Review of Silence (2017) by Brandon S — 05 Jun 2017

A masterful exploration of faith, desperation, turmoil, lamentation, and martyrdom. It's a heart-wrenching work of art from the greatest living filmmaker.

This is neither an indictment of Christianity, nor an endorsement of it. It is, however, a beautiful work that is willing to take an unbiased look at faith as a concept that permeates all of humanity. There is the picturesque, '50s Japanese cinema inspired cinematography from Rodrigo Prieto, the deeply complex and naturalistic performances from the incredible ensemble, and the magnificent direction by Scorsese.

All of it adds up to something special; something that I feel that I've experienced true faith in. I am a Christian, and I went in believing, but great works of art that explore the faith or man's search for God, I believe, have a way of affirming that belief in some way. "Silence" is a film that endowed my faith with vitality and artistic beauty in a way that no film has since Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life". I didn't need to see this film to believe in Christ, but my faith in Christ was challenged and then uplifted and affirmed by the art. I'm grateful for this movie.

Art and creativity defy any linear or logical earthly thinking on humanity and creation. It is a purely unnatural act; it isn't needed to survive. It is created to be shared with a community or with another individual. "Silence" is a prime example of fine art that deserves to be celebrated and discussed.