The Whispering Star

The Whispering Star very much stands out in the filmography of Sion Sono, who is sometimes criticized for making "loud" movies.

This is an extremely quiet movie. There is no ambience in the spaceship. All the dialogue is spoken in whispers. Not everything that should make a sound effect does. Watch this in a very quiet, dark room for the best experience. I had to pause a file transfer because my hard drive writing itself made a noise too distracting, so this is not a Doritos kind of movie.

Suddenly the subtle sound of crickets on a planet is comforting against the lonely silence of space. The few sound effect that are used are noticeable and very impactful. The beautiful music that plays only 2 or 3 times just overwhelms you.

While not as great as some of his maximalistic films, this one proves Sono is a great storyteller even when he's outside of his comfort zone. The minimalist approach and slow burn story work wonderfully and create a very unique experience as you discover more about the nature of the character and the universe she inhabits. It leaves you with interesting observations to think about. I will surely be revisiting this film in the future.