The Whisper of Silence is the first film from El Salvador to be given a general release in the UK, and director Alfonso Quijada showcases the country in a way that is very attractive to the viewer. Normally an abundance of establishing shots would strike me as padding but here they support the film’s meditative and strangely relaxing tone.
The film focuses on two different plots: Josefina – our main character – utilising her unique sense of smell in order to become a coffee taster, and her brother Alfredo falling in with a group of rebellious and disruptive youths. The two plots eventually coincide to reveal a wider picture of the relationship between the siblings, and Josefina’s trauma which is subtly unraveled as the film goes on. This subtlety is greatly appreciated, allowing the storyline to flow at a natural pace. However, neither plotline is given enough time to breathe, resulting in the third act feeling too rushed.
The film carries an important message that is unfortunately undermined by the underdeveloped characterisation, forcing itself in at the end in a jarring, public information film-esque way. Yet it is Laura Osma as Josefina who ultimately carries the film, a powerful and vulnerable performance that no doubt shows promise for the actress’ future career. The film is very much a character piece, with the dialogue almost making it feel like a play and despite it being set in more than one location, the isolated nature of the El Salvador mountains give it such a feel. However, the unique panoramic aspect ratio is distractingly thin.
The Whisper of Silence is a fascinating mood piece with a strong lead performance, yet I felt that there was not enough going on script-wise to justify its relatively average 90-minute length. It certainly shows promise from a production standpoint, yet a more consistent storyline would have pushed it even further.
The Whisper of Silence is out now on digital platforms from Bulldog Film Distribution
