Martin Scorsese's New Religious Film, Silence, Tells the Christian Persecution in Japan

Andrew Garfield prays in “Silence”
Andrew Garfield prays in “Silence”
By Yetta YaoJanuary 4th, 2017

The epic film "Silence", an adaptation of Shusaku Endo's 1966 novel of the same name was listed in the Top Ten Films of 2016 by American Film Institute. Lasting over three hours, the film may hit the big screen in China this coming February.

Martin Scorsese, the famous director from Hollywood, began to prepare for the film starring Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson and Tadanobu Asano more than two decades ago and the whole process experienced difficulties. "Silence" may be a nominee for Oscar this season.

The drama tells the story of two Jesuit missionaries Sebastião Rodrigues and Francisco Garrpe played by Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver, who asked their church to find their missing mentor Father Cristóvão Ferreira, acted by Liam Neeson. Set in the 17th century when the Japanese government suppressed Christianity, the film shares that Father Ferreira is reported to have apostatized, in fact, to save innocent Japanese believers.

When the two young Catholic priests see cruel tortures in Japan due to faith persecution, Rodrigues faces choice on his belief: repudiate his faith to save Christians or being martyred for his faith. Intending not to die under the malicious plan of Japanese, ready for martyrdom, he prays to God but receives only silence. Helpless, the priest is struggling against the force beyond control -- to renounce his religion for lives or wait for God's salvation by adhering to his faith?

Translated By: Karen Luo

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