Didn't know where to put this in the forum but since it is about a religious order (maybe someone has commented on in another topic).

Has anyone viewed the film Into Great Silence by German filmmaker Philip Groning? It is about Carthusian order the Grande Chartreuse located in the French Alps.

It is absolutely breathtaking!

Synopsis

Nestled deep in the postcard-perfect French Alps, the Grande Chartreuse is considered one of the world’s most ascetic monasteries. In 1984, German filmmaker Philip Gröning wrote to the Carthusian order for permission to make a documentary about them. They said they would get back to him. Sixteen years later, they were ready. Gröning, sans crew or artificial lighting, lived in the monks’ quarters for six months—filming their daily prayers, tasks, rituals and rare outdoor excursions. This transcendent, closely observed film seeks to embody a monastery, rather than simply depict one—it has no score, no voiceover and no archival footage. What remains is stunningly elemental: time, space and light. One of the most mesmerizing and poetic chronicles of spirituality ever created, INTO GREAT SILENCE dissolves the border between screen and audience with a total immersion into the hush of monastic life. More meditation than documentary, it’s a rare, transformative theatrical experience for all

Sr_Betsy, if you search under "carthusian" you can find a considerable discussion on phatmass vocations of this film which released on dvd and now is available thru netflix. I hope it helps their vocations, which are faltering world-wide. If you can get it, see also the second dvd of bonus material, especially the extended interview with the blind monk, which is really amazing.

There are a number of Carthusians who are exclaustrated, still members of the order, but living on the outside or under mitigated circumstances. The book, "An Infinity of Little Hours", also discussed in this forum and available cheaply thru www.bookseller.com or amazon, describes life in Parkhurst Charterhouse in England in the 1960's. thsis book was written by the wife-ph.d. historian-writer of one of the five men who entered-one stayed- with the consultation of a number of Carthusians who liked her and the book. So it's not an 'expose', but a description of a very difficult type of religious lifestyle.

There' s another book about one man's sojourn thru the only charterhouse in the US, Transfiguration in Vermont, and its difficulties, "The Sounds of Silence" which I have ordered but not received yet.

sr_betsy' date='Jan 20 2008, 10:27 AM' post='1448421']
Didn't know where to put this in the forum but since it is about a religious order (maybe someone has commented on in another topic).

Has anyone viewed the filmInto Great Silence by German filmmaker Philip Groning? It is about Carthusian order the Grande Chartreuse located in the French Alps.

It is absolutely breathtaking!
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Dear Sister, if one buys from Amazon,i mean Amazon.uk the double DVD with soundtrack is available. and
below are links to some of the threads on here about this film.
pax

http://www.lovetobecatholic.com/video_376_...ler_promo).html

http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...t&p=1391575
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http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...t&p=1408280
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http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...t&p=1415691
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http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...;hl=carthusians
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http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...;hl=carthusians
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http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...;hl=carthusians
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http://www.lovetobecatholic.com/video_428_...reuse-1964.html
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http://www.gloria.tv/?search=chartreuse&am...earchsubmit.y=0

Thanks. I'm sorry for the confusion. I actually viewed it but failed to see it in the forum. Thanks for letting me know it has be posted.

sr betsy