Writer-director Lorena Villareal’s Silencio sets itself at the heart of a real-life spiritual phenomenon in the heart of Mexico. According to the film-makers, the Zona Del Silencio (The Zone of Silence) yields the same mystique that many of the Seven Wonders of the World hold. It is a region in Mexico with the same capabilities as the legendary Bermuda Triangle, a place that has been used a number of times for great dramatic effect in both film and TV.
Ana (Melina Matthews) is a psychiatrist and single mother who is caring for both her son Felix and grandfather Dr. James White (Lord Of The Rings actor John Noble). White is now suffering from dementia, but back in 1970 he discovered a mystical stone in the Zone of Silence with his apprentice Dr. Peter (Sherlock‘s Rupert Graves). Ana is also grieving over the death of her family, and her grandfather has also had visions of the incident when the stone yields its power.
The stone becomes a major source of value, not only to Ana and Dr. Peter, but when Felix is kidnapped by a mystery man the true power of its worth begins to unleash crucial potential in terms of destiny and fate.
This is a carefully underplayed sci-fi time displacement drama in the realm of The Butterfly Effect and Quantum Leap and, like the very best examples, much of it has to be carefully thought out for the core idea to be pulled off. Director Villareal has certainly got that down pat and creates an excellent ensemble of performances, notably from Matthews who commands a dual dialect with confidence and competence.
Silencio also has a solid human heart throughout and provides food for thought to more intellectual sci-fi fans who will appreciate a more well-worked narrative like Ex Machina or Inception. It’s an interesting effort and Villareal has much to be pleased with, as does the target audience after they watch this.
SILENCIO / CERT: UNRATED / DIRECTOR: LORENA VILLARREAL / SCREENPLAY: LORENA VILLARREAL / STARRING: NOVAK RICARDO CANAMAR, ANNA CETTI, MICHAEL CHAUVET / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
