Martin Scorsese’s epic new film, Silence, is a monumental work, and a punishing one. It puts you through hell with no promise of enlightenment, only a set of questions and propositions, sensations and experiences.
It’s no surprise to learn that the film’s director has been working on it for decades, since he first read the 1966 novel by Shûsaku Endô about Jesuit priests suffering for their faith in 17th century Japan, where Christianity is outlawed. In fact, in this film there is a fierce debate about the opposition of Christianity and Buddhism, of Europe and Asia, and about the relativism of faith.
Some of the questions asked are: How often can a man sin and still be forgiven? If God exists, why does he allow us to suffer? Is it better to stand up for our values – whether religious or otherwise – or is martyrdom really an act of selfishness?
Book seats here to perhaps find some answers to these & other questions?
