The Monastery: Mr. Vig and the Nun

Name: The Monastery: Mr. Vig and the Nun
Genre: Documentary
Released: August 29, 2007
Duration: 84 min
Rating: 66

2007

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Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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The Monastery: Mr. Vig And The Nun

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Movie Details & Credits

Koch Lorber Films | Release Date: August 29, 2007

Summary: Mr. Vig is an elderly, deeply eccentric, never-married Dane, living alone in a ramshackle castle; he dreams of donating his homestead to the Russian Orthodox Church to become a monastery. In a long, black overcoat, with a shock of unruly white hair, and glasses perched on the tip of his nose, he looks like a character straight out ofMr. Vig is an elderly, deeply eccentric, never-married Dane, living alone in a ramshackle castle; he dreams of donating his homestead to the Russian Orthodox Church to become a monastery. In a long, black overcoat, with a shock of unruly white hair, and glasses perched on the tip of his nose, he looks like a character straight out of Dickens. Enter Sister Ambrosija, a remarkably attractive young Russian nun, who arrives with a small entourage and plans to whip the place into shape. A whirlwind of activity (days begin at 5:30 am), she insists upon extensive repairs; Mr. Vig wants Band-Aids, whereas she suggests surgery. Their contest of wills plays out in humorous, offbeat encounters that take unexpected turns as two unlikely people find companionship and common ground. Hauntingly shot, The Monastery is a modern fairytale with timeless roots. (Film Forum)… Expand

Director: Pernille Rose Grønkjær

Genre(s): Documentary

Runtime: 84 min

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Critic Reviews

100

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

Against all odds, you'll leave this remarkable film caring quite a bit for the old coot -- surely a sign of a very good documentary. Read full review

V.A. Musetto

Gronkjaer's cinematography is pleasing, with beautiful sunsets and tranquil snowscapes. I won't give away the ending, but it might bring a tear to your eye. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

An oddly graceful combination of fairy tale and romantic comedy, set in a forgotten corner of the world. Read full review

Leslie Felperin

Using material shot sporadically over six years, TV-experienced helmer Pernille Rose Gronkjaer builds an affectionate but admirably unsentimental portrait of her eccentric, headstrong protagonists. Read full review

Noel Murray

Between their bickering, Grønkjær's offscreen prompting, and the sappy, ubiquitous soundtrack, The Monastery is like the opposite of "Into Great Silence." Read full review

Jack Mathews

It may be that Gronkjaer couldn't get the nun to open up to her. But not knowing much about her creates an awkward imbalance that Vig, fascinating as he is, can't overcome. Read full review

Stephen Holden

Despite some pretty seasonal photography and evocative scenes of the nuns’ rigorous daily rituals, which involve many hours of prayer, The Monastery is a flighty, disorganized film with a blurry timeline and a wandering attention span. Read full review

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User Reviews

FenarA.

Feb 9, 2008

It was one of the best documentary of last year.

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JamesC.

May 3, 2008

The first good European film I've seen about Russian Orthodoxy. Far surpasses the glitz of Ostrov -- The Island. Understated and very real! This is a documentary... real people, real situation.

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