Into Great Silence

2005 Documentary

In this contemplative documentary from filmmaker Philip Gröning, the Grande Chartreuse monastery opens its doors to the public for the first time since being founded by St. Bruno in 1084 to offer an intimate look at a lifestyle rarely experienced by those outside of the brotherhood. Located in the remote regions of the French Alps, near the Dauphiné Alps, the Grande Chartreuse is the top monastery of the Carthusian order. In this documentary, the lives of the pious monks of Grande Chartreuse are captured on film as director Groening adapts to their ascetic lifestyle for six months and captures their daily life without the intrusion of voice-over, musical score, interviews, or archival footage.

Director: Philip Gröning

 29 Reviews  8 Awards

Reviews

  • The silence captured in this documentary -- a meditative look at life in the Carthusian monastery of the Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps -- may be the most eloquent you'll ever hear.

    Walter Addiego - The San Francisco Chronicle

    27 May 2013

  • One of the transporting film experiences of this or any other year.

    Ty Burr - The Boston Globe

    27 May 2013

  • You might not be able to picture yourself in such a life, but you'll be glad that it persists.

    Marc Mohan - Portland Oregonian

    27 May 2013

  • A film of great spiritual intensity and haunting minimalism that enlarges your concepts of movies and of life. Like the monks of the Carthusian order, it distills something intoxicating through a style that's pure and rigorous.

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    27 May 2013

  • Groening doesn't judge the monks' actions, nor does he tell us much about their reasons for choosing such a life. Yet the film brings us into their lives not as an observer but almost as a fellow hermit, making you realize how hard -- or easy -- it would be to commit yourself to such a life.

    Marta Barber - Miami Herald

    27 May 2013

Awards

  • Best Documentary (Dokumentarfilmpreis)

    Bavarian Film Awards (2006)

  • Philip Gröning

    European Film Awards (2006)

  • Philip Gröning

    German Camera Award (2006)

  • Outstanding Documentary (Bester Dokumentarfilm)

    German Film Awards (2006)

     

  • Best Documentary (Bester Dokumentarfilm)

    German Film Critics Association Awards (2006)

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