Voice of Silence (2020)

This movie really make you hear the voice of the silenced ones

I think it's one of my favourites this year if not THE fav. I think that the title "Without a Sound" refers not that much to a mute protagonist, but to the fact that in Korean (but not only) society many voices are unheard, many bad, criminal things happen without media and people being loud about those problems, because it's hard to handle, because of corruption, because it's an uncomfortable topic or because more powerful people make them keep quite...
Chang Bok said to Tae In "what will he do without him?", because people with impairments and disabilities, people from very poor families, orphans like himself really need more help, but instead are being mistreated and cast out like trash and in some cases really have no choice (if they don't want to starve). Not to mention mafia, human traffic for organs, prostitution, paedophilia... The movie may seem almost comic (I did laugh hard in many scenes), but it does make you think about some really heavy topics with many strong metaphors and question yourself what did YOU do about it, since you surely had more possibilities to make a change than the protagonist, a person without a voice (physically and metaphorically, although he did make many people "hear" him at the end of the movie). It also obviously blurs the line between good and evil, since the protagonists do some criminal things, but also some good things, so it's not them being evil in their nature, but some of their actions. It makes us question ourselves what’s right and wrong, what’s good and bad what do we think about a certain situation and if those beliefs depend on motives and circumstanced or if our moral is absolute.

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A story with several meanings

Although Tae-in reluctantly took in the young girl, Cho-hee, to stay at his place, they eventually started gaining trust and opening up to each other. To me, this shows symptoms of Stockholm syndrome, which is a psychological connection formed with their captors during captivity. Although Tae-in did not intend to abduct Cho-hee, ultimately he is still a kidnapper who hid her away from the public eye and stopped her escape attempts. Cho-hee bonded well with Tae-in’s younger sister, and at times, it indeed felt like she was truly happy there and did not want to leave the place. Although we don’t know much about her family, but it was brought up several times in the movie that her family obviously doted on the son more, and she was actually not the intended kidnap target as well, highlighting the issue of patriarchy in her family.

However, at times the line between whether if Cho-hee is suffering from Stockholm syndrome or not is quite blurred, as both Tae-in and Cho-hee could not make up their minds on how they perceived each other. For Tae-in, he just wanted to quickly get the job done and send Cho-hee away, however he still had a conscience when he knew that Cho-hee’s life was in danger. As for Cho-hee, she couldn’t decide to trust Tae-in or not, but ultimately, she makes her decision at the ending, which I will not spoil here.

Since Yoo Ah In has no lines in the movie at all, his actions and body languages are quite obvious and easy to understand, without being too exaggerated. From his expressions, ranging from joy, to worry and desperation, his character, Tae-in was able to communicate well and relate his thoughts with the on-screen characters and with the audience watching the movie. In an interview, Yoo Ah In described his character as such, “Tae-in doesn’t speak. I don’t think he is unable to speak at all as he makes some noises sometimes. He refuses to communicate with the world for some reasons.”


Overall, this movie has various blurred lines, on the overarching theme of good and evil – for the audience to interpret in their own ways, such as the lead characters working in a job that is essentially a crime, but what they do could also be rationalised as okay; and if Tae-in and Chang-bok are actually good or bad, as they are kidnappers, albeit kind-hearted ones who actually looked after their abductee. The movie ending itself is something that we did not really expect, but it does match the overall theme well.

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A movie that blurs the line between good and evil.

I recommend this to Yoo Ah In lovers and people who enjoy very character-focused stories.

I'm trying to be as vague as possible but there are some spoilers. Story-wise, I really like it. The only thing that made me not rate it a ten was the confusing ending with lots of loose ends. I'm supposed to feel something but I don't and that's because I'm a person who watches more romance-focused media than other things. If you're a person who likes movies with lots of meanings, this story is for you. Other than that, this was a really good movie that more focused on the relationships than the story. There's a very blurred line between good and evil. The Stockholm Syndrome-like plot made me uncomfortable but it is like Beauty and the Beast level except for no romance. And the girl ends up making the right decision in the end. If the watched the story, you'll know what I mean.

The real star of the show in this movie is the acting. Of course, Yoo Ah In's acting is impeccable as usual and he can express a lot of the story despite the fact that he does not have one line in this story. His small expressions make the story and replace his lack of a voice. but the breakout role in this is of the kidnapped girl. The actress really embodies the character of a person who wants to escape but also doesn't want to antagonize her kidnapper. Although she's young, she can express a wide range of emotions and was not overshadowed at all by Yoo Ah In, a veteran actor. The acting is helped by the fact that the plot is very character-oriented so it's made interesting by the acting.

The music was not very memorable but wasn't like bad and it did add to the story in the places it was placed at and I'd rewatch this just because I want to see if there's anything I missed after the ending that left me with so many questions.

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Beautiful and conflicting movie

I don’t know why this movie doesn’t have a higher score. To me it was visually such a beautiful film, but beautiful and heart-warming with its story as well. There’s such an interesting contrast between how this movie makes me feel, and what I logically know is actually happening. Beyond the carefree and found family surface is ultimately a crime film, so there’s an underlying current of intensity.

The acting was excellent. It’s no surprise that Yoo Ah In delivered an amazing performance, totally using his expressions and no words. But the child actors were also very realistic and talented.

After watching this film I really didn’t know how to feel, and I had a lot of conflicting thoughts and emotions. But I really enjoyed it and wouldn’t change a thing.

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"Once you join a family, you have to pitch in, right?"

Voice of Silence was an amalgam of different genres with results as mixed as the narrative moods. Shots of bucolic farm land and cornflower blue skies camouflaged empty buildings hiding dark, deadly secrets. The acting and cinematography were excellent, I just can’t say that I thoroughly enjoyed what was supposed to be a heartwarming story of a child in jeopardy.

Chang Bok and Kim Tae In both have physical disabilities. Chang Bok walks with a significant limp and Tae In is mute. They live amongst beautiful farmland in peasant shacks selling chicken eggs at the market. In their spare time they clean up crime scenes for a gang. They know where all the bodies are buried because they buried them. Things go sidewise when their boss tells them to take care of a little girl who has been kidnapped. Because the kidnappers accidentally grabbed Cho Hee instead of her brother, the father has been haggling with them, unwilling to pay much for her. Tae In takes her home to his small squalid place he shares with his little sister. Cho Hee befriends Moon Ju and helps to civilize the almost feral girl. Chang Bok takes Cho Hee on their jobs and the child scarcely bats an eye at the bloody business. The more her father holds out the more danger the little girl is in even from her well-meaning caretakers.

It felt like I was supposed to become invested in Tae In and Cho Hee’s relationship as the two seemed to bond. In truth, the only characters I cared about were Cho Hee and Moon Ju. Chang Bok and Tae In may have cared about her to a degree but were also willing to hand her over to child/organ traffickers. Unlike church going Chang Bok, Tae In’s moral compass began to point toward protecting Cho Hee. Yet Tae In was still a criminal. When a police officer investigated Tae In’s property, I was hoping she would find the girl, she certainly didn’t deserve what happened to her.

The most fascinating character to me was Cho Hee. What kind of family did she come from that burying a body and bloody scenes didn’t affect her? The film never told us. At every crisis she processed the information and pinned a placid expression on her face. Regardless of any sympathy she felt toward Tae In she was smart enough to realize how precarious her situation was with the two inept criminals surrounded by sharks. Her family might have been reluctant to have her returned but her fate was a terrible end the longer she stayed where she was.

I’m quite sensitive to child in jeopardy films and despite Tae In having a good heart working at a bad job, Cho Hee was in danger. "Once you join a family, you have to pitch in, right?" Just because they made the child an honorary family member while she was a prisoner didn’t mean that what was planned for her was any less heinous. It didn’t help that the film ended as if the writers ran out of paper when typing out the script and decided they’d gone far enough. Open endings are my least favorite and always feel lazy to me like the writer didn’t want to commit to an ending for fear of angering some part of the audience.

Voice of Silence did not fit neatly into any category. Was it a crime drama? There were plenty of bodies. A comedy? Maybe, I laughed once. Social Commentary? The two inept criminals did seem to be forced to work for the gang due to financial hardships in the rural area. Strange Criminal Slice of Life Buddy film? Probably the closest fit. Mostly, the message that came across was that one day you’re hanging someone on a meat hook, the next day it might be you.

16 August 2024

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Good acting

No wonder Yoo Ah-in bagged the best actor award at the Baeksang this year. Despite the absence of dialogue, he was able to convey the message his character and role intended. His impairment somehow served him good for the labor he is engaged in. Lessened the burden of guilt and morality. As the story progressed, he was left to tend a girl that was purely meant to provide a source of income. Contrary to his job, the girl still saw something in him that made her choose to stay. In the brief period they spent together, it is disheartening to see how the girl condoned the same practice (cleaning the mess) when confronted with the unprecedented situation with the cop. This movie is a good illustration of 'action speaks louder than words' adage.

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Dark heartwarming comedy drama - mix I never thought could work.

Korea back at it again - making completely unrelatable scenarios feel relatable. The emotions were raw, the characters complex and the story both warm and heartbreaking.

It was unexpectedly funny. Yes, I know it was tagged with the comedy genre, but honestly speaking, many drama comedies have more bitter sweet takes on what’s supposed to be funny. Here, I actually smiled and laughed quite a few times. The story was dark and yet they managed to create some funny moments even from quite gore and violence driven situations.

The best part of the movie was for sure the (in my eyes) one sided connection between Tae In and Cho Hee. The way Yoo Ah In presented the character of Kim Tae In was both beautiful and painful. A character that seemed to give up on everything, just following whatever others told and not presenting even a slight of active behavior. The gradual and minimal and yet impactful change we see after he had to take care of Cho Hee was amazing to watch.

That said, I think it’s a movie you have to read the synopsis for. I honestly don’t think it would be obvious and easy to understand Cho Hee’s character if it was not for what I read about the plot. She is the center of the plot and one of the main characters, so the vague understanding of who she is that we get from the movie itself, could have been improved.

Acting wise - perfection. Yoo Ah In did not say one word during the whole movie, and yet I perfectly understood what he wanted to convey during his scenes. Moon Seung Ah did a phenomenal job with her portrayal of Cho Hee - a character so complex I am amazed a child was able to deliver a believable performance.

On the production side, I don’t think any compliments can truly express how beautiful the movie was. The wide shots gave such a warm and, strangely slice of life feeling, that grounded the movie in reality, even with the not so mundane plot.

Overall, a great movie with great performances and amazing visuals. One that I could easily recommend to anyone.

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La película que ví la semana pasada y que tenía pendiente desde hace mucho. Sin embargo, aunque me gustó no fue exactamente lo que esperaba.
Esperaba una película coreana de crímenes pero esa era la menor parte de la historia. Sin embargo, me gustó mucho la relación entre los personajes y sobre todo la actitud de la niña pequeña de adaptarse a sus circunstancias de la mejor manera posible, a pesar de estar en una de las peores situaciones.
También fue una pena ver cómo vivían los personajes y cómo se veían obligados a tener ese tipo de trabajo para poder sobrevivir y el dolor que les causa a veces su estilo de vida.
Sin embargo, si la película tenía algún mensaje que ofrecer, no creo que pudiera captarlo y si no tenía mensaje, la verdad es que se quedaba un poco vacía. Aún así recomiendo la película ya que creo que merece la pena echarle un vistazo aunque sea en un momento de aburrimiento y que no se sepa qué ver.

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Un silence pleind'échos et de mouvements du cœur...

Je l’ai beaucoup aimé. Une fois de plus le cinéma coréen nous démontre son talent particulier pour le mélange des genres, qu’il maîtrise parfaitement ! La comédie, et l’humour noir, le tragique tourné en dérision et la matière humaine, ses contradictions, ses éclairs de lumière et ses abîmes de noirceur, l’éclat de rire qui enchaîne directement sur l’émotion… Il y a tout cela dans ce film et je suis sûre que cette jeune réalisatrice, HONG Hui-Jung, devrait avoir une brillante carrière devant elle ! Les deux nettoyeurs assurent leur travail avec un calme distancié qui déjà est en soi un élément qui bascule facilement dans le comique surtout soutenu par d’excellents dialogues et le jeu plus que parfait des acteurs. La situation joue constamment sur le décalage entre l’environnement assez horrible des héros et leur façon d’en vivre sans le moindre complexe. Il faut maintenant parler des acteurs, et particulièrement de Yoo Ah In !! J’ai su depuis longtemps que c’était un grand acteur, mais là il en fait la démonstration éclatante, dans l’incarnation époustouflante de cet homme muet (mais pas sourd !) un peu simple, qui vit constamment au premier degré, jusqu’à ce qu’un évènement inattendu vienne casser cette mécanique et l’obliger à penser, à sentir, à décider… Yo Ah In a même modifié son apparence, trapu, musclé, la démarche lourde, mais dont parfois le regard, le demi-sourire laissent entrevoir un autre monde… Il est parfaitement soutenu par Chang Bok, Yoo Jae Myung, acteur chevronné et au talent depuis longtemps démontré. C’est lui la tête pensante du duo de nettoyeur, et il assume une sorte de figure paternelle pour Tea In. Le troisième sommet du triangle, c’est la fillette, lucide et intelligente, dont on comprend très vite qu’elle a acquis une grande maturité très tôt du fait que, chez elle, seul son frère compte, et qu’elle n’a déjà plus trop d’illusions sur la vie.
Tout au long du film, une tension et un suspense s’installent, et jusqu’au bout la question est : comment ça va finir ? la fin logique devrait s’imposer… Mais on ne peut que souhaiter ardemment qu’elle n’ait pas lieu… La mécanique implacable du destin est en route, sera-t-elle déviée ? Je n’en dirai pas plus, et je vous souhaite aussi ardemment que ce film sorte un jour en France, car il est tout à fait excellent !

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Words are (very) unnecessary, just watch it and give voice to silence

Movie perfect in every aspects: script, acting and editing... Looks like an independence cinematography. If someone has not yet opportunity to watch and appreciated the acting skills of Yoo Ah In, then after this film there should be no doubt of talent of this young generation actor is by no means exaggerated. The children's roles also deserve to be recognition. It's hard to describe something more so as not to reveal the plot. It is just unique, touching and simply beautiful And I guess it's a shame to waste review space for unnecessary words, so you should just watch it and give voice to silence...

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Interesting one

I don't understand why the score if this movie is so low! I recommend it. The colours and the cinematography are excellent for the idea and feel of this movie

PLOT:
Interesting story with my type of ending. Little slow from time to time but not annoying. I loved the idea and the realisation.

MUSIC: Nothing really special.

ACTING: As expected - excellent performance! Yoo Ah In nailed it. It looks like Leonardo DiCaprio is not the only actor that can do the job without even a single word. Yoo Jae Myung felt a little like a second lead but he also did his job pretty well.
I will be waiting for more movies from Moon Seung Ah. This was the first time i saw her and I really enjoyed her acting.

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Amazing story and acting

I knew it was gonna be good because Yoo Ah In is in it. But this is not a biased review! The movie is really good and has a couple of plot twists which makes it not boring! It’s interesting how the main character can not talk but still make the movie interesting!

For the acting.... AMAZING! especially the child actors! Anyway if you are bored watch this! Wont regret it

One thing tho.... slight spoiler so if you are sensitive to spoilers don’t read this part


SPOILER WARNED!!!!!!!


About the ending..... hmmmmmmmmm I have mixed feelings. The child was so smart to tell her teacher that he is the kidnapper but i feel bad lol!

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