"Madness, Rack, and Honey"

"Madness, Rack, and Honey" is a documentary film by filmmaker Ann Bennett that explores the contemporary monastic life of Benedictine nuns and monks in California. Through intimate footage and storytelling, it examines their daily routines, spiritual devotion, and the balance they maintain between tradition and modern challenges. The title references the emotional and physical strains (madness and rack) of monastic discipline, contrasted with the sweetness and fulfillment (honey) found in their spiritual devotion. Overall, it offers a candid look at how faith and dedication shape their lives in a modern context.