Silent Light

There are many entrances to Carlos Reygadas’latest existential feature. Amidst a Mennonitecommunity in rural Mexico, this drama slowlyunfolds as religious farmer Johan is tornbetween the loyalty of his loving wife Esther– with whom he has seven children – and theblissful excitement he finds in his mistressMarianne. Guilt-ridden, he shares his timewith both women, unable to cut off either onefrom his life. The fragile nature and ficklenessof human desire is exposed in Reygadas’Bergmanesque tableaus, almost portrayinghumans as still lifes.In a subtle way, the director lets the audienceponder subjects that resonate in many of us.Is it right to let passion tear families apart? Ifnot, can lost love ever be retrieved amidst thesimplicity of the everyday. As the inevitable resolution draws near, the sparse dialogue anddelicate acting from the non-professional cast isframed by a monumental landscape reminiscentof an impressionist painting, which leaves theviewer wondering if the setting sun and stellarnight lights are a visualization of Marianne’sresignedwords that in the end, inner peace isstronger than love.

Premiere Status
Swedish Premiere: Orig. title
Stellet licht: Cast
Elizabeth Fehr, Jacobo Klassen, Maria Pankratz: Producer
Carlos Reygadas, Jaime Romandia: Script
Carlos Reygadas: Cinematography
Alexis Zabe: Spoken language
Dutch