The Silver Silhouette

The Silver Silhouette
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Oliviero Beneti
Screenplay by	Oliviero Beneti
Produced by	Natasha Muukalainen
Starring	Kirīsitoferi Morigani
Cinematography	Natasha Muukalainen
Edited by	Natasha Muukalainen
Release dates	May 6, 2023 (2023-05-06) (Orioni)
Running time	87 minutes
Country	Orioni
Language	Oharic
Budget	Φ25 thousand

The Silver Silhouette is a 2023 independent drama film directed by Oliviero Beneti and starring Kirīsitoferi Morigani. The film tells the story of an ageing war veteran, Jemisi, struggling to reconcile with his past. The film explores themes of personal reconciliation with one's past, generational wisdom, the transformative power of shared stories, resilience in the face of trauma, and the ability of the human spirit to find acceptance and undergo rebirth. The Silver Silhouette was released to critical acclaim and won the Best Picture award at the Andro Film Festival.

Plot

The Silver Silhouette tells the story of Jemisi, an ageing Orinese war veteran living in a quiet hamlet on the outskirts of O'polis, Orioni. Jemisi was a relic of a time past, burdened by memories of war and the gnawing pain of regret.

1. In the first act, we meet Jemisi in his everyday life, performing rituals of normalcy while wrestling with haunting memories. He interacts with the village children, including a particularly curious boy, Teferi. The camera follows Jemisi as he moves through the town, every person a gentle reminder of someone he once knew.
2. In the second act, Teferi stumbles upon Jemisi's old military tags and photographs, leading to Jemisi sharing stories from his past, tales of courage and camaraderie, loss and despair. Here we see the pain etched into Jemisi's face as he revisits old wounds, and Teferi's growing understanding of the old man's sorrow.
3. The third act sees a crisis when Teferi goes missing, and Jemisi, driven by a surge of paternal affection, sets out to find him. His journey leads him to confront past traumas head-on, symbolized by a long-abandoned battlefield. Here, Jemisi utters the memorable quote, “Time is the fire in which we burn, but also the balm that heals.” Upon finding Teferi, Jemisi is forced to act, to lead once more, mirroring his war days. In doing so, he confronts and ultimately accepts his past, symbolising his rebirth. He returns, with Teferi, to a village that sees him in a new light.
4. The fourth act is the resolution, with Jemisi finally achieving a sense of peace. He once again meets the gaze of his old comrades in their photographs without flinching, hinting at his reconciliation with his past. The last line of the film, spoken by Jemisi, resonates with audiences long after the credits roll: “We are more than the sum of our past; we are the stories we tell, the lives we touch, the love we give.”

The story, punctuated with flashbacks, leverages Oliviero Beneti's directorial ability to juggle timelines seamlessly and Natasha Muukalainen's knack for capturing poignant moments with her lens. It does not shy away from the raw depiction of Jemisi's internal struggle, nor does it gloss over his moments of growth and acceptance, resulting in a narrative that is as real as it is impactful.

Cast

The interaction between Jemisi and Teferi forms the core of the narrative, illustrating a powerful dynamic of friendship, mentorship, and shared growth. Together, they provide an in-depth exploration of the film's central themes: the human capacity for resilience, the power of shared stories, and the transformative nature of acceptance and rebirth.

• Kirīsitoferi Morigani as Jemisi is an ageing war veteran, who resides in a quiet hamlet on the outskirts of O'polis, Orioni. Throughout the film, Jemisi is depicted as a man burdened by the weight of his past. He is characterised by his internal struggle to reconcile with memories of war, and the haunting sense of regret that shadows his existence. Despite his internal turmoil, Jemisi is seen as a respected figure within his community, a link to their past, and a mentor to the younger generation.
• Samuel Tadesse as Teferi, a curious and observant child from Jemisi's village, who forms a unique bond with the old veteran. Through the character of Teferi, the film explores themes of innocence, discovery, and the transmission of generational wisdom. His innocent curiosity about Jemisi's past experiences serves as a catalyst for Jemisi's journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Despite his youth, Teferi’s character carries a weight of maturity, acting as the mirror through which Jemisi confronts his past.

Production

The production of The Silver Silhouette was initiated by a group of students from the Andro Academy of Fine Arts with the intention of submitting their work to the Andro Film Festival and Novygrad Film Festival. The script, written by Oliviero Beneti and his team, was finalised in early January 2023. Pre-production involved rigorous script readings and revisions, character development workshops, and location scouting. The main characters, Jemisi and Teferi, were respectively portrayed by student actors Kirīsitoferi Morigani and Samuel Tadesse.

Muukalainen used an old Arri Alexa digital movie camera for much of her shots.

Principal photography began in late-January in various locations near the academy that had been meticulously selected to mimic the quiet hamlet on the outskirts of O'polis, Orioni, where the story was set. Cinematographer Natasha Muukalainen faced the challenge of shooting on a modest budget, which required innovative strategies to capture the film's unique visual aesthetic. Her approach included utilising natural light and shooting during the 'golden hours' of the day, which added a rich, warm colour palette to the film.

Post-production commenced in mid-March, with the team editing the footage, refining the sound design, and adding the musical score. Given the film's themes of memory and time, special attention was paid to the film's transitions, with Oliviero Beneti meticulously overseeing the edit to ensure seamless movement between the present timeline and flashbacks. The film was completed in early June, just in time for its premiere at the Andro Film Festival.

Throughout the production, the team worked tirelessly, their efforts driven by a shared passion for storytelling and a commitment to cinematic craft. Despite the tight budget and schedule, The Silver Silhouette was praised for its high production values, strong performances, and compelling narrative, making it a standout submission for the Andro Film Festival.

Reception

The Silver Silhouette received widespread acclaim upon its premiere at the Andro Film Festival in June 2023. It was lauded for its compelling narrative, striking visual aesthetic, and strong performances, eventually winning the 'Best Picture' award at the festival. Oliviero Beneti received significant praise for his role in shaping 'The Silver Silhouette'. His meticulous approach to storytelling, coupled with his exceptional understanding of the narrative's thematic elements, contributed significantly to the film's success. Critics commended his deft handling of the film's timeline, seamlessly transitioning between the present and flashbacks, which showcased his profound directorial vision. Oliver's ability to draw out the best from his team and unite their individual strengths into a cohesive force was also a key factor in the film's high production values.

Critics hailed Kirīsitoferi Morigani's portrayal of Jemisi, with one review praising him as "a talented young man with eyes as ancient as the stars, portraying the weight of Jemisi's memories with a palpable intensity." His performance was noted for its depth and authenticity, bringing a sense of raw reality to the screen that deeply resonated with audiences.

Samuel Tadesse's portrayal of the character Teferi also garnered considerable praise. Critics acknowledged his performance as "beautifully brought to life" and highlighted his ability to carry the weight of his character with a commendable grace and maturity despite his young age. Tadesse's portrayal was noted for its authenticity, the natural curiosity he depicted, and the depth of understanding he brought to the role. His performance was widely considered to be an embodiment of the film's spirit, creating an unforgettable character that deeply resonated with audiences.

Natasha Muukalainen's cinematography was instrumental in creating the film's distinct visual aesthetic. Despite the challenges of working with a limited budget, her innovative use of natural light and keen eye for composition added a rich, warm colour palette to the film, enhancing the narrative's thematic depth. Natasha's work behind the lens was particularly praised for the way it captured key emotional moments in the film, turning ordinary scenes into visually enchanting sequences. Her contribution significantly heightened the overall cinematic experience of 'The Silver Silhouette', demonstrating her talent and potential in the field of cinematography.

The film's success at the Andro Film Festival led to its selection for the Novygrad Film Festival in Walneria, reinforcing its reputation as a standout piece of independent cinema. After the resounding success of 'The Silver Silhouette' at the Andro Film Festival, the talented trio graduated from the Andro Academy of Fine Arts with high distinction. Their remarkable achievements in their final year project not only earned them accolades within the academy but also marked the promising start of their professional careers in the film industry.