A Wall of Silence
| A Wall of Silence | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Lita Stantic |
| Written by | Graciela Maglie Gabriela Massuh |
| Produced by | Dolly Pussi Pablo Rovito |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Félix Monti |
| Edited by | Juan Carlos Macías |
| Music by | Néstor Marconi |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 min |
| Countries | Argentina Mexico United Kingdom |
| Language | Spanish |
A Wall of Silence (Spanish: Un muro de silencio) is a 1993 Argentine drama film starring Vanessa Redgrave. The film depicts a turbulent period in Argentine history, the National Reorganization Process as well as the responsibility of artists in engaging and interpreting human stories from this period.[1] It was directed by Lita Stantic and released theatrically in Argentina on 10 June 1993. It was also screened later that year at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was released as Black Flowers in some English territories.
Plot
Kate (Redgrave) is a British film director who is making a film on location in Argentina that tells the story of Silvia (Medina). Silvia is still struggling with the trauma of her husband's forced disappearance years earlier during the Dirty War. She wants to move on with her life and concentrate on her family, but she is eventually persuaded to relive her painful past.[2]
Cast
- Vanessa Redgrave as Kate Benson
- Ofelia Medina as Silvia
- Lautaro Murúa as Bruno
- Lorenzo Quinteros
- Soledad Villamil as Ana-Laura
- André Melançon
- Julio Chávez as Julio-Patricio
- Graciela Araujo
Production
Stantic had the idea for the film as early as 1986 after an experience of working with the British actress Julie Christie on Miss Mary. Christie revealed to Stantic her personal experience of having set up her life in Argentina with the intention of discovering the recent past.[3]
It was subsequently filmed in Buenos Aires in 1992.[4] It is a co-production between Argentina's Aleph Producciones, Britain's Channel 4 and Mexico's Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (IMCINE).
Reception
The film was generally well-received, proving to be a success with Argentine film critics. Although this was a period when Argentine film audiences were more enthralled with viewing politics through the gaze of melodrama and rock music.[5] Redgrave was praised for her performance, especially for the striking similarities betweens her character and her real-life persona as supporter of sometimes unpopular minority causes.[6]
References
- ^ Young, Richard A. (1997). Latin American Postmodernisms. Rodopi. ISBN 978-90-420-0250-0.
- ^ "Un Muro de Silencio". Lisa Stantic Producciones. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ Guest, Haden (11 November 2009). "An Interview with Lita Stantic". ReVista. Vol. 8, no. 3.
- ^ "Instituto Espacio para la Memoria". Institutio Espacio para la Memoria (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ Bethell, Leslie (1998). A Cultural History of Latin America: Literature, Music and the Visual Arts. Cambridge University Press.
- ^ Guneratne, Anthony R.; Dissanayake, Wimal (2003). Rethinking Third Cinema. Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-415-21354-7.