Blessed are the eyes that catch divine whispering ...

Meer over het boek

Many films feature moments of silence, often lasting just a few seconds. Historically, 'silent films' were not truly silent; they typically included music or spoken dialogue. Modern examples, like Into Great Silence, showcase a different kind of silence, where the sounds of a monastery create a profound stillness, despite the absence of spoken words. A sound director notes that film is never completely silent, prompting an exploration of what silence truly means in this medium. Is it solely about sound, or does it also encompass imagery? Religious texts, such as 1 Kings 19:11-12, imply that silence can be a divine presence, as exemplified by Elijah’s experience of a hovering silence. Contributors to this volume discuss various interpretations of silence, including repressive, transforming, ominous, transcending, and mystic forms. The work examines silence in film, both as a phenomenon and in a figurative sense, while also addressing visual silence—the stillness evoked by images. This volume aligns with a growing trend in film and religion studies, emphasizing the importance of sound alongside visual elements in understanding silence.