Director: Aleksei Fedorchenko
Starring: Yuliya Aug, Igor Sergeev, Yuri Tsurilo
Running Time: 75 minutes
Certificate: 15
Extras: Trailer
Mortality is a reality we all face; one day everyone dies, it is the only certainty in life. SILENT SOULS takes this statement and meanders around with it. Beginning in the Russian town of Neya, Aist and Miron (Tsurilo) are both Meryan – a tribute, but not based on the Merya people. Aist lives a lonely batchelor lifestyle working at the paper mill where Miron is director. Following Miron’s wife Tanya’s (Aug) death the two set out to cremate her body in the Meryan tradition by travelling to Gorbatov – the place of their honeymoon – and placing her ashes in the Oka river. SILENT SOULS looks at death told almost entirely by Aist’s (Sergeev) narration and is a challenging look into the psyche of those mourning, and a nation losing its identity.
Given the morbid synopsis you could be mistaken that SILENT SOULS is a dank, depressing piece of work; on the contrary it is a pleasant enough watch with hope, love, and respect running through it. It won’t have you rolling in the aisles – or off your sofa – but the strength of performances from Tsurilo and Sergeev keep you watching. A good job as well, as Sergey Ivanov’s editing is somewhat questionable early on – the first flashback to Aist’s childhood and his mothers funeral lacks the desired effect as it is sprung on the viewer. A pity given the tremendous job Fedorchenko has done directing.
SILENT SOULS is a film that will either strike a chord, or bore you senseless. It has a depth that is almost bottomless if taken in the right way, yet it is tough to immerse yourself in. Perhaps Fedorchenko has created a work too complex to be appreciated by the masses; it is deeply personal and the feeling whilst watching is almost of intrusion – should we be watching? Not the easiest of watches, and you may not revisit, but SILENT SOULS is brave enough to warrant your time just don’t be surprised if respect of bravery turns into frustration at the funeral-like pacing.
SILENT SOULS is released on DVD October 22nd.
