#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE SILENT TWINS”

Fresh off its Premere at Cannes, here’s a new Trailer for THE SILENT TWINS, based on a true story. Hoping this does the Festival Circuit further!!

Story:

THE SILENT TWINS is the astounding true story of twin sisters who only communicated with one another. As a result, they created a rich, fascinating world to escape the reality of their own lives. Based on the best-selling book The Silent Twins, the film stars Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrance.

Universal Pictures Canada and Focus Features release THE SILENT TWINS September 16, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Focus Features)

#CANNES22: “THE SILENT TWINS” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Director Agnieszka Smoczynska’s latest is based upon the Novel written by Marjorie Wallace about real-life Welsh twins June (Letitia Wright) and Jennifer Gibbons (Tamara Lawrence), who were part of the only Black family in their small town. They would only communicate with one other. Thus, causing the community to believe something was wrong with them. When they grew-up, they were caught vandalizing and sent to Broadmoor, an infamous Psychiatric Hospital, where they face the choice to separate and survive or die together.

Smoczynska begins with the twins in childhood. It’s clear from the get go that the two have their own language. She captures their free spirited childhood, while alone together, through them hosting their own radio show together. These moments are captured with vivid lighting that gives everything a dreamlike appearance. However, Smoczynska and Cinematographer Jakub Kijowski retract these light purples, pinks, blues and yellows fade once someone interrupts their privacy. This becomes increasingly more clear when June and Jennifer are torn apart from each other.

When we are introduced to them as teens, we are brought into the world of adolescent coming-of-age. Both desire to become Authors. When Jennifer receives rejection letters, the two decide they need to live a little outside their shelter. Therefore, leading them into young romance. They fall for the same boy and subsequently go on a vandalism spree. They are in the time of their lives when they are experimenting. Even if the decisions they make lead them to dangerous situations, we empathize with them.

In the Final Act, the twins end up at Broadmoor. It’s here that we see the extent of their bond. When they are separated from the other they become catatonic. It’s as if they can’t survive without the other. The Silent Twins is one of the most beautiful depictions of sibling connection on-screen. This is aided by the formidable performances from Wright and Gibbons. They have an effortless chemistry and really delve into these women. They let us get close enough to understanding these twins.

The Silent Twins is a beautiful story about the bond between June and Jennifer Gibbons. It examines themes of otherness and belonging while being a critique on psychiatric facilities such as the infamous Broadmoor. Additionally, it’s a love letter to the twins. Smoczynska and Screenwriter Andrea Seigel go further than simply adapting the Novel. They use the journals from June and Jennifer to give us a deeper understanding of them. Smoczynska’s creative directing style brings these journal entries cinematically to the screen through dazzling recreations.

The Silent Twins screens at Cannes ’22:

Tue, May 24 at 7:45 PM at SALLE DEBUSSY

Wed, May 25 at 11:30 AM at SALLE AGNÈS VARDA

Wed, May 25 at 3 PM at CINEUM AURORE

Thu, May 26 at 4:15 PM at CINEUM SCREEN X

#CANNES: 2022 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW

The 2022 Cannes Film Festival kicks-off Tuesday, May 18, 2022 and runs till Saturday, May 28, 2022. This will be our first official year at the Festival as our Amanda Gilmore will be on the French Riviera covering the Festival!

Returning to its traditional May slot, the Festival serves as a major precursor to what we might see Awards Season later this year. But timed perfectly, some huge Blockbusters like TOP GUN: MAVERICK and Baz Luhrmann‘s ELVIS will be getting their chance to premiere before the world. Many eyes will be on Openight Night film Michel Hazanavicius’ FINAL CUT, David Cronenberg’s Athens-filmed CRIMES OF THE FUTURE and Closing Night selection SHOWING UP from Director Kelly Reichardt.

Amanda previews for us her six-most eagerly-anticipated titles of the Festival.

CRIMES OF THE FUTURE

Canada’s David Cronenberg is finally back at Cannes and is bringing Kristen Stewart, Lea Seydoux and Viggo Mortensen with him. Crimes of the Future takes place in the not-so-distant future where the human species adapts to a synthetic environment, the body undergoes new transformations and mutations. In a recent interview, Cronenberg said he’s expecting walkouts at the Festival screenings. This only makes us want to see it more! It will compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or.

DECISION TO LEAVE

After spending some time making television, Director Park Chan-wook has returned to Film with Decision to Leave. It’s a mystery thriller that follows a detective who falls for a widow after she becomes the prime suspect in his latest murder investigation. We are fans of Chan-wook’s prior films such as Oldboy and Stoker. We can’t wait to see what he’s got up his sleeve for Decision to Leave. It will compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or.

ELVIS

We have been waiting for this biopic of Elvis Presley for some time now after production was halted at the beginning of the pandemic. Finally, it will be having its world premiere at the Festival and we couldn’t be happier. Baz Luhrmann is bringing his dazzling direction to the Rock Legend’s life and he’s assembled quite the cast. We can’t wait to see Austin Butler become the man himself and Tom Hanks’ portrayal of his manager Colonel Tom Parker.

THE SILENT TWINS

This Film tells the true, eerie story of twin sisters who were entirely silent, communicating only with each other as children. As teenagers, they became obsessed with writing fiction, then with teenage boys, and finally, with crime. It’s Written and Directed by Agnieszka Smoczynska and stars Letitia Wright as both sisters. It will screen in-competition for the Un Certain Regard Award.

THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING

Writer-Director George Miller is returning to Cannes for this Fantasy Romance starring Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton. It follows a lonely scholar on a trip to Istanbul who discovers a Djinn who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom. What she wants is love, but can and should he grant it to her? We can’t wait to see what epic journey Miller brings us on this time.

WAR PONY

Actress Riley Keogh is making her Director Debut with War Pony. She Co-Directs with Gina Gammell and the Film is based on real events. It follows the interlocking stories of three Lakota men living on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The three tales explore the concept of belonging: a child belonging to a family, a man belonging to “America,” and an elder belonging to his Tribe. It will screen in-competition for the Un Certain Regard Award.

Stay tuned for our coverage and bookmark this link for updated Reviews and coverage!