Into Great Silence

La Grande Chartreuse, an order of French Carthusian monks hidden away in the Alps, is the subject matter for this lengthy documentary by Philip Groning. Having received permission to film there (albeit sixteen years after having asked), Groning avoids forcing style or story onto proceedings and instead lets the monks do the talking - or not, as is usually the case. Watching his film is almost like being in a sensory deprivation chamber, where the slightest event is amplified in importance by contrast with the minimal surroundings. Highlights include chanting, haircuts, and even the occasional interview, the big action scene coming near the end when the monks go outside for a bit. At nearly three hours it's one you may need to plan ahead to watch, as viewing it in chunks would be to miss the point, but to do so is certainly a contemplative, if perhaps not religious, experience. [Duncan Donnert]