Silence (2016)

Last updated:
September 23, 2024

Detailed Summary

The Mission Begins: Searching for Father Ferreira

Set in the 17th century, “Silence” follows two young Jesuit priests, Father Sebastião Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Father Francisco Garupe (Adam Driver), who embark on a perilous journey to Japan. Their mission is to find their mentor, Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson), who is rumored to have renounced his faith under persecution. The priests refuse to believe the rumors and set out to locate him in a land hostile to Christianity.

The Hidden Christians: Faith in Secrecy

Upon arrival in Japan, Rodrigues and Garupe discover a small community of hidden Christians who practice their faith in secret. These believers are desperate for spiritual guidance and risk everything to hide their religion from the brutal authorities. Rodrigues and Garupe minister to them while hiding from Japanese officials who are hunting down Christians.

The Capture: Rodrigues Faces His Faith

The priests are eventually separated. Rodrigues is captured by the samurai and subjected to intense psychological and physical suffering. He witnesses Japanese Christians tortured and killed unless they publicly renounce their faith. The Japanese officials use subtle and profound methods to break Rodrigues, focusing not just on physical torture but on the spiritual crisis they force upon him.

The Dilemma: Silence of God and Apostasy

The core struggle of the film is Rodrigues’s spiritual conflict. He grapples with the silence of God amid such suffering. His torment intensifies as he encounters Ferreira, who reveals that he has indeed apostatized and now lives as a Japanese citizen. Ferreira urges Rodrigues to step on the fumi-e (a carved image of Christ) to symbolically renounce his faith and save the lives of the tortured Christians.

The Act of Apostasy: The Crucial Decision

In a climactic moment, Rodrigues hears a voice he believes is Christ, telling him to step on the image to save the lives of others. In an agonizing decision, he complies, symbolizing his apostasy. This act marks a profound moment of internal defeat for Rodrigues, but it also raises questions about sacrifice, faith, and what it truly means to follow Christ.

Movie Ending

The film concludes ambiguously. Rodrigues lives the rest of his life in Japan, outwardly conforming to the local customs and renouncing his faith. However, in the final shot, it is revealed that Rodrigues dies clutching a small crucifix hidden in his hands, suggesting that his faith, though publicly denied, never fully disappeared. The ending leaves viewers questioning the nature of faith, silence, and redemption.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, “Silence” does not have any post-credits scenes.

Type of Movie

“Silence” is a historical drama with deep religious and philosophical themes, focusing on the spiritual struggle of faith under extreme persecution.

Cast

Andrew Garfield as Father Sebastião Rodrigues
Adam Driver as Father Francisco Garupe
Liam Neeson as Father Cristóvão Ferreira
Tadanobu Asano as The Interpreter
Issey Ogata as Inoue Masashige
Ciarán Hinds as Father Alessandro Valignano

Film Music and Composer

The film’s minimalist score, composed by Kathryn Kluge and Kim Allen Kluge, relies heavily on ambient sounds to reflect the theme of silence and create a haunting atmosphere. The use of natural sounds plays a significant role in the film’s tone.

Filming Locations

Taiwan: Most of the film was shot in the rugged landscapes of Taiwan, which served as a stand-in for 17th-century Japan. The dense forests and rocky shores add to the sense of isolation and danger the characters experience.

These locations were crucial in conveying the hostile environment and spiritual desolation faced by the characters.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Cinematography (Rodrigo Prieto).
BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Satellite Awards: Won Best Art Direction and Production Design.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The project was a passion project for director Martin Scorsese, who spent nearly 30 years trying to bring the story to the screen.
Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver underwent intense preparation, including losing significant weight and spending months in spiritual retreats to embody the roles of Jesuit priests.
Filming in the remote locations of Taiwan was physically and mentally demanding for the cast and crew, enhancing the realism of the suffering depicted on screen.

Inspirations and References

Source Material: The film is based on the 1966 novel “Silence” by Shūsaku Endō, which explores the themes of faith, doubt, and the clash between cultures.
Historical Context: The film is set during a time when Christianity was banned in Japan, leading to brutal persecution of Japanese Christians and foreign missionaries.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no significant alternate endings or deleted scenes publicly known. Scorsese’s adaptation closely follows the novel’s ending.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Faithful Adaptation: The film stays true to the novel’s themes and core narrative.
Narrative Focus: Some elements, like internal monologues and letters, are condensed to fit the film’s runtime, but the essence of the story remains intact.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The Fumi-e Test: The scene where Rodrigues is asked to step on the image of Christ is a powerful and symbolic moment.
Garupe’s Sacrifice: Garupe’s tragic attempt to save Christian prisoners at sea is a heartbreaking display of faith.
Rodrigues Meets Ferreira: The tense conversation between Rodrigues and Ferreira reveals the complexities of faith and doubt.

Iconic Quotes

“Our Lord said to them, ‘Go ye into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every living creature.’ But in Japan, there is only silence.”
“I pray but I am lost. Am I just praying to silence?”
“It was in the silence that I heard Your voice.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The use of silence and ambient sounds throughout the film is intentional, reflecting both the absence of God’s voice and the overwhelming presence of doubt.
The recurring image of the fumie symbolizes the film’s exploration of outward actions versus inner beliefs.

Trivia

Martin Scorsese’s passion for this project began after he read Endō’s novel in the 1980s.
Scorsese received a personal letter from Pope Francis expressing support for the film’s exploration of faith.
Liam Neeson’s character is loosely based on a real Jesuit missionary who faced similar struggles in Japan.

Why Watch?

“Silence” is a profound exploration of faith, doubt, and the complexities of religious conviction in the face of unimaginable suffering. It’s a visually stunning film that challenges viewers to reflect on their own beliefs and the nature of spiritual endurance.