A seven-year-old girl adopts a vow of silence in protest when her quarrelsome parents grow increasingly hostile to one another.A seven-year-old girl adopts a vow of silence in protest when her quarrelsome parents grow increasingly hostile to one another.A seven-year-old girl adopts a vow of silence in protest when her quarrelsome parents grow increasingly hostile to one another.
- Awards
- 3 nominations total
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
6.7617
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Featured reviews
From a mother's point of view
This movie opened my eyes and got me down to a 7 year old's level. Actually I should say up to a 7 year old's level, in this movie the adults seemed more childish than the child!
It was great to see life in a not so harmonious household from the child's point of view! So many things I've heard myself say to my own child, the mother in the film said and I swear I will always think before speaking to my kids!
It's a very original and thought provoking movie - I recommend it to everyone!
It was great to see life in a not so harmonious household from the child's point of view! So many things I've heard myself say to my own child, the mother in the film said and I swear I will always think before speaking to my kids!
It's a very original and thought provoking movie - I recommend it to everyone!
Nearly made this metalhead cry
I found a used copy of this on ebay and bought it because I saw Bad Boy Bubby (one of Rolf's earlier films) and loved it. While it was completely different, I enjoyed it just as much as I did Bubby.
I've read other users complain of how De Heer spells out everything in his films and doesn't give the viewers a chance to pick up on things for themselves... When this movie started, I felt the same way but soon got used to it and was able to look past it. The film is about a girl who decided to quit talking, but we hear narration through out the film, answering all of her parents questions, etc. More silence might have made for a better film, but it also could have made it a bit more boring. It did drag a bit as is, but the girl was great in the movie (even her stupid rhymes) and I couldn't stop watching.
Being a child of divorce, one of the fight scenes hit a little close to home. I remember feeling exactly as the girl did when it happened in my family, covering my head trying to block it out, crying etc. This movie took me right back to those times, like it or not.
I liked how none of the characters had names and also how small the cast was. The movie works because of how simple it was. I'm curious to see more of Rolf's films now, too bad none of the rental stores here carry any of his stuff.
I've read other users complain of how De Heer spells out everything in his films and doesn't give the viewers a chance to pick up on things for themselves... When this movie started, I felt the same way but soon got used to it and was able to look past it. The film is about a girl who decided to quit talking, but we hear narration through out the film, answering all of her parents questions, etc. More silence might have made for a better film, but it also could have made it a bit more boring. It did drag a bit as is, but the girl was great in the movie (even her stupid rhymes) and I couldn't stop watching.
Being a child of divorce, one of the fight scenes hit a little close to home. I remember feeling exactly as the girl did when it happened in my family, covering my head trying to block it out, crying etc. This movie took me right back to those times, like it or not.
I liked how none of the characters had names and also how small the cast was. The movie works because of how simple it was. I'm curious to see more of Rolf's films now, too bad none of the rental stores here carry any of his stuff.
Excellent story of a child's perspective on life...
1st watched 10/15/1999 - 8 out of 10(Dir-Rolf De Heer): Excellent story of a child's perspective on life with parents who are having a hard time making things work.Definetly not a hollywood movie, but rather a slice of real life.Why can't us Americans make more time for movie's like this?(This film is Australian made.)
Film for the Thinker
This film is one of my favorite films of all time. Because I loved the way the girl talked in her head, she talked more like a grown person, not a 8 year old. Her humor was dry, but funny. And the way she loved her parents, even with their faults was remarkable.
The actress who played the little girl did some of the best acting I have ever seen. She hit my heartstrings. The parents were awesome too, playing out two people on the verge of a divorce. Even the babysitter was good. so all in all the acting was superb.
The director really stood out with this movie, being able to make a hard-to-shoot film look easy. My hat is off to him.
I recommend this film for a 'Thinker' movie buff.
The actress who played the little girl did some of the best acting I have ever seen. She hit my heartstrings. The parents were awesome too, playing out two people on the verge of a divorce. Even the babysitter was good. so all in all the acting was superb.
The director really stood out with this movie, being able to make a hard-to-shoot film look easy. My hat is off to him.
I recommend this film for a 'Thinker' movie buff.
Great Movie
It was this movie which really opened my eyes to the possibilities of one movie can bring.
This is a masterpiece which really brings up the feelings, I mean that sort of tension without word. The girl simply closes herself off, while she wants to speak, in her heart, but none of her parents understand.
I was very touched by this movie this is a very great piece of work by Rolf, a classic, I'm looking forward to see "The old man who read love stories" and more of his work in the future.
I'd recommend this movie to absolutely everyone, be warned though you have to be more patience while watching.
This is a masterpiece which really brings up the feelings, I mean that sort of tension without word. The girl simply closes herself off, while she wants to speak, in her heart, but none of her parents understand.
I was very touched by this movie this is a very great piece of work by Rolf, a classic, I'm looking forward to see "The old man who read love stories" and more of his work in the future.
I'd recommend this movie to absolutely everyone, be warned though you have to be more patience while watching.
Did you know
- TriviaWriter-director Rolf de Heer said of this film: "I'm really interested in the way children think, and I have quite strong memories of childhood and how I thought" explained de Heer. "I do remember quite strongly feeling that adults underestimate the way children think and that I must never forget that, so that when I became an adult I wouldn't make the same mistake."
- Quotes
[first lines]
Girl Age 7: Hey diddle diddle, the cow did a piddle behind the kitchen door. The little dog laughed to see such fun, so the cat did a little bit more.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Movie Show: Episode dated 11 May 1997 (1997)
- SoundtracksRow Row Row Your Boat
Traditional
Sung a cappella by Chloe Ferguson with modified lyrics
Reprised a cappella by Phoebe Ferguson with modified lyrics
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- La habitación silenciosa
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 1h 32m(92 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content







