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.

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!

Sam Quah's A Place Called Silence is a gripping crime mystery that dives headfirst into the impact of bullying within a seemingly safe school environment. With a tightly paced storyline and well-crafted suspense, the film keeps audiences engaged throughout, though it leaves some thematic questions unanswered.

The film begins with Chen Yutong, a special education student with a speech problem, being bullied by four classmates. Soon after, those bullies are mysteriously killed. The story takes a twist when Yutong goes missing, and her mother, Li Han, who works at the school, starts searching for her while the police investigates the murder.

Quah's direction is steady and deliberate, and the film's pacing is notably effective, pulling viewers into the tense environment of the school and keeping them there with little room for distraction. Visually, A Place Called Silence shines and the background score complements the visuals, adding a layer of unease that underscores each scene. Ning Chang delivers a powerful performance as Li Han, capturing the emotional strength and vulnerability of a mother driven by love and desperation.

Though the film effectively highlights the horror of bullying and keeps viewers engaged, it leaves a sense of dissatisfaction in its resolution. By presenting the murders of the bullies as the sole form of justice, the story falls short of fully addressing the complex issue of bullying. This narrative choice leaves a moral ambiguity, suggesting retribution without exploring any deeper solutions to cruelty. As a result, while the film is compelling and suspenseful, it may feel lacking for viewers looking for a more nuanced take on the consequences of bullying and accountability.

It's a solid watch for fans of crime thrillers, though it leaves viewers to ponder the moral implications of revenge, adding a layer of ambiguity that some may find haunting and thought-provoking.

I absolutely dislike this kind of movie that involves bullying. For the plot, it just doesn't make sense that surrounding people will just ignore cases like that. So that is where the unrealistic part comes in to the movie that differentiate real life and movie.

Now I know people will have some issues with this movie, probably got some unasnwered questions mostly coming from "why they didn't do that" or "why she did this" . But again, I think this is a perfect representation of "what ifs" that isn't impossible to happen in real life.

The ending for me is very satisfying and the message of "bystander effect" and its influence on the victim gets conveyed beautifully.

Although I would not watch this movie again simply how depressing it is, I think everyone should try and get the message from this movie. Overall 10/10.

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.