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.

Silenced (aka the Crucible) is a 2011 South Korean film that is not really an easy watch. It's quite good for the most part, but it will leave a bad taste in your mouth for sure. I do recommend watching it, but with the caveat that it will pretty much spoil your evening afterwards. So, you've been warned!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

I have a number of general rules that I try to live by, which allow me to go about my life in a civilized society with a clear conscience. These rules include simple mundane courtesies like saying thank you or opening the door for little old ladies or not flipping the bird to that idiot who doesn't know how to drive, to more serious matters like not disrupting someone else's marriage or abusing animals for kicks or cheating someone out of their life savings (which would, incidentally, be quite easy to do in my line of work). My list of rules escalate to not hurting people, but the list has always topped out with the following: DO NOT PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, OR SEXUALLY ABUSE CHILDREN!

If you don't know already, this movie is all about breaking my "golden rule" stated above. A school chock full of deviant teachers, principals, and employees, which has been systematically and repeatedly raping, beating, and torturing the child students there on a wide scale. To make matters worse (if that's possible), is the fact that this is a school for the deaf & mute, and that many of these children are from broken homes, are orphaned, poor, etc.

To top it off, this movie is based on a true story (a thought, which frankly, I could not get out of my head while watching the thing). Now, I'm not privy as to what was depicted in the movie is actually factual, or what amount of dramatic license was invoked, or what have you. But even if the tiniest bit of any of this is even remotely true, the, I am utterly disgusted. Sadly however, I am no longer surprised by hearing stories like this in the world I live in.

As for the movie itself, it basically revolves around a new teacher who comes to the school and soon uncovers the abuses within. He and a human rights activist he gets to know begin to work to help the children in harm's way, and to punish those involved with the crimes. It's a straight up drama story line and courtroom procedural for the most part. There's little to no action or vengeance involved, and it's not anywhere near as graphic as it might have been (considering the subject matter) if this were part of some other type of film genre.

Production, pacing, and story are all solid enough. Acting is pretty strong throughout (particularly from the children, which had to be bit uncomfortable, performance wise, for them). There's a side story involving the new teacher's child, which quickly takes a back seat to the primary plot point, along with the hinting of a budding relationship between said teacher and the activist. Aside from that, this film focuses almost exclusively on the evil deed at hand, what will be done about it once uncovered, and what efforts the community will go to in order to just make this all go away as quickly & quietly as possible. Oh, and this IS a Korean production, so (SUPER SPOILERS), you might not want to get your hopes up for the happiest of endings.

Bottom line: It's in the 7-8 out of 10 stars range for me. I'll give it an 8, because it is stuck in my brain (at least for now) after watching it, and it was well done overall. And, after all, isn't that what watching cinema is all about?...If you want any type of a remotely "feel good/good time flick", watch something else!...but, if you're in the right mood to watch a solid and effecting drama about a sad and horrible topic, than this film comes fairly well recommended by yours truly!

Let me just say that while watching this, I would've happily given up my front row seat in Hell to have been there when these innocent children were being so viciously abused. Wigs would've be snatched and grills thoroughly cleaned!

The utter cruelty, entitlement and depravity of these individuals is absolutely unforgivable. The people who let them get away with it are just as disgusting for sacrificing justice for the victims for their own personal gain.

It's a good movie that you are going to hate watching.

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.

Silenced is a mixing pot of emotions; one full of hope, resentment, depression but ultimately injustice. There are many films made to impress viewers but this one is among the few, not just to impress you, but to deeply disturb you. It makes you crave for nothing but human dignity and fairness. The film had me stunned with astonishing performances especially the three brilliant child actors who perfectly portrayed their characters. Silenced is a bold piece of modern Korean cinema that should be seen by everyone.