Song of Silence

Intricate family ties are revealed in a naturalistic drama about loneliness and awakening. Jing is a deaf teenage girl living in a fishing village with her uncle and grandfather. After an incident with her uncle, she has to move in with her father, Zhang Haoyang, and his girlfriend, Mei. Jing’s father sees her as an obstacle for his new family, but Mei’s rebellious personality turns out to be an even bigger one. Zhang Haoyang is forced to redefine himself as a father, lover and human being. The camera’s use of distance plays an important part in the narrative, reflecting Jing’s loneliness in an isolated existence. rk

Chen Zhuo (1978) debuts as a director with Song of Silence, but has long been involved in the contemporary arts. In addition to digital video, he studied architecture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts. He has worked with animation, photography and experimental video. His work has been displayed and awarded both in China and abroad.