Silentium: From Life in the Convent

The Benedictine monastery of Habsthal, which is located in the Swabian Alps just north of Lake Constance, celebrated the 750th anniversary of its founding in 2009, but it is currently occupied by only four nuns (most in their 90s), and an elderly priest. Sobo Swobodnik's austerely beautiful black-and-white documentary follows this quintet as they continue to practice their Rule's regimen of prayer and work. At specified times of day—signaled by the ringing of a bell in the hallway—all assemble in the little chapel to chant the divine office. Otherwise, they tend to the more mundane duties that they are still physically able to manage. Sisters Hildegard, Lidwina, and Walburga sew, iron, and prepare the table for the modest meals that they take in common (and in silence, except for prayer), while Sister Kornelia, the youngest (and the prioress), tends the garden and handles contact with the outside world, including serving as hostess to groups of laypeople who tour the monastery, talking about its long history and present difficulties. It is inspiring to watch these women being faithful to the lifestyle they adopted decades ago when the community was thriving, and poignant to hear one express the perhaps forlorn hope that Habsthal can continue to be a place where God's praises will be sung after she is gone. The crisis of Christian monasticism in today's secularized world has rarely been so simply and eloquently captured. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)