‘Silence’

In 17th century Japan, Christians practice their faith on threat of torture or even death and it is in this world that Scorsese fashions ‘Silence’ (2016). A moving, meditative and evocative film based on Shusaku Endo’s historical novel of the same name (1966).

Telling the story of two Portuguese priests who take it upon themselves to retrieve their fellow and mentor who is rumoured to have renounced his Christianity in Japan, the film alights on Fathers Rodrigues and Garupe played by Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver.

Plucked deftly out of pop culture (Garfield played Spidey and Driver is ‘Star Wars” Kylo Ren), the actors access subtlety far beyond what one would initially imagine.

Navigating Scorsese’s hushed, clandestine scenes with charisma and restraint, the duo breathe compelling life into a film over 25 years in the making.

A labour of love for the Catholic Scorsese and one in which his obsession seems manifest in the devout and beseeching Garupe, ‘Silence’ lingers in the mind but also on screen for about 30 minutes too long.

Pausing on hands and feet held in supplication or desecration, waiting as waves crash and men slowly die, Rodrigo Prieto’s cinematography is sublime and underscores much of the strange beauty inherent in a story about those alternately consumed or abandoned by their faith.

A tale of conviction, doubt and an intriguing slice of history shedding some shadow on Buddhism as a religion of non-violence, ‘Silence’ is Scorsese directing from the soul and a rare art house treat at our local cinemas.

Want to watch ‘Silence’ (2016) or a movie of your choice at Ster-Kinekor? Win a double movie ticket by answering the following question : In which century does ‘Silence take place ? Send your full name and your answer via SMS to 45045, using the keyword MOVIE. Competition closes Friday at 17h00.

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