Hear the Silence

Read Time:3 Minute, 48 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Moeder (Mother)
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Genre: Short
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 20m
Director(s): Salomon Ligthelm
Writer(s): Luca Degani, Salomon Ligthelm, Joshua Sullivan
Cast: Hanna Bezmenova, Chris Galust
Where To Watch: shown at the 2024 Leeds International Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: In the opening moments of MOEDER, we're thrust into the chilling reality of a miner's everyday life disrupted by a grim discovery. As director Salomon Ligthelm orchestrates this intimate narrative against the expansive tragedy of the MH17 disaster, the film draws us into a simple life turned upside down by a haunting sound from a phone buried in his backyard. Chris Galust breathes life into the character of Vitaly Ivanov with a performance that captures the heartbreak of sudden loss through the lens of a solitary, echoing ring.

Farhad Ghaderi's cinematography paints the bleak Ukrainian-Russian border with strokes of gray and shadows, crafting a canvas that brings the weight of the narrative's emotion to the forefront. Without resorting to dense exposition, MOEDER communicates its themes through solid visual storytelling and sparse, impactful dialogue, demanding a certain level of awareness from its audience. This approach might challenge some viewers who need to become more familiar with the backdrop of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. Still, it also taps into a universal vein of grief and human endurance, resonating deeply emotionally.

The film tells a story that permeates every frame, depicting miners draped in fatigue and resignation. These men, marked by life's harsh realities, embody the silent endurance of individuals caught in the whirlwind of a conflict far beyond their choosing. Ligthelm uses visual symbols, like white flags on mining poles, to underline the miners' fragile existence on the edges of war, pulling viewers into a palpable sense of impending danger that hangs over the narrative.

The subdued yet profound interactions between Vitaly and his wife, portrayed by Marta Beloshapka, peel back layers of their fraught relationship, marked by the heavy silence of things left unsaid. Galust's expressive performance peaks in a scene that captures the raw emotion of a man connecting over a simple phone call, a moment that lays bare the deep scars etched by tragedy.

MOEDER stands out for its authenticity, bolstered by the contributions of Ukrainian and Dutch collaborators like Daniel Linnik-Zhuravliov and Vadim Yuzba, who ensure the film's portrayal remains true to its cultural and historical context. The film eschews sensationalism for a sincere exploration of its themes, enriching its narrative with a grounded and respectful depiction of real-world events.

While the film's artistic subtlety is one of its greatest strengths, it may also restrict accessibility for those unfamiliar with the MH17 incident. Nevertheless, Luke Atencio's evocative score and Ghaderi’s commanding cinematography invite the audience deeper into the film's emotional landscape, ensuring each scene vibrates with emotional depth and authenticity.

Ligthelm's MOEDER transcends its specific setting to address universal themes of grief, resilience, and empathy, making it a powerful meditation on the indomitable human spirit. This film is a profound exploration of the resilience found in shared human experiences.

The film concludes with scenes that resonate long after the credits roll, leaving us with a poignant reminder of the quiet strength that characterizes the human condition. Ligthelm has crafted more than just a narrative; he has forged a space for collective mourning and understanding, positioning MOEDER as a pivotal work in modern cinema.

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[photo courtesy of RADIOAKTIVE FILM]

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