A Moment of Silence

Too long at just 15 minutes the film never really makes its point and the central character is never given a chance to redeem himself - a fatal flaw by the writer. Exhausting to sit through and a sadistic trip I wish I'd skipped it.

I remember seeing this short at the Toronto film festival and I've been looking for it ever since. I teach high school literature. It would be perfect for my class. It's one of the most humanist films I've ever seen. One of my key topics is the omnipresent presence of technology — particularly the abuse of communication devices — for insignificant, impulsive reasons.

Moment of Silence brought this to light in a funny way. Well, not "ha ha." Darkly comic, I'd say. If just for that the film is atypical of a "message movie." It also worked on other levels such as the skewering of video games and the advertising industry. (No wonder ADD is so prevalent!) I think one viewer missed the point; the protagonist is irredeemable because he is already consumed by technology. A 21st Century equivalent to selling one's soul, as were.

The film was amazingly well crafted and held my attention from beginning to end. I may be prejudiced because I believe (and teach) its message, but I think it was terrific. George Orwell would love it, too! Does anyone know where I can get a copy?