WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The oppression of one’s physical self can also permeate the soul, causing an all-encompassing breakdown that can lead to an endless inward wounding paired with the visibly tangible scars abusers leave, even leading to potentially more fatal ramifications. For the abused, can the longed-for escape be found? When will enough finally be enough? Perhaps it’s a wife (Elaine Kennedy) coming to pick up her child from a heartless husband (Thomas O’Carroll), who won’t even hand the child off without berating and attacking her, making her realize going back will never be an option. Maybe it’s a brother (Joseph Burke) at his sister’s (Martha Foley Keane) home where he’s still constantly called worthless, and worse, by both his wife (Selina Switzer) and her mother (Marian Moss).
Could it be what one woman (Mary Tuohy) visiting a friend’s (Rebecca Kemp) home finds herself witnessing upon hearing chaos downstairs where she comes and finds her friend’s husband (Eddie Flynn) assaulting her with a Bible with hard accusations and anger fueling his supposedly “religious” attitudes? Or, could it also be another woman’s (Miriam Moriarty Owens) plans to take a holiday being interrupted by the unexpected visit from her sister (Kemp), who’s barely able to speak, remaining mum to the reasons until a reveal is made that puts a shocking, disturbing truth to her sister’s plight and seeking of sanctuary? It is a series of disconcerting, devastating realities. Yet, for each, there is hope and freedom from ties that bind.
Next, my Mind:
It is beyond contestation that the specter of domestic violence remains a nasty blight on the world and a heartbreaking actuality for those caught up in its unforgiving wake. Because of this fact, being candidly bold in visually depicting the highly visceral and unnerving intensity of such abrasive encounters perpetrated by one person onto another through the medium of film is both searingly effective and purposefully presented as a call to action, a raising of awareness, and a necessary, evocative reminder that it’s a subject matter which should never be taken lightly, forgotten, worn out, or just treated as “the norm”. As such, this nine minute Irish indie short film effort from co-writers/co-directors/co-producers Switzer and Owens, along with co-writers/co-producers Kemp and Tuohy and co-director Kevin Maye, takes the beauty of simplicity in execution and marries it with arresting visual content to create four short vignettes that bluntly highlight the cringe-worthy violence, both verbal and physical, that occurs in each harrowing situation, all of which are based on real life incidents. To make the impact of these thematic explorations even more undisguised in their intent, a mix of wince-inducing statistics are offered up on screen both to start and end the film, while equally deft use of an opening sequence that illustrates the unsettling inward sense those abused might consistently feel of being relentlessly pursued and/or bound by their abusers even as the finale shines the needed ray of hope onto the proceedings to bring the ultimate message home–there are choices to make and freedom from abuse to be discovered with help and encouragement to do so from those who just might need to be the voices of reason to see those trapped and feeling there is no getting out from under domestic violence. In spite of the acutely harsh moments occurring, the film showcases some gorgeous landscape cinematography shot in Glentenassig Forest, Co. Kerry, Ireland that is, quite plainly, awe-inspiring. An original song, “Reborn”, from Tralee-based artist Martin Hurley compliments the ultimately positive conclusion to the film as well.
Equal credit needs to be leveled towards the entire ensemble cast assembled for this film, as truly, each enacts their character with passion, realism, and believability, which only makes the influential nature of the material reverberate within the viewer to superb effect. From Kennedy’s frantic wife just trying to leave with her child as O’Carroll’s angry, embittered husband storms outside to the car, hatchet in hand, with God-only-knows what intention, to Burke’s timid and verbally beaten down husband trying to find solace from Keane’s empathetic sister, even as he recalls the onslaught of verbal abuse he consistently suffers from his raging wife played by Switzer and the lack of any understanding, and hence further demoralizing hazing he endures, from her mother played by Moss. Onward we then view Tuohy’s unsuspecting and unassuming houseguest having to discover, to her total shock and subsequent, understandably indignant, reaction, Kemp’s wife character being both verbally and physically assaulted by Flynn’s husband, whose reaction to Tuohy’s character only makes us despise him even more, especially given that he most likely considers himself a religious, righteous man and that his wife somehow deserves what he dishes out. Finally, there is the slightly more subtle but no less impactful moments between Owen’s character, a woman just about to enjoy a needed holiday having the unanticipated visit from her sister, very well played by Kemp in her second role, who tries to hide the results of her abuse, but lacks the ability to even speak, which causes Owen’s character to finally find out what it actually happening and offer any help she can. Again, it is especially the overall pictures of maltreatment each actor playing the abused puts forth that elicits the sympathy and desire for them to break free and realize there is light at the end of the dark tunnel they’ve traveled. But, as mentioned, all actors involved carry off their roles very, very well.
Sobering, straightforward, vividly haunting, and powerfully affecting, “Silence Is Golden From Birth To Death”, in total, is a necessary, relevant battle cry to all of us around the world to be far more mindful and aware of domestic violence and what we can do to be a part of the solution to its cruel, remorseless reign that so drastically affects far too many men and women’s lives each and every day. As mentioned above, if by chance you don’t understand the reality of it all, just read every stat presented in this film’s beginning and end, let it sink in deep, and then try to just “shake it off”. I say, won’t happen.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
