Taken literally or as an allegory, this is the perfect story of the misunderstood teen

rooprect

"Beyond Silence" is the story of a young girl who is a musical prodigy, but her parents have no appreciation for her talents because they are deaf. Immediately you can see how this brilliantly summarizes the plight of so many youngsters, across all generations, whose hopes and dreams fall on deaf ears. In that sense, this film applies to all of us regardless of whether we play music or grow up dealing with disabilities in the family. This story is universal and timeless.

Excellently acted all around (with the 2 deaf parents played by actors who are deaf in real life), I think the character who steals the show is the young girl Lara, age 7ish, played by Tatjana Trieb. She is intelligent and clever, often manipulating the situation to her benefit in a cheeky way (for example, acting as translator between her parents and her teachers but only translating what she wants them to know). In a subtle way, it sets the tone that our young protagonist is not a victim but rather a rebel who is willing to stand up for herself. Thus, even though the plot may seem like a frustrating ride, it's actually the opposite. The young girl is the one who's in control most of the time.

The story then jumps ahead several years with the role of Lara being assumed by Sylvie Testud, whom you may recognize from her role in "La Vie en Rose" 10 years after this. The young adult Lara is now living in Berlin and navigating her life away from her family, but there are complications. Enter the aunt, "Clarissa" (Sibylle Canonica) who is a complex character suffering from a host of mental issues due to always playing second fiddle to her deaf brother (Lara's father). As we see Clarissa become increasingly unhinged, possibly manipulating Lara's career for her own interests, the story takes on a deeper layer. It's this 2nd plot--relating to the collateral damage that a disability has on other family members--that really spices up the story.

"Beyond Silence" lots of food for thought, regardless of whether your life mirrors the lives of these characters. It's a thick family drama that revolves around the emotional friction within a family when people don't "hear" each other, literally or figuratively.

score 8/10

rooprect 18 January 2021

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw6502109/