Stellet licht (2007)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Carlos Reygadas

Writer:

Carlos Reygadas (writer)

Release Date:

12 October 2007 (Mexico)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A father's faith in God is put to the test when he falls for another woman. |

Plot Keywords:

God | Cult | Absurdism | Betrayal | Pantheism

Awards:

28 wins & 3 nominations

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)

Also Known As:

Silent Light (International: English title) (UK) (USA)
Lumière silencieuse (France) (festival title)
Luz silenciosa (Mexico)
Stilles Licht (Germany)

Runtime:

145 min | France:142 min | Netherlands:135 min | Canada:127 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | USA:136 min

Country:

Mexico | France | Netherlands | Germany

Language:

Low German | Spanish | French | English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Chihuahua, Mexico

Company:

Mantarraya Producciones

Trivia:

Mexico's official submission for the 80th Academy Awards, and the first film from that country that is not in Spanish. Under AMPAS's new rules for Best Foreign-Language Film, it is eligible for a nomination.

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.