THE SILENCE

Khorshid is a ten year old blind boy who lives alone with his mother. He uses his exceptional hearing to bring extra cash into a needy household that subsists on his mother's fishing. Khorshid employs his gift as a tuner of traditional musical instruments, but, like most boys of his age he is easily distracted. A song, a pretty female voice, a rhythm or a conversation will waylay Khorshid on his way to or from work causing much consternation to both his boss and mother.

Mohsen Makhmalbaf is a master story-teller using the most minimal of palettes. Colour and texture—the surface of a brass drum, a handful of strawberries, a freshly baked loaf—background wonderful, wholly real­istic everyday human interaction. Makhmalbaf has shown himself to be adept at bringing to the screen clas­sic tales of romance, comedy, high drama and even a type of Mid East, postmodern, self-reflexive film gag with Salaam Cinema (MIFF 1996). With nothing to prove he has crafted a simple, uplifting and joyous tale of childhood curiosity. Youthful Tahmineh Normatova, who plays Khorshid, is brilliant as a gifted child who gives the impression that he is barely conscious of being without one of his senses, so rich is his life.