The Cloud of Unknowing

16mm-2k, HD │ Stereo │ 2019

A Trappist monastery in Spencer, Massachusetts and spiritual seekers in the city of Boston, explore themes of contemplation, Christian mysticism and the quest for God.

The Cloud of Unknowing (2019) won Best NH Short Documentary at the New Hampshire Film Festival and was accepted into the Orlando Film Festival as well as the BendFilm Festival. The film made its broadcast debut on Vermont PBS the day after Christmas 2019.

In 2018, Anthony and Wes approached St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, MA with our concept for a documentary about the monastery. With the Abbot’s permission, they interviewed six monks and discreetly filmed Vigils, Lauds, Sext, Vespers and Compline from 3:30am-8:00pm.

The title, The Cloud of Unknowing, is derived from the 14th century text of the same name. The text is a spiritual guide on contemplative prayer in the late Middle Ages.

The film can be viewed on Spencer Abbey’s website.