Paramount has released the firstSilencetrailer online.Martin Scorsese’s long-in-development film follows two Jesuit priests (Adam DriverandAndrew Garfield) who go looking for their mentor (Liam Neeson) in 17th Century Japan, a time when outsiders, and especially Christians, were treated with disdain and mistrust. Written byJay Cocks(Gangs of New York), the film is based on the novel byShusaku Endo.
It will be interesting to see ifSilencecan become a player in this year’s awards race. It bypassed the festival circuit, although that wasn’t a problem for Scorsese’s previous film,The Wolf of Wall Street, which racked up five Oscar nominations. In fact, every Scorsese film going back toGangs of New York(with the exception ofShutter Island) has been nominated for Best Picture, and it wouldn’t surprise us to see that streak continue.
This is a pretty incredible trailer that hints at a film that will dive deep into questions of not only religious tolerance, but how religion functions in a societal power structure. While the set-up is two priests looking for their mentor, the film looks like it goes far beyond that premise to show the dangers of ministering the faith to the Japanese people. I also love that this looks like the protagonists will be wrestling with their faith and having it tested in a foreign land. Scorsese films always offer plenty to chew on, andSilencelooks like it will be no different. I can’t wait to see it.
Check out theSilencetrailer below. The film also starsTadanobu AsanoandCiaran Hindsand opens in theaters on December 23rd.
Here’s the official synopsis forSilence:
Martin Scorsese’s SILENCE tells the story of two Christian missionaries (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) who face the ultimate test of faith when they travel to Japan in search of their missing mentor (Liam Neeson) – at a time when Christianity was outlawed and their presence forbidden. The celebrated director’s 28-year journey to bring Shusaku Endo’s 1966 acclaimed novel to life will be in theaters this Christmas.
