Into Great Silence

“Nineteen years after his first encounter with the monks of the legendarily strict and reclusive Carthusian Order, Philip Gröning was finally granted permission to film their daily life within the Grande Chartreuse monastery in the French Alps. Living among them for several months, Gröning’s lucid portrayal is characterized by the austerity of the monks; large portions of the narrative are entirely silent, the visuals gorgeously pure..… As time passes, little changes. There is a singularity of purpose in both their lives and in the film, creating, says Gröning, ‘a film like a cloud…a film that, more than depicting a monastery, becomes a monastery itself.’ The result is a meditative journey that is richly experienced rather than just observed, offering insights into a life of simplicity, silence, and deep contemplation.” — Ilya Tovbis, San Francisco International Film Festival

“A German documentary about Roman Catholic monks who barely utter a word, Into Great Silence runs 162 minutes — 162 engrossing, entrancing, enlivening minutes… Grace, it seems, makes little noise.” — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

Film Details

Country: Germany
Language: French

Year: 2006

Running time: 162 min
Format: 35mm

Director: Philip Gröning

Producers: Philip Gröning, Michael Weber, Andres Pfäffli, Elda Guidinetti

Cinematographer: Philip Gröning

Editor: Philip Gröning
Print Source: Zeitgeist Films

Films and schedules may be subject to change.

Modern Cinema’s Founding Supporters are Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein. Generous support is provided by Nion T. McEvoy and the Susan Wildberg Morgenstein Fund. Additional support is provided by Becky Draper.