By Will Barber Taylor

Fatma and her mother are Kurdish refugees in Italy. On their visit to the doctor, Fatma has to translate what the doctor tells her mother, but she keeps silent.

The Silence is a fascinating and beautiful film about integration and refugees at a tortuous time in European history. Focussing on the story of a young girl who must try to help her Mother integrate into an alien society and fully understand what is happening to them. The heartfelt nature of the film is beautiful depicted by directors Farnoosh Samadi and Ali Asgari and the cast of the film. The use of silence has often been seen as a backward step in film, harking back to the days of silent cinema, yet silence uses the concept of communication, and lack thereof, to create a poignant and emotionally driven narrative.

Directors Farnoosh Samadi and Ali Asgari expertly bring to life the story and, thought using limited sets, create great intensity and dramatic purpose in their film. The use of imaginative camera angles and slow, yet thoughtful shots ensure that the film has true dramatic purpose. Combined with the excellent score, the film has a tragic, melancholic feel that aids in the audience fully understanding the message behind it.

In conclusion, The Silence is an excellent short film that highlights how child refugees must adapt to their new surroundings and how they have to try and find a bond with their parents in a world which is alien to them. It is a truly profound piece of work which I cannot recommend any higher.