Silence

35mm print imported from Japan (courtesy National Film Archive of Japan)

“Adapted from Shusaku Endo’s novel, and preceding Scorsese's adaptation by nearly 50 years, Silence follows two young Portuguese Jesuit priests who sneak into 17th-century Japan to locate their missing mentor. Instead, they find themselves in a hostile country where Christianity is outlawed, and those who are arrested as hidden Christians are forced to prove their renunciation by stepping on images of Christ. As the priests dodge authorities and witness the hardships of local converts, Father Rodrigues faces an impossible choice: cling publicly to his faith, or outwardly deny it to spare others pain. In this quiet, thought-provoking drama, Shinoda explores faith, doubt, suffering, and spiritual silence.” - Shun Inoue