Film: Question of Silence (1982)

This Dutch film is about three ordinary women who are arrested for the murder of a male shop owner of a women’s clothing store. The man catches one of the women shop-lifting and the two other women, all complete strangers to each other, take a stand against the protesting man. Together they beat him to death, especially targeting the victim’s abdomen and genitalia. Bystanders in the shop, also female, look on and do nothing to stop the crime. While the male prosecutor and judges assume these women to be insane, a female psychiatrist determines the crime was an expression of rage and reaction to female suppression in a patriarchal society.  

The film depicts the atmosphere leading to the shop owner’s murder: repression and sexual harassment of women in the workplace, women being excluded or silenced during intellectual conversations, and the emphasis society places on marriage and a woman’s role as wife and mother. Question of Silence also explores female sexuality and prostitution. The end scene portrays a poignant moment of female solidarity.

This overtly feminist film lacks finesse and subtlety. Although it offers an intelligent and intriguing analysis of society, Question of Silence is somewhat boring to watch. The cinematography is poor, the shots uncreative and far too long, and the eerie electronic music laughable. The film’s message is its most impressive element.