Silence

Silence

Year: 2016

Runtime: 161 min

Language: English

Director: Martin Scorsese

AdventureDramaHistory

During the 17th century in Japan, two Jesuit missionaries face immense danger under the strict Tokugawa shogunate, where Christianity is outlawed. They witness widespread persecution and suffering, struggling to reconcile their faith with the apparent silence of God in the face of such pain. One priest embarks on a perilous journey across the countryside, seeking answers and confronting the profound depths of despair and uncertainty.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Silence (2016)

Trace every key event in Silence (2016) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Prologue: Witnessing Torture

The film begins in 1633 with a chilling prologue where the young Jesuit priest Cristóvão Ferreira witnesses the brutal torture of Japanese converts. Despite his efforts to convert them to Christianity, he feels utterly powerless as the Japanese authorities conduct their horrific acts.

1633
2

News of Ferreira's Apostasy

Years later at St. Paul's College in Macau, Italian Jesuit Alessandro Valignano receives alarming news about Ferreira's supposed renunciation of faith under torture. This shocking revelation spurs two of his Portuguese pupils, Sebastião Rodrigues and Francisco Garupe, to embark on a daring mission to uncover the truth.

St. Paul's College, Macau
3

Journey to Japan

Rodrigues and Garupe are joined by Kichijiro, a fugitive fisherman from Japan. Together, they set off on a perilous journey across the sea, driven by disbelief and a desire to rescue Ferreira, unaware of the dangers that await them in Japan.

4

Arrival at Tomogi

Upon their arrival in the village of Tomogi, the priests are devastated to find that local Christian communities are forced underground. The reality of oppression hits them hard as they witness the merciless torture of villagers by the Inquisitor, leading to emotional turmoil.

Tomogi
5

Torture and Death

The priests bear witness to an unspeakable scene where villagers are strapped to wooden crosses, drowning as the tides rise. The memory of the subsequent cremation of bodies on a funeral pyre weighs heavily on Rodrigues and Garupe, igniting a sense of urgency in their mission.

Tomogi
6

Split Paths

Fearing further retribution from the shogunate due to their presence, the priests decide to split up. Garupe heads to Hirado Island, while Rodrigues ventures towards Goto Island, the last known residence of Ferreira, hoping to find answers and possibly rescue him.

7

Searching Goto Island

Rodrigues searches the ravaged Goto Island, grappling with a moral dilemma about whether resisting the demand to recant is worth the suffering it might cause others. His faith is challenged as he navigates through a landscape of despair and loss.

Goto Island
8

Betrayal by Kichijiro

During his search, Rodrigues encounters Kichijiro once again, only to be betrayed by him to the samurai. Captured and transported to Nagasaki, he joins other imprisoned Christians, marking a turning point in his harrowing journey.

Nagasaki
9

Tribunal and Meeting with Governor

Rodrigues finds himself in a tribunal, learning that Catholic beliefs are outlawed in Japan. He insists on meeting the Governor Inoue Masashige, who surprises him by presiding over his case, revealing the stark realities of oppression he faces.

Nagasaki
10

The Fumi-e

After being imprisoned again, Kichijiro confesses his betrayal and seeks Rodrigues' absolution. Under immense pressure, Rodrigues is coerced into stepping on a Fumi-e, a symbolic rejection of his faith intended to save him from torture.

Nagasaki
11

Garupe's Last Stand

Rodrigues witnesses Garupe and other prisoners being led to the shore, facing a grim fate unless Garupe renounces his faith. In a final act of courage, Garupe attempts to save another prisoner but tragically drowns, solidifying Rodrigues' despair.

Nagasaki
12

Meeting Ferreira

Rodrigues finally meets Ferreira, who reveals he also abandoned his faith. Ferreira argues that Christianity in Japan is futile, and this meeting forces Rodrigues to confront the meaning of belief and his own survival amidst suffering.

13

Final Renunciation

Haunted by the cries of suffering Christians, Rodrigues feels an inner voice urging him to forsake his convictions. Ultimately, he steps on the Fumi-e again, symbolizing his complete renunciation of faith in a desperate bid for survival.

14

Kichijiro's Return

Years after Ferreira's death, Kichijiro returns seeking absolution from Rodrigues. However, Rodrigues declines, having fully withdrawn from the priesthood, embodying his tragic transformation throughout the film.

15

Rodrigues' Death

In the end, Rodrigues passes away, holding onto the small crucifix given to him when he arrived in Japan. His body is cremated, representing the culmination of his journey with faith, betrayal, and the harsh realities of belief in a foreign land.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 03:07

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Silence Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Silence

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