NXNE: The Voice Of The Voiceless Review

The Voice Of The Voiceless (2013)

Cast: Janeva Adena Calderon Zentz, Kevin Tamayo, Ricky Powell
Director: Maximón Monihan
Country: USA
Genre: Drama
Official Site: Here

Editor’s Notes: The following review is part of our coverage of the North By Northeast Festival. For more information nxne.com and follow NXNE on Twitter at @nxne.

Directed by Maximon Monihan, La Voz De Los Silenciados is a silent (except for certain sound effects) film based on a true story. Olga, a deaf and a dumb girl, gets offered to be a part of a Christian school for the differently abled. Leaving her protective life she comes to the city all alone and gets tricked into a money making sham run by an old but powerful lady. How will Olga cope up with the harsh reality of life and fend for herself? Watch it to know.

Even though the film in itself didn’t keep me hooked exactly later on, I shall point that this method of filmmaking is only reminding us of the exciting times that lay ahead in our dynamic field.

The entire film is silent except for a rumbling noise that is heard by the deaf protagonist. There are also no dialogues. The fact that this film has been made in a way to let the audiences know how the protagonist feels and experiences the world around her is remarkable. Even though the film in itself didn’t keep me hooked exactly later on, I shall point that this method of filmmaking is only reminding us of the exciting times that lay ahead in our dynamic field.

Maybe because there were no dialogues, certain scenes are unclear for me, especially the end. Also there were various inconsistencies in the storyline that if I didn’t know this was a true story would have been hard to swallow. Couldn’t the young girl contact police after being let out so often in the day instead of buying food? Or couldn’t she simply runaway and go back? Or at least tell a stranger in the train about her plight? I wish I knew when and how the actual incidents had actually occurred because nothing else would probably explain why she was getting herself embroiled in the scheme when she probably had other options. The latter half of the story did show some spunk in the protagonist – but it didn’t last.

Acting seems artificial, and there is a lack of chemistry between the actors – which sometimes is very visible. Again, this was a wonderful attempt, interesting concept which can be worked upon. 

I also wish a little more care would have been taken for the framing, and the set, and the camera placement. Acting seems artificial, and there is a lack of chemistry between the actors – which sometimes is very visible. Again, this was a wonderful attempt, interesting concept which can be worked upon. The film is B/W, and at times the extreme harsh tones of black and white give a very unsettling feeling. The editing is also sharp and quick – movements have been quickened and the film is fast paced. All this combined with the rumbling sound has an eerie effect. Good acting of a defenceless naïve girl by Olga. The film is easy to comprehend, but at certain times seems repetitive (to probably establish her routine.) The sets also seem a little fake and dry in places – because of the harsh lighting.

The main actresses acted well though – the portrayal of a defenceless, naïve and slow girl was excellent – so much that it her dumbness at times really annoyed me and I wanted to shake her up and tell her do something. In all the film was an eye opener regarding the kind of horrific crimes that take place in the world and how innocent people are victimized.