The Silence

Renowned Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf (Gabbeh) turns in a sparingly lyrical look at the aural world of a blind 10-year-old boy who lives with his mother in Tajikistan. In order to earn money, young Khorsid, who is enthralled with music, tunes musical instruments. With the eyes of a young woman guiding him through his everyday activities, he becomes immersed in the often distracting sounds of life around him--even when they start to threaten his livelihood. Strictly from a plot standpoint, not much happens--a likely impediment for all but the most open Western audiences. For its particular virtues, though, The Silence is apt to be music to the ears of really serious foreign film buffs. Recommended. (T. Rich)[DVD Review--Aug. 9, 2005--New Yorker, 73 min., in Farsi w/English subtitles, not rated, $29.95--Making its first appearance on DVD, 1998's The Silence sports a nice-looking transfer with the only bonus feature being an essay in the accompanying booklet by New York Press film critic Armond White. Bottom line: a negligible extras package for a challenging but rewarding foreign film.]