Silent Light (2007)
"Stellet Licht" (original title)

In a Mennonite community in Mexico, a father's faith is tested when he falls in love with a new woman.

Director:

Carlos Reygadas

Writer:

Carlos Reygadas

Stars:

Cornelio Wall, Maria Pankratz, Miriam Toews

29 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Cornelio Wall	...	Johan
Maria Pankratz	...	Marianne
Miriam Toews	...	Esther
Peter Wall	...	Padre
Jacobo Klassen	...	Zacarias
Elizabeth Fehr	...	Madre
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jacques Brel	...	Himself (archive footage)

Storyline

Johan (Cornelio Wall Fehr), a Mennonite living in Mexico, is tormented with guilt over his extramarital affair with Marianne (Maria Pankratz). His father (Peter Wall), best friend (Jacobo Klassen) and wife (Miriam Toews) know the truth, but Johan's suffering has to do with his faith, which he can't reconcile with his deeds.

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Plot Keywords:

mennonite | mexico | love | extramarital affair | dusk | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Bac Films [France] Official site

Country:

Mexico France Netherlands Germany

Language:

Low German Spanish French English

Release Date:

12 October 2007 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Silent Light

Filming Locations:

Chihuahua, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

€980,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mantarraya Producciones, No Dream Cinema, Bac Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min 127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Martin Scorsese called this film "A surprising picture, and a very moving one as well."

User Reviews

Stillness speaks (but not to everybody)

This is certainly not a film for everybody and I will be careful in who I recommend this movie to. It is challenging because it is very unsatisfying to the 5 senses we are used to (over)feed. This movie is like meditating, you need to surrender to it, ignore what your mind is telling you about what a movie should be, surrender to the slowness first and then to the lack of almost everything we are normally used to in a movie. There is so little you can chew on, no acting, inhibited emotions, no laughter, even the acclaimed picture is unsatisfying (don't see this movie for that reason). Everything is internal, barely reaching the surface. If you can tune in though, like in a meditation, you will become ultra sensitive, sense the subtle and begin to enjoy. Some scenes may even totally fill your spirit. One word of caution though, if you intend to see this movie in a theatre: it is very likely that some people will become uncomfortable and leave, keep talking, protest etc... which makes it even more difficult to watch it with serenity so renting it as a DVD may be a more suitable option. If you are the kind of person enjoying a walk in the countryside contemplating nature without talking you'll probably enjoy this movie. If you prefer talking or being entertained then chances are that you will not.