El Suspiro del Silencio

"The beast has run over, under its rough hair, the tremulous little body, soft as a fleece; and has ground the flesh, and ground the bones, and has squeezed the heart like a cherry..." Gabriela Mistral

This is how the film "The whisper of Silence" directed by Alfonso Quijada begins, which not only has a plot of deep current sensitivity, but also a Salvadoran cast of excellence. Cinema as a means of transforming society takes effect when the stories manage to touch the human fiber that makes us connect with what is presented and "The whisper of Silence", is just that: from independent cinema a proposal that invites the transformation of violence against women, in particular, the sexual violations that still happen in the world.

Adding to history the magic of the smells, the landscapes, the flavors through coffee tasting, places us in a permanent imaginative tension of sensoriality, being a key element because culturally these elements mark life. And it is that "The whisper of silence" presents us with all this into the story, that mixture of structural and cultural themes that are part of Latin America. Thank you, Alfonso, for placing this issue of violence as a photograph to be changed. Thank you for challenging our memories, our senses, our intellect, and our consciousness.

This film kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, fully engaged with every twist and turn. It evoked vivid memories of living in South America, capturing the region's picturesque landscapes and rich coffee culture in such a beautiful way. However, this was contrasted by the portrayal of an all-too-common abuse story-one that, sadly, resonates not just in South America but around the world. It's rare to see such important and difficult stories told with such sensitivity and impact. Films like this are a powerful reminder of the stories that need to be heard..

Beautifully done! <3.

This is one of those films that draws you in as you learn more about each character and their story and how they relate to each other. The suspense grows as each relationship continues to change. The story allows each character to have depth so their words carry more meaning which helped me become immersed in the wonderous and stunning landscape of El Salvador. It felt like a fresh dimension of wonder and excitement. The actors were superb and led by the main character, Josefina, played by Laura Osma. I think this movie is a triumph for the director, Alfonso Quijada. He has brought to life the story of women suffering in the coffee fields of El Salvador even as they continue to follow their dreams and passions.

There are remnants of a good film in there, but 'The Whisper of Silence' is ultimately boring viewing.

One or two moments piqued my interest, though for the vast majority of these 90 or so minutes I was super unintrigued by events onscreen (or lack thereof). The main plot is literally about coffee tasting (!), the filmmakers were evidently going for the artsy approach but boy does it feel like a waste of screen time. The subplot with Alfredo at least offers something to watch with interest.

With all that said, I will say that I did actually like Laura Osma in the lead role. She has a great acting face, I know that's a weird thing to say but what I mean is I can see her acting in something like a bloody horror flick and killing it. Unfortunately, here, Osma doesn't have much to work with; in that sense, she actually does quite well.

This picture does admirably end with a stark message about women's rights, so that's something. Strictly as a movie: disappointing.

The Whisper of Silence (or El Suspiro del Silencio in Spanish) is a universally powerful story...

The protagonist embarks on a powerful journey, one that reveals the complexities of womanhood, violence, sophicating pain, and inner profound silence. She is both strong and fragile, striving for her own path while longing for the support and encouragement of her female, and yes, her male counterparts. Her story resonates with anyone who has ever been torn between the need to be resilient and the desire for protection while drowning in the inability to speak the truth.

As the audience watches her journey unfold, they will find themselves captivated by her grace and spirit. She is enchanting, her struggles and triumphs echoing the experiences of women everywhere. The film doesn't offer a simple ending, it is shocking -- but it is done to invite the audience to reflect, learn, and grow alongside the protagonist and more importantly to create meaningful dialogue about the horror of violence against women all over the world.

Movies like this have the power to inspire, offer an opportunity to look at the world, and try to find transcending language for this global issue.