Part of Terry's idea for our little Film club was to have a chat about The Silenced after we posted our reviews. We spent a couple of hours talking about it as you can see. We didn't hold back while talking about The Silenced. so if you have not watched it yet, you will want to skip this post. There be lots of spoilers down below. If you have watched the movie and want to add anything to our conversation, feel free to drop a comment!

One thing to remember while you read this conversation: I was busy doing the copy and paste while also trying to keep up with the conversation and add to it. If we head off to a plot point before finishing a talk about a different plot point, that is probably more my fault than Terry's. Our little talk was happening live on Facebook messenger and it was hard to copy my side of it since I couldn't see the highlight with the background for my side already blue. I did my best to keep up. If you give our conversation a read, I do hope you enjoy it. It was a fun little thing to do and I'm looking forward to doing it again next month!

Terry: Great choice to start off this little venture! I’m glad we both liked the movie!

Heather: Thank you. I'm just happy that it turned out so well.

T: And, this conversation will include SPOILERS so we can talk freely about the film.

H: I'm sure everyone has watched it but us!

T: Haha, really? Oh, man-- I’m so behind the times! Well, good!

H: Before we really get into the film, which do you prefer: subtitles or dubbing?

T: You know, I guess I’m an elitist-purist, so I usually go with subtitles when I watch a foreign film.
However, sometimes I’ll check out the dubbed version, too.  Good! What about you?
Subtitles or dubbed?

H: I generally prefer subtitles, Some movies are dubbed only though

T: Sure. Sometimes it’d interesting comparing the two versions. Sometimes there are moments where it’s really different. I know NUDE FOR SATAN has some weird variations between the subtitles and the dubbing. Also, I think when it’s subtitled, they sometimes edit it down for length, too. Or, more maddeningly, a film’s inconsistent with the subtitling. In THE SILENCED, there were a couple moments where I had to laugh with the subtitling. Early in the film, when Shizuko is talking with Kihara, I think, Shizuko is still very quiet and one time, she barely nodded and was quiet, but the subtitle was “Yeah."

H: I've noticed that with subtitles, that they don't always work out. But I feel like the actors' performance stands out more with subtitles instead of listening to someone acting over the film

T: Yeah, it’s a give and take. I just started watching episodes of the anime KILL la KILL on Netflix. I first stumbled on it googling, uh, hot cosplayers and saw this outrageous costume. Well, I was excited to see it was available. I’ve been watching the subtitled version, but I might rewatch it dubbed because there’s a lot of subtitles flashing across the screen. And it’s hard to read while trying to focus on the action and skimpy outfits.

H: That is my biggest thing against subtitles, how quickly they sometimes disappear off the screen. If they would just add more than one character's subtitles to the screen, it would take care of some of that.

T: Sometimes they do that, but it’s really hit and miss. There’s a skill to doing proper subtitles-- something you appreciate only when the subtitles suck.

H: True that. So, Hae-yeong Lee sets the tone of the film pretty early doesn't he?

T: Yeah, I think so. and that tone is with character. He’s really meticulous, I think, setting up what kind of situation Shizuko is in coming to the school. But he also is consistent letting the creepiness factor enter the mood.

H: Yes. Even though we know nothing about Shizuko, it is hard not to feel sorry for her right away as we learn what is happening to her.

T:  I like how he established the distant relationship between Shizuko and her stepmother. He could have given the woman dialogue to establish she’s a bitch or cold or whatever. But instead, he does it with no dialogue. No dialogue in the car and then that parting shot where you wonder if she even said goodbye.

H: I was rather shocked by the slap that Shizuko gets not long after getting to this school.

T: I know! WTF! But, it’s great how Lee comes back to that later. You could almost dismiss it as standard Women in Prison style abuse in the system, a cliche. This poor girl is trapped in this new environment, and she’s not being unreasonable asking to keep her old diary. So, it was a bit of a cliche when she gets slapped, in that she gets unfairly punished or abused right from the start. Kind of like newbie prisoners being hosed down in the shower. But, I thought it was great that Lee also shows us why this Counselor did that. She gets that abuse from the headmistress.

H: That was a nice touch to show that since the headmistress is mostly shown as a nice person.

T: I’m really glad you liked the film, though. As I watched it, I’m thinking, yeah, this is not really a horror film. It really does operate like a mystery, with misdirection and red herrings.

H: I wondered where it was going at first. That was mostly because the missing girls and the goo left behind where they were last seen.

T: Yeah, that was a little bit of red herring bullshit, I think. There really was no explanation for that goo

H: You make it sound like you don't like red herrings.

T: Well, red herrings as a thing I have no problem with. It’s when they are abused

H: Like not explaining the goo?

T: Usually, a red herring is utilized to misdirect an audience to believe the suspect in a murder mystery is a possible murderer. I think a proper red herring uses a character’s actions in a way that they can be misinterpreted. But the abuse comes when they arbitrarily act guilty and then afterward, there’s no reason for them to have acted that way. I think that’s abusing a red herring.
As for the goo…In that case, I just accepted it as a red herring! hahaha! I mean, after the fact. Other red herrings, I think, are when she sees the girls in the lin the bottom of the pond. But, I can explain that as metaphorical vision...I think I’m subconsciously accepting the “side-effects” of this experimental drug to explain these weird visions, etc. Even though the film doesn’t outright say that’s what going on, or what happened. But, there are anomalies we see from the drug use, like Kihara’s erratic behavior. She’s suddenly violent, then has a foaming mouth fit. When she’s better, she outright claims that violence never happened. So, that implies the screwiness of this drug in hindsight, so I think the audience embraces that idea as an explanation. You know? If you like the film, I think you can forgive its occasional logical weaknesses. If you don’t like the film, you’re more critical, or these weaknesses make you more critical.

H: Add to that that Shizuko sometimes doesn't look well after a treatment and it helps play into that maybe it is the drug that is messing with her mind, causing her to see things that aren't there.

T: Yes. There’s a great straightforward misdirect when Kazue is in bed and suddenly she realizes something is inexplicably crawling underneath the blankets towards her. And it’s Shizuko! First, you’re like, WTF? Then the whole moment under the bed is really sweet and charming. And kind of heartbreaking, too, because you’re seeing this other side of Shizuko opening up and smiling. That moment between the two girls is really wonderful and I think inspired  And I like how Lee gets his creep factor in there at first, but then goes where he really wants to with the characters.

H: I noticed when reading your review that we both seemed to like the friendship between the two girls a lot.

T: Yes! I’m glad you like that aspect a lot, too! I know I’m sentimental, so I wasn’t sure if I'd be in the minority re that. Yeah, Shizuko and Kazue’s relationship is really the core of the film. At least, I think so. And when you realize that Kazue is going to die and not be saved in the water chamber, that’s a horrible realization. What did you think of that moment with the broken record player?

H: It was a nice touch and a nice way to end the film. I wasn't sure where that scene was taking place, after it all or before the ending? But to me, it reflected on their friendship in the perfect way.

T: You know, at first I thought it was a flashback of a moment between the two girls that we hadn’t been shown. But, part of me feels that it’s a metaphysical moment. They’re dead but together. I wouldn’t say it’s heaven, but that’s a Christian concept.

H: It is a moment that could go either way I think.

T: It seems very zen. A broken record player is now able to work, but when you put the needle down you hear nothing. It’s a peaceful moment and they are together. I think it’s great that the scene is in there. Because if they had both survived, it couldn’t practically be a happy ending. They’re girls, what could they do afterward?  So, it’s sad but still manages to be a satisfying ending. I told you, I’m sentimental! hahaha! BTW, You were implying Capt. America in your review, weren’t you?

H: It was hard not to with a super soldier serum being worked on.

T: Hahaha! I know!

H: And taking place around that same time as well, WWII.

T: In the sequel, the drug turns the girls all into werewolves.

H: Will you direct?

T: Maybe... ha! There must be a film like that out there already. If not, it should make its money on the IndieGoGo like THAT! I also thought of this. I never read it, but the reference is similar. Truth: Red, White & Black. It’s a GREAT idea... and really depressing.

H: I will check that out! What did you think of the direction that The Silenced ended up going in?

T: I liked it, but I realized at a certain point that there are possibilities as to what Shizuko could possibly do. and I could see that dividing some audiences expecting straight horror. But, having said that, I liked it. But yeah, it does sort of turn into a comic book movie. In a completely different way, it reminded me of BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF which I loved. But, that film sort of goes through different genres, too.

H: It was a little confusing at first. Shizuko makes this giant jump and I was like: wait, how does this tie in with what we already know?

T: Lee sets up that moment really great, too. The first time she jumps it seems she’s merely getting healthier. I  love how she counts out the distance to confirm that’s how far she jumped, she can’t believe it. It’s very endearing. But, the one thing that seems to separate Shizuko from the other girls and how the drug affects them is Shizuko’s emotional contribution. When she’s most “superhuman” happens when she’s very emotional. And with all the care Lee takes to get us to empathize with Shizuko, we totally understand her emotional outbursts.

H: I also wondered if what each girl is sick with might affect how the drug works.

T: Yes that’s another element, too. Yeah, maybe the drug would only work on soldiers with TB. So, yeah: what you said in your review: “I want what Shizuko was taking!"

H: I just wondered that because while it does seem to partly work on the other girls, Shizuko seems to be the one it worked with the best results.

T: Maybe the headmistress needed work with her lab technique.No control specimen! Yeah, sometimes scientific logic in a movie is simply great fantasy.  Like John Travolta in PHENOMENON or Jija Yanin in CHOCOLATE

H: One thing I wanted to touch on with you, what did you think of Kenji? Was he for or against the drug?

T: He seemed indifferent. I think he was merely following orders and not passionately invested in the results.

H: I was rather shocked when he shot Shizuko.

T: As a soldier, that’s what he knew. But it was shocking. I don’t think they really had any real positive results up to that point. So these girls were disposable ultimately.

H: What would be the point of freezing the girls if the drug didn't work up to that point?

T: Well, I suppose they could be dissected for further study..?

H: Wonderful thought there.

T: Well, the Japanese military was known for being cruel. I don’t know if they were actually doing experimental “research” on prisoners of war, too, like the Dr. Mengele with the Nazis

H: Yes they were to some extent. There is a unit that was famous for it.

T: So, it makes sense they were experimenting on Korean girls.

H:  I guess you can say that the girls were going to die anyway, at least with Shizuko since she has TB.

T: Oh! Before I forget: I liked the music, too. There were moments where I felt it enhanced the scene. Like, when Shizuko makes the big jump. Also, I like how Lee used the color red in different ways for emphasis. Red is the color of the dress Shizuko wears to the school her first day. That makes sense because she’s going to be associated with blood at the beginning. But later, when she starts to get better the first time, she and Kazue are going to the pond, and we see red flowers along the path. red is being used in a positive way for the "when she starts to get better". Red is being used in a positive way for the first time. And a flower blossoms, something her confidence is about to do.

H: Wasn't they also eating a red flower?

T: Yes, that, too! Kazue and the first Shizuko. Okay, here’s a question. What did the girls do to the Counselor at the end? Did they embroider her face?

H: Yes they did.

T: I'm slow!

H: A great way to die!

T: I knew they did something but I didn’t really get it until now.

H: What did you think of the moment that Yuka confronted  Shizuko about Shizuko taking her place and the result?

T: Yuka is a sympathetic (sort of ) bully. Well, no that’s wrong. Not sympathetic. But, we eventually understand why she attacks Shizuko the way she does. But, she’s still a bully. I like that moment. The teachers in that school seem to be conspicuously absent every now and then, hahaha!

H: I really loved how Shizuko was slowly breaking out of her shell the better she felt.

T: Yes! And very convincingly, too. At the beginning, she seems incapable of even talking at an audible level. But in the scene with Yuka, she convincingly shows strength. Also when she gives the dead bird back to her. I like how in that scene with yuka, it ultimately becomes yet another piece in reminding Kazue what happened with the first Shizuko. How Shizuko doesn’t feel the glass shards in her flesh.

H: It was a big surprise what Kazue did in the basement.

T: Yeah. her repression of what happened was an interesting choice

H: As much as I would like to go one with our convo, it is getting late (for me at least) and I have some paperwork to finish up. Is there anything you would like to add it parting?

T: No, I think we covered a lot of ground!

H: That we did. It was fun doing this and I look forward to doing it again next month.