07.09.08
Review: “Silent Light”
Without so much as an introduction, the much talked about opening shot establishes Carlos Reygadas’ “Silent Light” (“Stellet Licht”) as more of a transcendental contemplation elevated by a pantheistic evaluation than a high-art, austere glorification. Whatever you call the Mexican’s third feature, it requires nothing but patience and an open mind for as rewarding as it may be, its virtues are matched by a sure-fire test of endurance. Reygadas’ almost painful attention to detail and aesthetic control are reason enough to endure the unnerving story that may be static and simplistic for the most part, but is anything but simple.
Beginning with a jaw dropping six-minute time-lapse of night becoming day, Reygadas’ scope makes a transition from nature in its miraculously hypnotic form (not to dissimilar from work by Terrence Malick, Carl Dreyer or even Robert Bresson), to a low-key, minimalist representation of a sect compromised of people who avoid emotional confrontation at all costs coming from their fear of the powers above, neither understood nor particularly explored. The film tracks Johan, the head of a large, religiously devout family in a Mennonite community in northern Mexico, as he battles with his internal confusion brought on by his passion for his mistress, Marianne (Maria Pankratz).
Believing that this passion is either a sanction from God or a burden delivered by the devil, Johan nonetheless holds himself accountable for desire that he, in actual fact, cannot or will not control. Where his religious beliefs, and those passed onto him through conversations with trusting friends and family members, do not serve as a definite excuse for what he is feeling, Johan wittingly traps himself in a tandem of momentous confliction. Without adding melodramatic frivolity to the situation, the intensely directed focus becomes compulsively unwavering for almost two and a half hours.
This uncomfortable isolation is exemplified by the cast, mostly made up of non-professional actors, delivering their stiff, mechanical lines in a German dialect known as “Plautdietsch.” Their lack of natural demonstration pertains to their crippling formality, out of place within themselves, their community and, essentially, the context of the modern world’s scrutiny. They chose their words carefully, hence the rigidity, and never speak out of turn. At once, they are God fearing, and yet at the same time they fear the extent a person can go if they follow their hearts and not their minds. We never get the feeling that they are “acting,” but rather behaving, and this is what makes them stand out in a film where the visuals could easily overpower the characters understated lives.
The actual setting of the film is not very important, you would never know where it was set if you did not take the time to find out. What is important is the conspicuously vivid world Reygadas allows his characters to inhibit, a world that serves as a bravura contrast to the ordinary but chaotic existence of those who live there. In between the films moments of vocal annunciation, Reygadas only allows the eerie silence of the unsaid to penetrate so far before the raw power of nature releases the screams that had been stifled for so long.
Combine the deliberately powerful sounds with the overabundance of natural, lively images, and you get a sort of Heaven on Earth, if not for the domestic misery and reality-bound complications. Almost every moment is sanctified, some to better effect than others, signalling the concentration of subtle imagery illuminated from within by a resolute heavenly light. Whether or not this divinity is noticed before tragedy or a miracle by the characters, its presence is intoxicating.
Reygadas’ exhibition of such an illumination does not necessarily pertain to a holy being in the unembellished sense, but perhaps speaks to the unexplainable spirit in his characters which results in separate parts of their beliefs repelling from one another. This would create large volumes of inexplicable friction in the fabric of their being; difficult for them to live with, and endlessly fascinating for viewers patient enough to allow his austere majesty wash over them, bathing them in a weighty protraction of distinguishing intimacy.
Vague and opaque, Reygadas seems to have found his voice; where he does not have to demand the attention of his viewers using provocative thematic devices. “Silent Light” is exhaustingly demanding (and tedious for a good portion of its running time), but comes with greater rewards compared to those attainable in his previous films, “Japón” and “Battle in Heaven.” If nothing else, “Silent Light” documents the Mexican director we hear so little about, when compared to the equally talented Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro González Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuarón, as he is slowly but surely making his way into more mature filmmaking. The lucidity of his unique vision has never been more apparent than in this astonishing work of draining art.
Fatac Rating: ****
Silent Light (Stellet Licht). Written and Directed by Carlos Reygadas. Cinematography by Alexis Zabe. Edited by Natalia Lopez. Starring: Cornelio Wall Fehr, Mariam Toews, Maria Pankratz, Peter Wall, Elizabeth Fehr and Jacobo Klassen. Running Time: 142 minutes. Age Restriction: Not Rated. Year: 2007. In Plautdietsch w/subtitles. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. [A]
Marilyn said,
July 9, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Nick, Some friends of mine absolutely raved about this film when they saw it at the Chicago International FF. It later was chosen as the top film in the fest (Gold Hugo Award). I didn’t see it because I was not a fan of Japon at all. Your review makes me regret it all the more. Your description reminds me of Into Great Silence, another film that requires a hefty dose of patience but then rewards it. If you’ve seen this film, how does it compare to Silent Light?
Nick Plowman said,
July 9, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Perhaps I missed something about the film; it hit me, I thought it was really good, but far from exceptional. It is, however, a work of art I think everyone should see -I think it will affect everyone differently. It lingers in the mind, and I love that. Most people who have seen it have raved about it, and to a certain degree I mostly highlight the strong aspects of the film in my review as there are no real “negative” aspects to speak of, rather just my reaction to it which was not as strong as I had hoped.
I have not seen “Into Great Silence” but I checked it out over at IMDb, and it sounds really interesting…So I will check it out, and tell you then. Sorry I could not have been of immediate help.
Marilyn said,
July 10, 2008 at 12:06 am
No worries. Just curious. Thanks!
Brandon Tysinger said,
July 10, 2008 at 1:05 am
I was not a huge fan of Japon, but I was one of the few people that kind of enjoyed Battle in Heaven. I confess though they were both a little hard to get through in some parts. Did one of your posts go missing?
Nick Plowman said,
July 10, 2008 at 1:08 am
I didn’t mind “Battle in Heaven” much either, just not a fan or anything. Same goes for “Japon.”
And yes, one of my posts did go missing my observant friend, and it had nothing to do with you or anything, I just didn’t like the way it turned out. Sorry, I’m really temperamental like that.
Daniel said,
July 10, 2008 at 1:57 am
Still interested in this one, just don’t know when/if/how I’ll get to it. Not one to watch when you’re sleepy, sounds like.
Nick Plowman said,
July 10, 2008 at 1:59 am
Oh hell no, you’ll be asleep before the first six minutes are over.
Justin said,
July 10, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Just rented it from the VideoSpot, hope it isn’t too boring, but I am in the mood for a thinker. Saw Tell No One last night, look forward to your review of it. I enjoyed it a lot.
I love Battle in Heavenbut have never seen Japon. I don’t really know what to expect….perhaps something like a quiet, effective mind fuck?
Nick Plowman said,
July 11, 2008 at 12:42 am
It isn’t boring, I loved it, I just expected something else. It grows on you.
I am writing my review of “Tell No One” right now, it might take a while, but I just saw it a second time, and loved it more.
“a quiet, effective mind fuck?” LOL, actually, that is exactly right :)
Jennifer K. said,
July 11, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Guess I’ll be waiting until winter to see it. I have heard nothing but good things about it, and I get that you really liked it. Can’t wait.
Nick Plowman said,
July 11, 2008 at 4:50 pm
It was good, not as good as I had imagined it would be, but good nonetheless. Whenever you can see it, I’d more than recommend it.
Justin said,
July 12, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Wonderful review, I loved this movie so, so much.
I’m going to go watch it again.
Thanks for the recommendation :)
Matthew Lucas said,
July 12, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I’m sure this is a wonderful review as always, and I’ll read it as soon as I see the film and write my own, which should be soon.
Nick Plowman said,
July 12, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Just – Glad you enjoyed it.
Matty – Can’t wait to hear your thoughts! It quite a hard film to explain, but its ultra-rewarding.
Dave said,
August 17, 2008 at 8:40 pm
This is such an excellent treatment of such an excellent film, I am so glad I read it. You really are a talent that is a wonder to behold. Are you paid for any of this work? You should.
Nick Plowman said,
August 17, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I don’t get paid, lol, but thanks for the compliment.
Sam Juliano said,
September 27, 2008 at 4:32 pm
This is a staggering MASTERPIECE of a film review. I am floored, but not surprised, as you have proven with several others that your work is top-drawer. I do agree gleefully with you that the film is to be compared with the work of Dreyer, Bresson and Malick. The composition (and eloquence) of your writing reaches its finest level in the last three paragraphs. This may well be your “piece de resistance” or “magnum opus.”
Nick Plowman said,
September 27, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Well I am glad my love for the film comes through in my review, that makes it all worthwhile!
And that means a helluva lot Sam, so thanks.
Midagi täiesti unikaalset | PÖFF said,
December 8, 2008 at 1:23 am
[...] Väga nõudlik film (ma ei pea mitte filmi pikkust silmas), ja oli ülimeeldiv, et seansile tulnud publik kuuldavalt ei söönud, joonud ega omavahel juttu ei ajanud. Vt filmist pikemalt: [...]
GoshWatcher said,
January 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I will get the chance to see this this weekend, and I am so glad!
Nick Plowman said,
January 7, 2009 at 11:42 am
Oh fantastic, I hope it mesmerises you as it did me, you must report back to me and tell me what you think!
p.s. make sure you get a good night’s rest the night before you see it, lol. Just a tip.