Reflection of the Movie Silence (2016)

Reflection of the Movie Silence (2016)

Though the film Silence mostly draws its assertions from Endo’s novel 1966 novel of the same name, Scorsese has managed to highlight various aspects that revolve around the teachings of Christianity as reflected in the Bible and the theological teachings as espoused in the book Mere Christianity. To a great extent, the undertakings in the move reflect various tenets that have been immensely highlighted in the book Mere Christianity. Lewis (2001) lists the three theological virtues like charity, hope, and faith as espoused by several characters in the film. These virtues are essential in giving every Christian the identity and defines them based on their capability to live as per the Christian doctrine. In that regard, individual characters such as Father Rodriquez, Father Ferreira, Father Garupe and Kichijiro exhibits the virtues mentioned above in different ways. Being a devote Christians converted into the ways of Christianity despite the persecution from the Japanese society, the four characters, to a great extent exuded such virtues. The following are ways in which the three virtues of charity, hope and faith manifest themselves through the selected characters in the film. Such attributes make the film relatively distinctive and appeal to the Christian faith.

The film Silence epitomizes faith through the three Catholic priests from Portugal. Charity involves giving a helping hand through engagement in humanitarian works that are aimed at reaching out to the targeted people despite the risks involved. Based on the fact that the missionary fathers travelled from Portugal to spread the gospel could be perceived as an act of charity in the eyes of Christian teaching. As opposed to other denominations, the catholic faith does not permit the priests to engage in marriage acts nor get intimate. Accepting such prohibition to pursue priesthood and subsequently preaching to people in a hostile environment without expecting any material gain in return is indeed an act of charity. Further, when the Fathers Rodriquez and Garupe move to the village of Tomogi, they continue ministering to people in the depilated conditions on the underground. The priest risk it all to preach the teachings of Christianity without expecting any material gains or fame. Therefore, such an initiative points out to the act of charity among the priests as well as the villagers who welcomed them and shielded them from the Samurais.

Again, the virtue of charity is espoused in Kichijiro, a drunkard who resorts to alcohol after the Japanese rulers massacre his family. Though he knew the dangers involved in helping the Inquisitors, he helps them anyway. Though he, later on, betrayed them to the Samurai, he welcomed them, introduced them to the people and embarked on a journey to help them find Father Ferreira ( Scorsese & De Fina, 2016). Despite the impending death that awaited him when caught, Kichijiro exercised Christian teachings and exuded the virtue of charity through putting his life on the line in a bid to help the individual priests. Such a desire to sacrifice self and engage in a non-profitable and dangerous expedition shows the selfless act that he espoused, hence the virtue of charity.

On the other hand, hope is another virtue that is evident in the entire film. Like the book Mere Christianity holds, hope is the sense of optimism that something positive will happen regardless of the bleak condition that plagues the current situation. In the film, in the beginning, Father Ferreira exuded hope that the people of Japan would change to the Christian faith and heed to the teachings of Christianity ( Scorsese & De Fina, 2016). Though the hope was nourished at the beginning of his teachings as droves of people were getting converted to Christianity, the hope got replaced with pessimism and a resigned feeling after getting subjected to torture, compelling to apostate. Again, when Father Rodriguez and Father Garupe embarked on a journey from Portugal to witness whether Father Ferreira has renounced the Christian faith, they were motivated by the hope of finding him alive. In the wake of the torture that got perpetrated against the Christians and the new converts in Japan, their hope leads them to Japan in 1669 ( Scorsese & De Fina, 2016). The same hope of finding Father Ferreira is what guided them through the years of the expedition from Portugal to Japan, taking several years travelling on the sea. Though Father Ferreira showed pessimism concerning Christianity thriving in Japan, Father Rodriguez remained hopeful that the religion would succeed in the region even if they were facing death.

Finally, the virtue of faith varies between multiple characters in the stories. While the like of Fathers Rodrigues and Garupe typify strong Christian faith, Kichijiro and Father Ferreira espouse characters with a wavy faith that could do anything to avoid death. The three priests proclaim the Christian faith through the catholic denomination and remain committed to their faith despite the torture and the persecution of the Christians and the converts.  Scorsese & De Fina (2016) portray the sufferings of the Christians in a significant magnitude just as he also highlights their resilience towards such pains. The people draw their resilience from the strong Christian faith that continues to anchor them. In a particular scene, Rodriguez notes that “though a man may apostatize in both the above ways, he may remain united to God by faith” ( Scorsese & De Fina, 2016). Based on this assertion, it is evident that a fellow being could induce the rejection of faith, but in a real sense, one’s faith remains strong in God. Thus, faith, hope, and charity epitomize the film Silence.

Reference

Lewis, C. S. (2001). Mere Christianity. Zondervan.

 Scorsese, M. & De Fina, B.  (2016). Silence. US. Paramount Pictures.