“Silence”
I had read that Martin Scorsese had been thinking about making this movie for 28 years and his commitment never faltered through funding problems, scheduling conflicts, and legal challenges. Taiwan was chosen as the filming location for its cost effectiveness, the crew worked for minimum pay, and the actors worked for scale. Scorsese’s storied dedication and his own internal search for spirituality has resulted in an outstanding film.
After learning that a priest living in Japan, Father Ferreira, had committed apostasy after being tortured, two priests set out from Macao to find him. The movie is set in mid-17 century Japan and is based on a story of the same name by Shusaku Endo. The two priests witness drownings, a beheading, and cruel deaths as the samurai charged with eradicating Christianity torture the believers. The movie gives no answers but invites introspection and contemplation of the silence that permeates our spiritual lives.
I did not grow up in a religious household, have not experienced spiritual turmoil, and am not an avid moviegoer. In the December of my life, I enjoy old musicals, comedies, and light romance. “Silence” is not a movie for everyone, but I know that it is a masterpiece.