Synopsis
Political correctness, a gentle attitude, appropriate manners and kindness. Such social expressions are a common language used everywhere in the world. The same applies to Bjørn and Louise and their daughter, Agnes, who go on family trip to Tuscany. When a Dutch family, Patrick, Karin and their son, Abel, invite them to their house after the holiday, they worry that declining the invitation might be rude. Soon after Bjørn’s family arrive at Patrick’s country home, they feel uncomfortable with every move from Patrick’s family, which creates tension between the two families, resulting in mistrust of and hostility. Speak No Evil, by Christian Tafdrup, wins a complete victory in the mind game with the viewer, reaching a pinnacle of tension and anxiety, unlike other films with a similar set-up. The ending seems a massive joke, as if it is breaking the present value system of the middle class, who have a lot to lose and so are the most anxious. (Jin PARK)