The Silence
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Off the west coast of Alaska, in a remote and unforgiving place, is
the tiny village of Saint Michael. Yup'ik Alaskans have thrived here
for centuries. In winter, kids played tag on floating blocks of ice
and men hunted whales, seals, and caribou. Families survived by
their spiritual connection to nature and their reliance on one another.
In many ways, it was a paradise for kids.
Forty years ago that all changed when the monsters came to town.
The Catholic Church was quietly sending their pedophile priests
to remote regions of Alaska. The Church denies this but the staggering
number of cases supports the claim. In Saint Michael, nearly all
the boys and girls in the village were molested by Jesuit priests
and deacons.
In the feature film The Silence, three people, Ben, Packy
and Rena come forward to share their stories. They describe rape,
murder, family betrayals, and shocking cover-ups.When confronted
with the reality of what happened, the village and the church demanded
silence, a paralyzing secrecy that continues to this day.
Rena, Ben, and Packy want to shatter this silence. They plan to
call the village to a talking circle. Lead by a Yup'ik shaman, this
ancient Native custom encourages each person to hold the talking
stick. The courage of the victims to tell their story and the courage
of the community to listen might inspire everyone to speak. Their
choice will determine how the future of this resilient people will
unfold. Silence has lead only to suffering. Healing begins with words.
Running Time 5:11
| Tom Curran |
Producer, Director,
Director of Photography
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| Michael Bovee |
Producer, Director
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| Eric Finke |
Sample Editor |
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