Silenced (2011)

GREAT MOVIES: Hwang Dong Hyuk's Silenced (South Korea, 2011) - Were Silenced not based on fact, its unchecked depiction of corporal and sexual abuse in a Korean school for the deaf could be construed as sensational, manipulative, even sadistic. As it were, the polished manner in which director-screenwriter Hwang Dong-hyuk (My Father) adopts mainstream genre conventions to develop ambience, suspense and calculated twists propels the story to an incendiary and compelling conclusion. Although the film ultimately achieves its function to expose deep-rooted and far-reaching social injustice,its visceral representation of harrowing and morally repugnant scenes remains unnerving and questionable. Adapted from successful writer Cong Jee-young's online novel Dogani, which sparked an uproar over the then little known case, the film still caused a public stir when released in Korea, reflected in the 2.7 million tickets sold within two weeks. It can exert an equally forceful impact on overseas viewers, but making itself heard beyond Asian specialist ancillary could be tricky. 2011HIT. RATING: 9