10 Movies & Shows Like The Monk and the Gun

Description: This film follows a man's spiritual journey and quest for meaning after experiencing the horrors of war, resonating with the reference title's exploration of personal growth and existential questions.

Fact: The film is based on the 1944 novel of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham. It was Bill Murray's first dramatic role, and he took a four-year hiatus from acting to prepare for it.

Description: This epic historical drama explores the life of a figure caught between tradition and modernity, much like the reference title's focus on cultural transition and the impact of political changes on personal identity.

Fact: The film was the first Western production to be allowed to shoot in the Forbidden City. It won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Description: A visually poetic film about the allure of the ocean and the human desire to connect with nature, paralleling the reference title's emphasis on the beauty and mystery of the natural world.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life rivalry between free divers Jacques Mayol and Enzo Maiorca. The underwater scenes were shot without special effects, using real free divers.

Description: A story of a couple's journey into the Sahara Desert, exploring themes of alienation, cultural dislocation, and the search for meaning, much like the reference title's focus on existential and cultural themes.

Fact: The film is based on the 1949 novel by Paul Bowles, who also appears in the film as the narrator. The production faced extreme weather conditions, including sandstorms and scorching heat.

Description: A historical drama about the clash between European missionaries and Indigenous cultures, highlighting themes of cultural misunderstanding and the struggle to preserve traditional ways of life, similar to the reference title's exploration of cultural conflict.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Quebec and features dialogue in Algonquin, Mohawk, and French. It was the first major film to depict the lives of the Indigenous peoples of Canada in the 17th century.

Description: A visually stunning non-narrative film that captures the beauty and diversity of human cultures and natural landscapes, emphasizing themes of harmony and disruption, similar to the reference title's exploration of cultural and environmental themes.

Fact: The film was shot in 24 countries over 14 months. It is known for its use of time-lapse photography and lack of dialogue, relying entirely on imagery and music to tell its story.

Description: A story of personal transformation and cultural immersion, set against the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas, echoing the reference title's themes of self-discovery and the clash of cultures.

Fact: The film was banned in China due to its portrayal of the Dalai Lama. The production faced numerous challenges, including altitude sickness among the crew.

Description: This film shares a meditative and cyclical storytelling approach, focusing on the passage of time and the spiritual journey of its characters, mirroring the introspective and philosophical tone of the reference title.

Fact: The film was shot entirely on a floating monastery built on Jusan Pond in South Korea. Each season was filmed in real time to capture the natural changes in the environment.

Description: A heartwarming story about the bond between a grandmother and her grandson, set against the backdrop of rural life, reflecting themes of tradition, simplicity, and the clash between old and new values.

Fact: The film was a major box office success in South Korea, becoming the second highest-grossing Korean film at the time of its release. The grandmother character does not speak throughout the entire film.

Description: This documentary explores the profound connection between humanity and nature, much like the way it is depicted in the reference title. It delves into themes of cultural transformation and the impact of modernization on traditional ways of life.

Fact: The film won the Un Certain Regard Special Prize at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. It is a collaboration between Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, the son of the documentary's subject, Sebastião Salgado.