2023 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
After the death of their mother, Agnieszka must take care of her teenage brother Miłosz. Agnieszka is thirty-five, well established in her life in Germany, but it’s now time for change. Agnieszka moves to Poland, prepared to start new–but she has a secret that she has to keep. Her partner Majka is along for the ride, and the discrimination that they would face if the public finds out would be astronomical. Silent Love follows this new family dynamic as they try to make the best of what they have.
I believe that in the grand scheme of Silent Love, it’s really just a simple documentary about life and love. It depicts a blossoming young family as they try to deal with the trials and tribulations of life (particularly the ones that come with being part of the LGBTQ+ community). It’s nice to see something simple–something that I believe a lot of different people will be able to appreciate, but I also sort of want more. I want to be able to feel everything that the individuals on screen are feeling, and in a documentary this simple, that can be hard. Writer-Director Marek Kozakiewicz, however, knows how to reach his audience–and he uses some unique techniques to do just that.
There are these brilliant moments that help allow viewers to understand and appreciate the things that are occurring throughout Silent Love. Following a fly on curtains, seeing Miłosz’s head ping pong back and forth while watching his sister play air hockey, and the repetition of commands given by Miłosz’s teacher all work to create a narrative, to tell a story. Again, I believe that Silent Love is a pretty simplistic documentary, but there are times when it’s so simple that it runs the risk of losing viewers. Capturing these instances and including them in the film works wonders, and it helps to develop the three subjects of Silent Love and their story. This may seem like a series of small details, but they play a massive role in the film.
Documentaries about diversity are becoming more and more prominent around the world. People have become tired with the idea of remaining silent and hiding the reality of their lives and the world around them. Silent Love is a prime example of this–of a couple that is tired of being forced into the shadows, away from the mainstream. Kozakiewicz is tactful in his approach toward bringing this love story to life. He isn’t forceful or belligerent like can sometimes happen, but rather he presents things in an even keeled and effective fashion.
A lot of the film’s success comes from the fact that Kozakiewicz knows how to reach his viewers. He knows not to be too aggressive, and he knows that he needs to include some artistic elements that help to guide the documentary. Silent Love is just that, a film about love that is forced to remain hidden–and it’s a touchy subject. The content is presented in a sensitive and appropriate fashion–helping to invite viewers from all walks of life into the film. The touching nature of what is presented to viewers will keep them engaged and allow the film to find success.
Written & Directed by Marek Kozakiewicz.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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