Written and directed by Lorena Villarreal, Silencio is based on her fascination with (la Zona del Silencio) the Zone of Silence in Mexico. It provides supernatural tales time and time again. “We really wanted to focus on the mysteries of all these mysterious occurrences that had no explanations,” says Villarreal. “We did a lot of research, interviewed multiple sources, including certified experts to long-living locals.”
Villarreal story strays from the facts for dramatic storytelling, but she wanted to stay true to the overall facts and tales of the area. Even though there are unknown supernatural elements in the film, the team could preserve the essence of the Zone of Silence. “We are all naturally curious about these types of places—the Pyramids of Giza, the Bermuda Triangle, and finally, the world will learn about the Zone of Silence, which lies on the same parallel line to both of these great areas,” says Villarreal.
The type of odd occurrences in the Zone of Silence, Mexico are Instruments and communications failures, as well as strange happenings, which tie into the many stories of the area, just like Bermuda and the Pyramids, but few people know it exists. “Audiences will be in awe of the Zone of Silence, but they will also be drawn to a story about family and hard choices. Silencio revolves around the life of Ana and her family and how this powerful stone found in the Zone of Silence will affect their future. It is about love, courage and the unknown,” says Villarreal. “The central question Silencio asks is, “How far would you go to save the ones you love?”
Producer Denisse Chapa agrees with Villarreal. “It was important for us to film part of the movie on-site, in the actual location of the Zone of Silence. We were told about some magnetism in the area that may cause all sorts of mechanical failures of equipment, cars, rockets. We were nervous about the footage being affected.”
Chapa explained, “When the team tried to use drones for aerial shots, they experienced some of the local oddities they had heard tales of. The drone got lost, and we did not find it until the next day. So, we experienced some of the mysteries firsthand.”
Ana, played by Melina Matthews, is a young psychiatrist and single mother who lives a quiet life, taking care of her young son and grandfather, Dr. James White, played by John Noble, a world-renowned scientist who now struggles with dementia.
The backstory began in 1970, Dr. White, with the help of his apprentice, Peter, played by Nic Jackman (Rupert Graves plays the older Peter), found a very powerful stone in the Zone of Silence, Mexico, a mysterious place where inexplicable things happen and are often referred to as the “Bermuda Triangle” of Mexico.
After uncovering the stone’s powers, Ana’s grandfather hid it to prevent the terrible consequences it could unleash if it fell into the wrong hands.
Someone now knows the stone’s power and believes it is worth killing for. Ana’s life turns upside down when she realizes she has to find the stone to save her son’s life.
The cast includes Michel Chauvet and Hoze Meléndez.
