A Question of Silence
1982
Directed by Marleen Gorris
I have so many thoughts about this film that I apologize if I come across as a bit muddled. I have been going into movies blind lately, without reading any kind of description of their plot beforehand. I had no idea what this film was going to be about and I am pretty sure I watched most of it with jaw on the ground. It was probably really attractive.
Three women who have never met before brutally kill a male shopkeeper, while several other females watch impassively. A psychiatrist (also a woman) tries to ascertain whether or not the murderers were sane or not for their upcoming trial.
I have complained constantly on this blog about the treatment of women in film. I can't help it; so many classic movies contain absolutely brutal acts of violence against women (not to mention the lack of representation). Then we have a movie like this come along that is just so shocking and extreme. Maybe we needed to see something this jolting after decades of silence.
Maybe not. I know a lot of men are up in arms about this film. I watched it on YouTube and one commentator accused anyone who liked this movie of being men haters with penis envy. Funny that the same brutal criticism isn't given to men who like "A Clockwork Orange" or "Irreversible" for example. Anyway, I am not saying I condone the act these women commit. I actually feel a bit like the psychiatrist. She doesn't necessarily approve of these women but she naturally finds herself opposed to the women's persecutors (and, in this case, prosecutors).
Definitely a film I will have to turn over in my mind for awhile. The courtroom scene is truly unforgettable. And what about when the prosecutor urges the psychiatrist to be objective and she replies, "And by objective, you mean your opinion?" What a boss.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Won the Grand Prix at the Creteil International Women's Film Festival.
