The Silence
The Silence is a film made with the help of non-professional actors and inhabitants of the cinema lovers of the city of Larochelle (France).
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This film is dedicated to Iranian film maker Abbas Kiarostami.
Vania, a 10-year-old boy, lives with his father and his little baby sister in poverty, in a shack by the seaside. His father, an Eastern European immigrant, ekes out an existence by playing the violin in the streets of a big city; he rises in the early morning and leaves the baby in Vania’s care.
One day, Vania witnesses a fight between two men on the beach. One of them savagely hits the other with a rod and runs away. The man who was knocked down, badly injured and seemingly on the verge of death, urges Vania to hurry and fetch a so-called Mr Herzog, a school teacher, insisting that he should not tell anyone what has happened. After some hesitation, Vania, filled with fear and pity, abandons the house and the baby, and starts in search of Mr Herzog.
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The same day, a detainment center for illegal immigrants was set on fire. A large police force is commissioned to transfer the detainees to another site. During the transfer, some manage to escape.
The film shows the anxious wandering of this child, caught up for the whole day in a desperate quest through the town, while the police are scouring the streets, hunting the fugitives. In the tumult, Vania is taken to the police station and finally released after being closely interrogated. At last, Vania goes home, exhausted and in despair. On the beach, a surprise awaits him...
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This story evokes the indifference, racism and potential cruelty of mankind. It is also a fable about illusion, loneliness and the inability of humans to communicate with each other.
Participation in festivals
Phoenix Film Festival, Melbourne (Australia), March 2018
Hoboken International Film Festival, New-York (USA), May 2018
Portoviejo Film Festival, Ecuador, June 2018
Lakecity International Film Festival, India, July 2018, Iran special: best feature film
Festival Del Cinema Di Taurasi, Italy, August 2018, best male performer
6e Ficlapaz - La Paz International Film Festival, Bolivia, September 2018
Tryon International Film Festival, North Caroline (USA), October 2018
Film Columbia, New-York (USA), October 2018
Ojai Film Festival, California (USA), November 2018