Mute Witness

I usually keep my expectations low when I am about to watch a European co-production, but this time I was pleasantly surprised. The horrifying plot and the uncanny and threatening atmosphere - you can almost feel the cold - simply glue you to the screen.

The mute witness is Billy, an American make-up artist who is working with an international film crew in Moscow. One of the crew is Billy's sister Karen who translates Billy's sign language. One evening Billy accidentally witnesses the shooting of a scene for a snuff-film, in which a woman, who thinks she is participating in a normal porno film, is murdered. When Billy panicks and tries to get away from there, the director of the snuff-film catches sight of her. From now on her life is in extreme danger.

Russian actress Marina Sudina, who plays the girl whose screams no one can hear, has an expressive face, which is of key importance to the part. She is a modern 'scream queen', i. e. she is not a passive victim. To a large extent she can take care of herself in spite of her handicap.