Beyond Silence (1996)
"Jenseits der Stille" (original title)

Since the earliest days in her childhood Lara has had a difficult but important task. Both her parents are deaf-mute and Lara has to translate from sign-language to the spoken word and vice... See full summary »

Director:

Caroline Link

Writers:

Caroline Link, Beth Serlin

Stars:

Sylvie Testud, Tatjana Trieb, Howie Seago

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 12 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sylvie Testud	...	Lara
Tatjana Trieb	...	Lara als Kind (Lara as Child)
Howie Seago	...	Martin
Emmanuelle Laborit	...	Kai
Sibylle Canonica	...	Clarissa
Matthias Habich	...	Gregor (Clarissa's husband)
Alexandra Bolz	...	Marie
Hansa Czypionka	...	Tom
Doris Schade	...	Lilli
Horst Sachtleben	...	Robert
Hubert Mulzer	...	Herr Gärtner
Birge Schade	...	Fräulein Mertens
Stephan Kampwirth	...	Bankbeamter
Lea Mekhméche	...	Johanna
Laurel Severin	...	Martin als Kind

Storyline

Since the earliest days in her childhood Lara has had a difficult but important task. Both her parents are deaf-mute and Lara has to translate from sign-language to the spoken word and vice versa when her parents want to communicate with other people. Getting older and more mature she becomes interested in music and starts to play clarinet very successfully. However her parents are deaf, they cannot share Lara's musical career. The day comes when Lara has to decide between her parents and her own ambitions.

---

Plot Keywords:

clarinet | deaf mute | sign language | christmas present | baby | 

---

Taglines:

About life, love and the sound of snow.

---

Genres:

Drama | Music

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a scene of sexuality

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German German Sign Language English Spanish

Release Date:

5 June 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Beyond Silence

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$60,888 (USA) (12 June 1998)

Gross:

$171,334 (USA) (3 July 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arte, Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), Claussen & Wöbke Filmproduktion GmbH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Lara: The saddest things in life are separations and deaths. I don't want to say good-bye anymore. I've had enough of that.

---

Connections

Referenced in Cause toujours! (2004)

---

Soundtracks

"Roter Salon"
Composed by Jochen Schmidt-Hambrock

User Reviews

the continuing saga of Germany's interesting movies

Young Lara is in a most unusual situation: her parents are both deaf-mute, so she has to communicate for both of them. It's sort of a constraining situation, and when a relative gives Lara the chance to become a musician, her parents try to keep her at home. She will have to choose.

The idea of the daughter having to speak for her parents is not something that I ever would have thought about, but "Jenseits der Stille" (called "Beyond Silence" in English) made me think about it. It's always good to be able to see such intellectual stories, especially when Hollywood makes so many pointless blow-'em-up movies.