The Race Against Mafia in the Heart of Moscow

Read Time:4 Minute, 59 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Mute Witness [Limited Edition]
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Genre: Crime, Horror, Thriller
Year Released: 1995, 2024 Arrow Video 4K
Runtime: 1h 35m
Director(s): Anthony Waller
Writer(s): Anthony Waller
Cast: Marina Zudina, Fay Ripley, Evan Richards, Igor Volkov, Sergei Karlenkov, Alec Guinness, Aleksandr Pyatkov, Nikolai Pastukhov, Aleksandr Bureyev, Yuriy Sherstnyov
Where To Watch: available June 11, 2024; pre-order here www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Step into the suspense-filled world of MUTE WITNESS, where director Anthony Waller spins a web of intrigue and danger on a Moscow film set. Marina Zudina’s portrayal of mute make-up artist Billy Hughes is central to the film's story. Her silent observation of a crime she was never supposed to witness shatters her world, pulling us into her eerie silence filled with secrets.

Imagine a typical day on a film set of a slasher film in Moscow turning into an unexpected thriller. Under Waller's direction, the set becomes a crossroads where energy clashes with stoicism, the perfect backdrop for a story that explores the profound power of silence in cinema. Billy’s life takes a dramatic turn when she accidentally uncovers a sinister side project by her colleagues, Arkadi (Igor Volkov) and Lyosha (Sergei Karlenkov.)

As the night unfolds, Billy finds herself entangled in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with the Russian mafia. The tension escalates when they mistakenly believe she holds an item with critical information against them. The following chase sequences are thrilling—they showcase Waller's ability to blend classic suspense with “modern” twists, making MUTE WITNESS a unique blend of past and present thriller elements.

The cinematography and editing in MUTE WITNESS stand out by paying homage to the thriller genre's greats while infusing a gritty edge that’s all too real. The film's look and feel contribute to the atmosphere, ratcheting up the tension as Billy navigates her world amidst growing chaos.

The film also delves into the dynamics of voyeurism and surveillance, highlighting Billy's unique challenges. Her struggle to communicate the horror of what she has seen adds a layer of frustration and helplessness to her character, making her journey all the more compelling.

Supporting performances from Fay Ripley as Karen and Evan Richards as Andy deepen the plot, portraying a film crew that inadvertently becomes part of a criminal saga. Alec Guinness's portrayal of The Reaper (from footage filmed a decade before the rest of the film, in his last role) adds a chilling layer to the narrative, emphasizing the murky intersection between filmmaking and real-life criminality.

While MUTE WITNESS races forward with a compelling narrative pace, it occasionally stumbles with plot points that stretch believability and characters that could have been fleshed out further. Wilbert Hirsch's haunting musical score enhanced the film's chilling and thought-provoking atmosphere.

The conclusion of MUTE WITNESS leaves viewers in a reflective mood, questioning the lines between fiction and reality as depicted in the film. This ambiguity enriches the film, offering both a critique of the filmmaking process and a nod to the art of storytelling.

MUTE WITNESS goes beyond being just a thriller. It is an intense exploration of the impact of silence in extreme situations and its profound implications on human psychology. This film battles with its suspenseful narrative and challenges viewers to reflect on how reality is often distorted through the cinematic lens. Anthony Waller’s direction ensures that MUTE WITNESS is an essential watch for those intrigued by the evolution of thrillers and their significance in contemporary storytelling, blending nerve-wracking excitement with deep, engaging themes.

Bonus Materials
4K restoration approved by director Anthony Waller
4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in HDR10
Restored original lossless stereo soundtrack
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new audio commentary by writer/director Anthony Waller
Brand new audio commentary with production designer Matthias Kammermeier and composer Wilbert Hirsch, moderated by critic Lee Gambin
The Silent Death, a brand new visual essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, examining Mute Witness and its relationship with snuff films
The Wizard Behind the Curtain, a brand new visual essay by author and critic Chris Alexander, exploring the phenomenon of the film-within-a-film
Original “Snuff Movie” presentation, produced to generate interest from investors and distributors, featuring interviews with Anthony Waller and members of the creative team
Original location scouting footage
Original footage with Alec Guinness filmed a decade prior to the rest of Mute Witness.
Teaser trailer
Trailer
Image Gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais
Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michelle Kisner

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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