Universalist v nationalist religious loyalties

Rating: 8/10 (8 January 2017)

Before going to watch this movie I had read a lot of reviews and opinions about it. Positive and negative. In Greece where I live the review of the leading daily "Kathimerini" was politely and mildly negative. I share an interest in the portrayal of religion and spirituality on film therefore I decided that "Silence" was worth seeing. Despite a rather unpromising start mainly because of the vivid depiction of human misery and wretchedness, the story becomes more interesting, the depiction of Japanese society more diversified and you are treated with some superb dialogue between characters embodying different world views.
Japanese authorities regard Christianity as a subversive force and a foreign influence threatening the independence of their country. The argument is that Christianity may be good and true for Portugal and Spain but that does not mean that the same can be told for Japan. To this point the hero of the story Jesuit Father Rodriguez answers that something can be true regardless of time and place denying thus relativism and parochialism in religion. If we supplant 17nth century Roman Catholicism with modern day Human Rights we may have a glimpse of the same perennial debate couched in present day terms.
I will not enter in more detail so as not to reveal the plot to those not yet familiar with it. Although the setting of the movie is situated in 17nth century Japan and the predicament of Christians there, the questions asked have a far wider significance and resonate to our own times as well. The context is Catholic Christianity but one can ponder to the limits we can go to be steadfast to the beliefs which form the core of our identity. The sufferings people undergo to remain constant to their faith. On the other hand one has to reflect on the right of a culture and a society to safeguard its particularity against what is perceived as onerous foreign influence. Those are not easy questions and the movie does not give easy answers.
Images are striking especially those of nature, weather and sea. A feast for the eyes. Dialogue is also top notch specifically concerning issues of truth, religion, tradition and such topics. The actors are very good. The pace is rather slow and the depiction of torture quite disturbing. Misery and wretchedness abound but also wit and conviction.
I do not think this movie is a masterpiece but I found many things to be impressed. If your are interested in spiritual issues you should probably watch it. It is boring at times but it is original, brave and special. If such questionings leave you cold then you should think twice before attempting to go....