Essene

A small Benedictine monastery in the state of Michigan. Wiseman documents comunal life here with his camera; we see the monks singing and praying, but also discussing their daily routines and their co-habitation. The film’s title is a reference to the Essenes, a pre-Christian sect that adhered to strict ascetic practices. The Benedictines in ESSENE cannot ignore modern life, and discussions frequently revolve around the conflict between personal needs and higher-ranking religious factors. Rarely screened, ESSENE is one of the most beautiful films there is about religion and faith. (hb)