From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia

Related e

Wikipedia Wiktionary Shop Featured: Rhombicuboctahedron by Leonardo da Vinci

Silent Light (also known as Stellet Licht and Luz silenciosa) is a 2007 film written and directed by the Mexican filmmaker Carlos Reygadas. It is a Mexican, French and Dutch co-production. The original title (Stellet Licht) and the language of the film is Plautdietsch -- the language of the Russian Mennonites.

Contents 1 Plot 2 Production 3 Response 4 Awards

Plot

Filmed in Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, a city in the north of Mexico, Silent Light takes us inside a Mennonite community. Johan, a married man, falls in love with another woman against the laws of God and Man.

Production

Carlos Reygadas’ films are known for their long sequences, particular rhythm, and the use of nonprofessional actors. In Japon (2002), Batalla en el cielo (2005), and Silent Light (2007), Reygadas worked with people whom he has come across in his everyday life. All those who make an appearance on Silent Light are authentic Mennonites of the communities of Mexico, Germany and Canada.

Response

• "All the scenes shine with a visual and emotional brilliance." – Time
• "A masterpiece." – Time
• "Reygadas’ genius makes every moment sacred." – Le Monde
• "One of the most daring self-taught directors in world cinema."
• "A majestic film." – Le monde
• "Silent light stays memory." – Hollywood Reporter
• "An apparently simple story about forgiving… the images are of extraordinary beauty." – Manohla Dargis, New York Times
• "The characters seem to be illuminated from the inside." – Manohla Dargis, New York Times

Awards

• 2007 Cannes Film Festival – Jury Prize (Winner)
• 2007 Chicago International Film Festival – Gold Hugo (Winner)
• 2007 Huelva International Film Festival - Colón de Oro (Winner)
• 2007 Bergen International Film Festival - Norwegian Film Institute's Import Award (Winner)
• 2007 Stockholm International Film Festival - Best Script (Winner)
• 2007 Havana Film Festival - Grand Coral (Winner)

Silent Light (Stellet Licht, Luz silenciosa) is eligible as Mexico’s submission for the Oscar (Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film) in Hollywood 2008.