The Great Silence (2022)
Another impressive debut from a new Danish director. Works as a chamber play with a small cast and takes place almost exclusively inside a convent over a couple of days, as Alma is preparing to take her vows but the arrival of her alcoholic brother complicates matters.
It is pretty clear early on that something is deeply troubling Alma, and the narrative in that regard follows a somewhat predictable path. There may not be any big surprises, and some of the “revealing” flashbacks mostly picture what we could already deduce, but I must admit I liked it regardless. It is effective in its film language, the visuals are great, and the overall theme of dealing with repressed guilt is well handled. Both Kristine Kujath Thorp and Elliott Crosset Hove steal the screen with their equally intense presence.
Not a perfect film, as the plot felt too constructed and the dialogue sometimes a bit clunky, but still worth seeing for anyone interested in what upcoming Danish directors are bringing to the industry.
Rating: 3.5