Patrick Shen’s documentary, based on the titular 2010 book by George Prochnik (who also serves as an interviewee here), argues that in a world of almost constant commotion and noise, silence should be valued as a means of securing mental and physical health. Shen does not ignore the spiritual dimension, visiting both a Trappist monastery in Iowa and a Buddhist temple in Japan to highlight religious traditions that view silence as a route to a higher plane. The film also periodically returns to Greg Hindy, a young man who has chosen to walk coast-to-coast under a vow of silence, expressing his thoughts in written form to the camera along the way. And it captures the sheer beauty of solitude visually, via images of quiet parks and empty landscapes. But the focus here is on the physiological effects of excessive noise, which can cause not just stress but also—as demonstrated in one case study of a school located beside train tracks—an actual decline in cognitive ability and concentration. Modern recognition of the power of silence to rejuvenate both soul and body is encapsulated in Shen’s repeated references to composer John Cage, who wrote cacophonous pieces for a variety of instruments, but in 1952 premiered 4’33, in which a pianist simply made no sound for 4½ minutes. Originally greeted with derision, it has since become a widely-"performed" piece (suitable for any combination of instruments), and is treated with seriousness, even reverence. Cage’s 4’33 expresses the power of silence, as does Shen’s film. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
In Pursuit of Silence
(2016) 81 min. DVD: $29.95 ($395 w/PPR), Blu-ray: $34.95 ($445 w/PPR.). The Cinema Guild. DRA. PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-7815-1556-4. Volume 33, Issue 5
In Pursuit of Silence
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