and I'd be willing to bet easier to sell.
Here's the official trailer for the film. The sound quality in the film is much better.
I highly recommend this movie, it's a great example of the simple, examined life.
Thanks for the review dude.
ReplyDeletethis could be interesting.. might give it a try later
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