Silenced

"Silenced" is a powerful and harrowing film based on true events, exposing the dark realities within a school for deaf children in Gwangju, South Korea. Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk and adapted from the novel The Crucible by Gong Ji-young, the film is a gut-wrenching account of abuse, systemic corruption, and the resilience of those who fight for justice.

Set in 2005, the story follows Kang In-ho, a newly appointed teacher at the school, who soon realizes that the children live in a state of deep emotional withdrawal. As he uncovers the horrific abuse they endure at the hands of the school's twin principals and other staff members, he faces a moral reckoning. Initially hesitant, In-ho soon devotes himself to seeking justice for the victims, putting his own life and career at risk.

Hwang Dong-hyuk's direction is both subtle and powerful, striking a balance between exposing the horrors of abuse and avoiding gratuitous depictions. The film doesn't rely on melodramatic clichés but instead delivers an unfiltered, painful realism. The performances are exceptionally moving-particularly the child actors, who, despite their silence, communicate volumes through their expressions.

Beyond the crimes themselves, Silenced also sheds light on the appalling failures of the South Korean legal system. Even with overwhelming evidence, the perpetrators receive only minimal punishment, highlighting a judiciary tainted by corruption and indifference. However, the film's impact extended beyond the screen-it ignited national outrage, leading to the school's closure and the reopening of the case, ultimately prompting legislative changes in South Korea's child protection laws.

Visually, the film is haunting. Hwang masterfully crafts an atmosphere of quiet dread, where even moments of supposed safety feel unsettling. The muted color palette and restrained cinematography amplify the film's emotional weight, making each revelation even more gut-wrenching.

Silenced is not just a film-it is a social statement, a call for awareness, and a testament to the power of storytelling. It forces viewers to confront the depths of human cruelty while championing those who dare to seek justice. Heartbreaking yet necessary, this is a film that lingers long after the credits roll.

Highly recommended-but only for those who can endure the painful truth.

9/10.

The film is based on actual events that happened in Gwang Ju, South Korea. People assume that actual events were dramatized in the film, but apparently the actual events were more heinous than the movie. Gong Yoo read the novel The Crucible/Silenced (Dogani, 2009) while serving his mandatory military service and became involved in the film making.

The child actors were amazing. Because they had to portray deaf and mute children, they had to rely on their facial gestures, sign language, and sounds (cries and screams). They were simply amazing at depicting complex emotions.

Johan Lebbing is wrong. Gong Yoo is not holding a bible at the end of the movie (that would make no sense whatsoever in this movie). He's taking the subway and holding a cake from Tous Les Jours (a Korean boulangerie/patisserie chain) because it's Christmas. He's probably going home to his daughter.

South Korea is pretty lenient with sex offenders in general, and this movie caused an uproar in South Korea about sex crimes.

To think this actually happened in real life makes me so mad. South Korea really needs to have harsher laws against sexual abuse. Even today they still have a long way to go .

Watched "Silenced" here on DVD with English subtitles. Didn't really know what to expect from the film before going in, but came out shaken, angered and left with the feeling of having seen a powerful film that can bring about positive change. The basis for the movie is purported to be based on a true story which makes things all the more striking. Having not watched "Children..." a Korean movie that came out earlier this year also based on a true story, my closest point of reference is Bong Joon-Ho's by now classic film "Memories of Murder". "Silenced" doesn't possess the master of cinema feel that "Memories of Murder" has, nor does it have the first mover advantage in its story, but "Silenced" is able to deliver the same (if not more) type of jolt to the viewer which is really saying something.

Some criticism I had for the film were 2 scenes felt just too graphic and a few other times the movie seemed to carry a far too simpleton feel, but in hindsight I'm guessing both of these points originated from the filmmaker's desire to have maximum impact with the largest group possible. In that case, the filmmaker got his wish. While walking out of the theater I did feel energized from having watched something so moving and also filled with fear & anger at just how wicked some parts of society can become.

Performance wise, I thought Gong Yoo was good and Jung Yu-Mi was her usual great self. There was a final scene with Gong Yoo holding a bible in the middle of the street that didn't move me as much as I thought the scene wanted. Maybe I was just too exhausted from having witnessed humanity at its darkest hour prior to that. The movie also featured large amounts of court-room drama in the second half which I really enjoyed.

"Silenced" has already brought in a lot of people into the theaters in South Korea and also opened a lot of eyes to the injustices that occurred in South Korea just a few years ago (2005). I think "Silenced" is a film that will likely leave you in a state that only a few others films probably can. Be prepare to be moved when you watch it.

This movie is incredibly powerful, at some points i couldn't hold my tears.

The movie has portrayed true events in a masterfully done way. The cinematography/atmosphere and the music are superb.

This movie really made me sad and angry at the world at the same time. At some points in the movie i wished i could be there and take a gun and take justice in to my own hands.It portraits the true nature of how evil and disgusting human beings can be. The sheer fact that the system and those who "abide" the law are corrupt, and still manage not to give a damn about what happened to those children, is beyond my understanding.The movie got me frustrated at many points and i just wanted to punch the protagonist in the face for not taking justice in to his own hands. You see evil in front of you and you see that the majority of the people running the system, the laws are bad and corrupt, and you think by yourself, why not punish all those evil bastards? and i don't care how it is done, as long as they get punished.

At some point one gets the realization that there is no hope in this world. Our society is run by sociopaths and psychopaths. It shows that money can do anything, and that human life and a child's innocence means nothing to those in power. I'm really angry after watching this movie and so sad at the same time... i can't keep getting this movie out of my head.

This movie deserves an Oscar and should be seen by everyone!

8.8/10