i always want to know what monastery be like . quiet and peaceful place of contemplation and compassion . and in today time where almost everybody write a book about almost everything and it shouldn not be a problem to find out . but i have no luck so far while until i have see this movie ( it really a documentary ) . this movie be shoot on a single small camera ( i be no expert ) use the light that be available at location . some of the shot be very grainy ( see above and i be no expert ) and those make a very dramatic effect . and apparently and it take 16 year for the monk to grant the filmmaker permission to film . and even then and only on his own and no artificial light . the film have almost no dialogue ( no need to learn latin to understand the movie ) and be almost 3 hour long . the camera freeze on a certain scene ( like somebody in prayer ) and stay there for a few minute and then it go to a different scene . i be especially impress by the recording of the change in the season . the beautiful location somewhere in france be highly suitable for that type of movie . large amount of snow follow by birdsong and lot of greenery in summer . combine that with a tremendous ability by the filmmaker to compose the picture and you be in for sensational treat . but it doesn not stop there and for the film take you into the monastery and i doesn not look in from the outside and it try to look in from the inside . this be not a documentary tell u how to be a monk in 10 easy to follow step . it rather explore the silence and the solitude . one of the repeated shot be of a red candle flicker inside a glass and no noise whatsoever and just the red glow use a tele lens . other shot be of monk in deep prayer or engage in their other activity . the film doesn not explain why these people choose to live a life like that . nor do it explain the level of self sufficiency . but what it do explain be the material sacrifice and the related spiritual freedom . i know that i be not the only one in today society to suffer from the stress of 21 first century life and the constant noise of our city . and probably from the breakdown of moral and ethical value in our society . i admire the monk that they be able and commit to that kind of life . it certainly appear to be a lot more difficult than to choose which tv channel to switch on ( or other mundane task ) . i always consider go into monastery a a step too far . not anymore now and but i fear it be still a step too big for me . a final note represent this movie last for about 3 hour and and it be a very encouraging way to assess your level of patience and consideration and and several people walk out when i watch it . but the reward be exceptional and i come out a slightly different person . and even if you be not interested in religion or monastery and the photographic value of this movie be more than anything i have ever see before . the shot selection and composition be outstanding .