THE SILENT ONE

Director Yvonne Mackay / 1984 / New Zealand

Stunningly photographed in the tropical Cook Islands this feature film tells the story of a native boy who mysteriously emerges from the sea as a baby and is adopted by one of the villagers. The boy, Jonasi, is set apart from the others because he is different - he neither speaks nor hears, communicating by sign language. As he also seems to possess supernatural powers he is increasingly feared and resented. Reviled by the village priest as an evil spirit, Jonasi seeks solace swimming and playing with an albino turtle, having more affinity with the sea world than the humans who do not understand him. Following a devastating storm, attempts are made to kill both the boy and turtle. A shark kills the assailant and both escape to continue their search for peace and acceptance.

An excellent film that visually presents in an entertainment format the problems encountered by the deaf and the dumb. It is also particularly relevant to multicultural and language development studies.

”In the style of Henri Safran's ‘Storm Boy'. . . a visually striking picture which makes excellent use of the location, a paradise on earth.”

- Variety

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