Showing at the Film Forum, New York City, August 31 - September 11, 2007

Mr. Vig is an idiosyncratic 86-year-old bachelor who owns a castle in Denmark. He is a lonely man who never married and states at one point in this documentary directed by Pernille Rose Gronkjaer that the only person he ever loved was his father. His mother was constantly criticized for everything she ever did. That made such an impression on Mr. Vig that he never got on well with women. He admits that his peculiar obsession with noses has also been part of the reason why he never was involved in an intimate relationship.

For years, Mr. Vig has wanted to turn his castle into a monastery. This yearning finally becomes a possibility when the Russian Orthodox church sends Sister Amvrosija to check out the castle and assess the options. She is a very efficient women who immediately gives Mr. Vig her daily schedule which includes many hours in prayer. He continues to putter around the castle making repairs. Sister Amvrosija is distraught about the bad leak in the roof and wants it all repaired. Mr. Vig wonders whether she is exaggerating things, and they clash over the matter. It also bothers him to have her and the nuns who have come with her constantly under foot. He is used to living as a hermit, as evidenced by his wild white beard and patched clothes.

The Monastery: Mr Vig & The Nun is an engaging documentary about the difficult spiritual practice of generosity. All the world's religions emphasize the value of giving to others. Mr. Vig's heart is in the right place when he decides to turn his castle into a Russian Orthodox monastery, and Sister Amvrosiha assures him that his good deed will please God. But his ego gets in the way of his generosity, and when he starts asserting his rigid views, the entire project is put in jeopardy.

It is fascinating to watch this spiritual drama play out before our eyes. Letting go is one of the ingredients of generosity, and it is not easy for any of us to relinquish ideas and habit energies which have animated our lives.

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