The Silence (1963)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

The Silence (1963) – I. Bergman

I’ve seen this film several times now and for some reason I always feel a bit of a repulsion to it – this could be a product of its deeply pessimistic view of reality, the fact that Bergman mostly eschews dialogue (leaving the image to tell everything), or because the film is largely static (we start on a train journey which soon leaves us stranded in a hotel in an unknown country where no one speaks our language and we do not understand theirs).  Without much dialogue, viewers might struggle to understand the relationships between the three principals – a young boy (Bergman surrogate Jörgen Lindström), his earthy sensuous but bored mother (Gunnel Lindblom), and her sister, a tense repressed and seriously ill translator (Ingrid Thulin).  The film basically shows the way that each of these three copes with the predicament of being alive (alcohol, sex, and curiosity) – there is no sign of God whatsoever and not even any mention of him (unlike in the previous two films in this supposed trilogy).  In fact, humans are alone in this version of reality, unable to communicate with each other let alone with a deity – as a result, everyone flounders.  Some critics suggest that Bergman has essentially given up on humanity, presenting both intellect (Thulin) and feeling (Lindblom) as separately defective approaches to life – and now relationships no longer hold the promise of salvation. Others see a ray of hope in the young boy’s attitude and the final attempt to communicate made by his aunt (potentially on her deathbed). A travelling band of circus performers, all little people, also staying in the hotel, suggests what? That life shouldn’t be taken seriously? But violence seems to be ever present as well (ominous tanks move through the city outside the window). With its lack of plot and presumed symbolism, the film is largely opaque but the images are beautiful and, sans dialogue, everything is very sensuous.  (Indeed, The Silence was banned in several countries (or edited) due to its very explicit depictions of sexuality).  End result: Your interpretation may vary!