A captivating film

Rating: Null/10 (7 April 2017)

This film tells the story of two priests from Portugal, who goes to Japan in 1600's in search for a priest who seems to have disappeared from severe religious persecution. They arrive in Japan, and find many converts living in hiding. However, their faiths are severely tested when they are captured by the authorities, who torture them without mercy.
I was not quite prepared for the intensity of the story. Religious persecution is something I think is wrong and is avoidable. Religions preach love and kindness, and hence I am unable to comprehend religious persecution. That's why watching "Silence" was a tough experience. As the physical and mental torture goes on, it wears the priests down, and it wears me down too. I felt so sad for the people in those harsh and even inhumane situations. It makes viewers think whether there is a price for things you believe in. It is a chilling and profound film. Even with the 161 minutes of screen time, the film did not feel long because it is captivating and engrossing.