”The Visual Silence” by Mia Engberg

Goal & purpose

The project aims to examine and develop a film aesthetic that challenges the voyeuristic tradition of cinema. The study will examine a cinematic form that is situated in the gap between what is spoken and what is perceived, between the impression of the ear and that of the eye, thereby searching for a space in the interpretation that allows the spectators to create their own inner images. The cinematic form approaches the darkness of the cinema theatre and the silence of the spectator. “The Visual Silence” examines the possibility of a non-voyeuristic approach through the deconstruction of the image.

Research questions

Is it possible to create a cinematic story that resists the voyeuristic, objectifying gaze? How has visual silence been used in feminist, postcolonial and queer film aesthetics? How would a contemporary new visual language be developed out of this tradition? When does the spectator transform from a passive consumer to an active creator?

Outcome

The Visual Silence study was carried out in a film project that resulted in the experimental feature length film Lucky One.

The film was presented for the first time in the Arts & Commonalities conference 2019 and premiered at Gothenburg Film festival the same year where it was awarded with the Eurimages Audentia award.

The project will be presented in a book - The Visual Silence, expected publication date January 2020.