A Place Called Silence

Just came back from the cinema where I watched the remake of Boon-lip (Sam) Quah's "A Place Called Silence" from 2022... I couldn't help but wonder why a remake of the same movie was made just two years later by the same director!

The 7:50 P. M. session only had 20 people, so I was able to choose the best seats for an optimal viewing experience. The cinematography was impressive, with vibrant colors throughout, typical of many Chinese films nowadays. The screenplay was overly complex and lacked elegance, making it quite messy in some parts. However, the performances by Chuan-jun Wang, Janine Chun-Ning Chang, and Francis Ng were very good, and the editing was flawless, leaving me with an overall positive impression.

This crime thriller remake had a successful $50 million theatrical debut in mainland China, likely due to the appeal of the new cast. Despite being entertaining and filled with gore and slashing, the audience began to dwindle after couple of weeks as they switched to the latest comedies released in Chinese cinemas. While well-made, there was nothing particularly new about it.

"A Place Called Silence" really had me hooked from the beginning. It's one of those movies that keeps you on the edge of your seat, always making you wonder about what's happening next-who's behind something, why they did it, and who's in the right. It's all very engaging and definitely keeps your brain ticking as you try to unravel the story.

That said, the movie does get a bit messy. There are too many side plots and some confusing turns that don't always get resolved by the end. It felt like the film could have used a bit of trimming to keep things clearer and more focused.

Despite the clutter, I was intrigued all the way through. I didn't hate it; actually, I quite enjoyed the ride. It could have been cleaner, but overall, "A Place Called Silence" is still worth a watch if you're into movies that make you think and keep you guessing.

I'm quite surprised that this is a Chinese movie. Unlike many traditional Chinese films, it avoids overly dramatic scenes and dialogues, delivering a refreshing and modern take on storytelling. The effects are impressive, and the color saturation of the film is spot on, enhancing its overall aesthetic appeal. The cinematography is carefully crafted, creating a visually striking experience that perfectly complements the narrative. The pacing is steady and keeps you engaged without overwhelming you, which is a rarity in some Chinese productions. What's even more remarkable is how the film tackles its themes with subtlety and sophistication, proving that Chinese cinema is evolving in exciting ways. It's a step forward, showing that there's hope for Chinese films to break free from the clichés and compete on a global scale. This movie offers a perfect balance of style and substance, making it a must-watch for anyone who appreciates quality filmmaking. A truly promising example of how far Chinese cinema has come!

At first glance, this seems like a good film. The cinematography is stunning, giving the movie a stylish and artistic vibe. However, my main issue lies in how the characters are written. Almost every character feels unnatural, as if they're not behaving like real people. To be clear, the actors deliver solid performances-it's the script that's problematic. The dialogue and interactions feel overly scripted and staged, which breaks the immersion.

The film's pretentiousness is especially evident in the ending, which makes no sense. Without delving into spoilers, I couldn't help but wonder: what was the point? How does it actually help the girl in the story? It feels like an attempt to be profound but ends up being confusing and unsatisfying.

Which actually makes it appear way louder than it is ... well it is likely that that will be the case - so no pun intended. The movie may have an issue with some - especially when it comes to the psychologically brutal scenes - bullying is not fun at all. And seeing that happen to someone, may make you feel a lot of anger and other negative (understandable) emotions.

So it will be tough to find a person to root for ... and even when you find one, you may find yourself changing opinion ... we all have done stuff we may not be too happy about. Fret not though ... I think there is at least one character you will find morally good ... if that is what you are looking for.

Of course just because you have (at least) one here, doesn't mean they will end up on top ... this has quite a lot of twists and turns ... and goes back and forth timeline wise ... but it works like a charm. ... if you let it that is! Suspend your disbelief and just watch this for the crime thriller that it is ... really well done, flaws and all included.