The Silence of Lorna (2008)

Sokol and Lorna, two Albanian emigrants in Belgium, dream of leaving their dreary jobs to set up a snack bar. They need money, and a permanent resident status. Claudy is a junkie - he needs... See full summary »

Directors:

Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne

Writers:

Jean-Pierre Dardenne (as Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne), Luc Dardenne (as Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne)

Stars:

Arta Dobroshi, Jérémie Renier, Fabrizio Rongione

3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Arta Dobroshi	...	Lorna
Jérémie Renier	...	Claudy Moreau
Fabrizio Rongione	...	Fabio
Alban Ukaj	...	Sokol
Morgan Marinne	...	Spirou
Olivier Gourmet	...	L'inspecteur
Anton Yakovlev	...	Andrei
Grigori Manoukov	...	Kostia
Mireille Bailly	...	Monique Sobel
Stéphanie Gob	...	Nurse
Laurent Caron	...	Commissaire
Baptiste Somin	...	Morgue Attendant
Alexandre Trocky	...	Doctor
Cédric Lenoir	...	Bank Attendant
Cécile Boland	...	Female Doctor

Storyline

Sokol and Lorna, two Albanian emigrants in Belgium, dream of leaving their dreary jobs to set up a snack bar. They need money, and a permanent resident status. Claudy is a junkie - he needs money to satisfy his addiction. Andrei, the cigarette smuggler, must hold up for a while outside Russia; he has loads of money. Fabio, the Italian taxi driver and aspiring gang boss, elaborates a clever scheme: he will pay Claudy to marry Lorna so that she acquires a Belgian citizenship. Then she is to re-marry Andrei, who will in this way obtain the coveted EU passport - and pay a hefty price to Fabio and Lorna for the service. Like all plans, this one will not survive the contact with reality.

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Plot Keywords:

belgium | woman undressing | nudity | female full frontal nudity | character name in title | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief sexuality/nudity, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Diaphana [France] Official site [Japan]

Country:

Belgium France Italy Germany

Language:

French Albanian Russian

Release Date:

27 August 2008 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

El silencio de Lorna

Filming Locations:

Seraing, Liège, Wallonia, Belgium

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$34,411, 2 August 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$337,696, 29 November 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films du Fleuve, Archipel 35, Lucky Red

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Before being cast as Lorna, the only words Arta Dobroshi knew in French were the days of the week.

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Connections

Referenced in Silence, ça tue! (2008)

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Soundtracks

Since You're Back In Town
By The Dinky Toys

User Reviews

Lorna's Scream

To see the movement in this film , you become a part of it's pace. It's smoky cold feel of the spaces explored in this film allows you to immerse yourself into the the whole international thing. Being an American I tend to love the patience taken in these French films. They are woven and character developments take more value than just a get to the point story with a predictable ending. As usual in French movies, symbolism takes precedence over story. Still, reality is quite evident in the grim concepts displayed. Being of first generation immigrants,I can identify with the premise and the desperation involved. The lead character is brilliant in the way she gives less yet give so much in her subtle expressions. The direction is superb and the storyline leaves you wanting more. Many directors with this consistent success may often relax in their past laurels but the careful development of the pace of this murky tale is quite endearing.I would strongly recommend this movie for those who are plain cinema lovers.