"Into Great Silence" lives up to its title. Through this documentary film, the viewer enters into the silence, the beauty and rhythm of monastic life. German filmmaker Philip Gröning, in this almost 3 hour-film, takes us on a journey of the spirit into the Carthusian monastery of Chartreuse in the postcard-perfect French Alps.

Gröning made contact with the monks asking to film in the monastery; 16 years later the monks called back and said they were ready for him. He spent a year in preparation and six months in the monastery, filming alone with no crew. He captures the daily routine of prayer, liturgy, meals, solitude and quiet.

His pacing and cinematography are entrancing, at one moment capturing the monks chanting in the church while at another moment showing the play of light and shadow on the wooden floor of a monk's cell. The winter scenes of snow and ice in the surrounding mountains and on the rooftops of the monastery are a reminder of the need to slow down and be with God's creation.

In this day of fast-paced, rapid camera moves and endless editing, this film relies on tried and true methods --- no slick camera angles or movements, no zoom-ins or slow motion, just beautifully frame the shot and let the camera roll, let the action or lack thereof unfold.

The rhythm of the monastery is mirrored in the conscious placement of the camera, the lingering on a shot, and the editing to bring the viewer in closer to the scene. We observe as the camera does: the monks getting their hair cut, no talking merely the buzz of the electric clippers, the monk barber moving deliberately and respectfully. It all seems so natural.

In Gröning's "fly on the wall" method of documentary filmmaking, his camera simply but stunningly records and captures what is happening: no commentary or interpretive voice-over, no interruption, nothing staged, no music track. It is all about observing.

I found myself wanting the filmmaker to linger longer on a shot, just to be with it and to savor it, to notice more of what was in the frame. I began noticing things and wanting to stay with them a little longer: the dripping of the icicles from the roof, the candle glowing in the chapel and the face of an elderly monk. I wondered what could be next, what more could Gröning show, and then a new scene would reveal another aspect of the life of the monks or a simple shot of flowers beginning to bloom.

This Carthusian monastery, practices the strictest of ascetic observances. And yet, when Monday arrives, community day, there is time for talking, for a walk in the mountains, and some playfulness in the snow.

The noise of the world (TV, radio, MP 3 players) has not entered into their lives to interrupt the silence. And, yet, as the church bell tolled to call the monks to prayer or work, I became more conscious of the sound. Silence does that, again the noticing of the sounds, the day-to-day noises of the footfall of steps or drops of rain splashing on the stone walkways. One begins to listen more intently.

In this time of Lent, we are reminded through this film of the wonders of "getting away" for a time of prayer, of solitude, of being with God in a very deliberate and renewing way.

"Into Great Silence" has a limited one-week local run, March 9-15, at the Nuart Theatre, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. Groups of 25 can get discounted tickets: (310) 473-8530. Show times: (310) 281-8223.

For additional information on the film: www.zeitgeistfilms.com. For information on the Carthusian monastery: www.chartreux.org.

Jesuit Father Ron Schmidt is an independent film producer, living at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood. He assists at weekend Masses at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tujunga.