God again.
Our God, their God, no God at all.
And there has rarely been a time throughout the entire length and breadth of human history when there was not one or another conflict about pinning down precisely what one was obligated to believe about God.
Here we get to probe the insights of Martin Scorsese. His take on it. Though the context is a rather strange one. Two Christian missionaries of the Catholic faith [Jesuit priests from Portugal] travel to Japan in search of their “mentor”. But at a time [the 17th century] when Christianity has been outlawed there. To practice it is forbidden. And very dangerous.
And given that today only about 1% of Japanese people call themselves Christians, it was never to really catch on. They have their own religious narratives instead. But, perhaps, this film offers an explanation for that.
Yes, another complex exploration into the motivation of those who are either impaled by religion or are intent on impaling others. The things that men will do in the name of God. And the mindboggling suffering that is rationalized in His name.
Still, we come away understanding how in the absence of God it may well be even worse. And we are, after all, forever burdened with the reasons that Gods are believed in at all. Also, the part where people believe in God because without Him, what else is there? The fear, the suffering, the uncertainty, the mystery. They don’t go away. Or, as Martin Scorsese intimated, Silence is about “the necessity of belief fighting the voice of experience”.
You watch films like this and you think, “that was back then, right?” Then you ponder how it might be related to the God/religious narratives/conflicts around today"? Some things change, sure, but at rock bottom nothing really changes at all. Why? Because the questions remain the same: how to behave on this side of the grave in order to attain that which you want to be true on the other side of it. That enormous gap between those who see religious faith as basically the mother of all self-delusions and those who feel it – believe it – down to the bone.
So: Are these men fools? In any event, what always counts in matters such as this is not what is true but what you believe is true. And that is the case because it’s always with respect to what you believe is true that will motivate your behaviors. At least until you make contact with those who believe that something else is true instead.
Trample on Christ or it’s the pit. What would you do?
IMDb
[b]According to Liam Neeson, director Martin Scorsese is “intimidating” on the set and “he requires absolute silence…if he hears one tiny sound, it shatters it for him.”
Adam Driver lost fifty pounds for the role; thirty before filming, and twenty during filming.
The story is based on historical facts, but while keeping the character name of the hero’s mentor Father Ferreira, who was an actual historical figure, author Shusaku Endo changed the nationality of hero, who historically was an Italian called Giuseppe Cara to Portuguese, thus making him the same nationality as Ferreira, and gave him the fictional name of Sebastian Rodrigo (in the English translation, translated as Rodrigues).[/b]
trivia at IMDb: imdb.com/title/tt0490215/tri … =ttqu_sa_1
at wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silence_(2016_film
trailer: youtu.be/IqrgxZLd_gE
SILENCE [2016]
Written in part and directed by Martin Scorsese
[b]Ferreira [voiceover]: They use ladles filled with holes. So the drops would come out slowly, and the pain would be prolonged. Each small splash of the water was like a burning coal.
…
Ferreira [voiceover]: The Governor of Nagasaki took four friars, and one of our own society to Un-sen. There are hotsprings there. The Japanese call them “hells”. Partly, I think, in mockery, and partly, I must tell you, in truth. The officials told our Padres to abandon God and the gospel of his love. But they not only refused to apostatize, they asked to be tortured. So they could demonstrate the strength of their faith and the presence of God within them. Some remained on the mountain, for 33 days.[/b]
Courage. Is that what it is? Or, rather, is that all it is?
[b]Garupe: We must go find Father Ferreira.
Valignano: I cannot allow that.
Garupe: How can we abandon our mission?
Valignano: Your mission, Father Garupe, was to find news Ferreira, you have found it.
Garupe: Excuse me Father, but this letter relates the most terrible story, but it says nothing of Ferreira himself. Whatever happened to him is still unknown. All that we know of his fate, is this one slander. Permit me, Father Valignano, but I believe our mission still stands.
Valignano: Do you know how many Christians, the authorities executed in Shinaba? Thousands, tens of thousands. Most of them beheaded. No, it’s far too dangerous for you.
Rodrigues: Yes, but Father, how can we neglect the man who nurtured us in faith? He shapes the world for us.
Garupe: And even if the slander should be true Father Ferreira is damned.
Rodrigues: Yes. We have no choice but to save his soul.
…
Valignano:: The moment you set foot in that country, you step into high danger. You will be the last two priests to go. An army of two.
…
Rodrigues [voiceover]: Garupe and I had absolutely no luggage to bring to Japan. Except our own hearts. And during the calm and storm of the voyage I reflected upon the 20 years which has passed since the persecution has broken out. The black soil of Japan is filled with the wailing of so many Christians. The red blood of priests has flowed profusely. The walls of churches have fallen down. We have committed our lives to this man. Jesus entrusted more.
…
Rodrigues: Is it only here that there is such faith or in other villages too?
Villager [who is a Christian]: We do not know about other villages. We never go there. Other villages are so dangerous. You do not know who to trust. Everyone fears the Inquisitor, Inoue Sama. Inform on Christian, and they give you 100 pieces of silver. 200 for a Christian brother and for priest 300.
Rodrigues: We must go to the other villages. You must let them know that priests are here again. And we are here in Japan again. It would be good.[/b]
Is their fate sealed?
[b]Rodrigues [voiceover]: I was overwhelmed by the love I felt from these people. Even though their faces couldn’t show it. Long years of secrecy, have made their faces into masks. Why do they have to suffer so much? Why did God make them to bear such a burden?
…
Rodrigues [voiceover]: We heard their confessions all night. Even though we could not always be sure what was being confessed. And now Christianity brought love. The dignity for the first time of being treated like God’s creatures, not animals. And the promise that all their suffering would not end in nothingness. But in salvation.
…
Rodrigues [voiceover]: The fear I felt on the journey faded away because the joy which greeted me was almost as great as my own. Even the sight of Kichijiro was somehow welcome. I thanked God for bringing me here. On that day, the faithful received fresh hope. And I was renewed. And they came to me. Not only from Goto, for the Christians made their way through the mountains, from other villages. I felt God himself was so near. Their lives here were so hard. They live like beasts and die like beasts. But Christ did not die for the good and beautiful. That is easy enough. The hard thing is to die for the miserable and corrupt. But here I knew I was one of them and I shared the hunger of their spirit.
…
Rodrigues [voiceover]: I worry, they value these poor signs of faith more than faith itself. But how can we deny them?
…
Rodrigues: You did not take the rosary.
Kichijiro: I did not deserve it.
Rodrigues: Why? Because you denied God?
Kichijiro: Yes. But only to live. My whole family, the Inquisitor wanted us to give up our faith. Stomp on Jesus with our foot. Just once. But they would not. But…I did.[/b]
Then he watches his entire family being burned alive.
[b]Mokichi: Padre. But Padre? If we are forced to trample on the Lord, on the fumie…
Garupe: You must pray for courage, Mokichi.
Mokichi: But if we do not do what they want, there can be danger for everyone in the village. They can be put in prison. Taken away forever. What should we do?
Rodrigues: Trample. Trample. It’s alright to trample.
Garupe: What are you saying? You can’t! Mokichi. You can’t…
…
Inquisitor [bringing out a cross of the crucified Christ]: Let’s try this another way. Spit on this and then say your so-called Blessed Virgin Mary is a whore.
…
Rodrigues [voiceover]: It took Mokichi four days to die. At the end he sang a hymn. His voice was the only sound. The people of the village, who would gather on the beach, were always silent. The people were watched closely, so the bodies could not be given a Christian burial. Mokichi’s body was so heavy with water it turned the flames to smoke. Before it finally caught fire. Any bones that remained were scattered in the ocean, so they could not be venerated. Father Valignano, you will say that their death is not meaningless. Surely, God heard their prayers as they died. But did He hear their screams? How can I explain His silence to these people, who have endured so much? I need all my strength to understand it myself.
…
Rodrigues [voiceover]: What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What will I do for Christ? I feel so tempted. I feel so tempted to despair. I’m afraid. The wait of Your silence is terrible. I pray but I’m lost. Or am I just praying to nothing? Nothing. Because You’re not there.
…
Kichijiro [to Rodrigues]: I am like you. I have nowhere else to go. Where is the place for a weak man in a world like this?
…
Monica (Haru): But Padre? Our Father, Padre Juan, said if we die, we will go to Paraiso?
Rodrigues: Paradise. Yes, that’s right.
Monica (Haru): Isn’t it good to die then? Paraiso is so much better than here. No one hungry. Never sick. No taxes, no hard work.
Rodrigues: Yes, of course. Padre Juan was right, there is no hard work in Paraiso. No work at all. There are no taxes. There is no suffering. We all will be united with God. There will be no pain.
…
Inoue: It all depends on you. Whether they are set free. If you say just one single word. Show them. Deny your faith.
Rodrigues: So what if I refuse, you kill me? The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.
…
Interpreter: We have our own religion, Padre. Pity you did not notice it.
Rodrigues: No, no. We just think a different way.
Interpreter: True. You believe our Buddhas are only men. Just human beings.
Rodrigues: Even a Buddha dies. Like all men, he is not the Creator!
Interpreter: You are ignorant! Padre, only a Christian would see Buddha simply as a man. Our Buddha is a being, which men can become. Something greater than himself. If he can overcome all his illusions. But you cling to your illusions and call them faith.
Rodrigues: No, you don’t understand. If any man follows God’s commandments. Then he can live a peaceful and joyous life!
Interpreter: I do! I do understand. Padre, it is perfectly simple! “Korobu”. Have you heard that word? It means fall down. Surrender. Give up the faith, apostatize, as you say. Do it. If you don’t apostatize the prisoners will be hung over the pit. Until you do, your life’s bleeding away, drop by drop. Some last for days, some do not. They die.
…
Interpreter: Ferreira? Did you know him?
Rodrigues: I’ve heard of him.
Interpreter: No doubt, he’s well-known all over Japan now. The Priest with a Japanese name and a Japanese wife.
Rodrigues: I don’t believe it.
Interpreter: You can ask anyone. People in Nagasaki point him out and marvel. He is held in high esteem now. Which is why, I believe he came here in the first place.
…
Rodrigues [voiceover]: I thought that martyrdom would be my salvation. Please, please, God, do not let it be my shame.
…
The Inquisitor [through the interpreter]: Padre, the Christian doctrine you bring with you, may be true in Spain and Portugal. But we have studied it carefully. So devotedly over much time. We find it is of no use and no value in Japan. We have concluded that it is a danger.
Rodrigues: But we believe, we have brought you the truth. And the truth is universal. It’s common to all countries, at all times. That’s why we call it the truth. If a doctrine weren’t as true here in Japan, as it is in Portugal then we couldn’t call it the truth.
The Inquisiter: I see that you do not work with your hands, Father. But everyone knows a tree which flourishes in one kind of earth may decay and die in another. It is the same with the tree of Christianity. The leaves decay here. The buds die.
Rodrigues: It is not the soil that has killed the buds. There were 300,000 Christians here in Japan, before the soil was…
Inquisitor: Yes?
Rodrigues: …poisoned.
…
The Inquisitor: Padre, your missionaries do not seem to know Japan!
Rodrigues: And you, Honorable Inquisitor, do not seem to know Christianity.
The Inquisitor: There are those who think of your religion as a curse. I do not. I see it. In another way, but still dangerous.
…
Interpreter: We are waiting for someone today. Inoue Sama wants you to meet him. He will be here any moment. He’s Portuguese, like yourself. You should have a lot to talk about.
Rodrigues: Ferreira?[/b]
Not this time.
[b]Rodrigues: Tell me. Does he know I’m here?
Interpreter: I cannot tell you. I must not speak about the business of the Inquisitor’s office. But, I can tell you, he knows you are alive. Because we told him you apostatized. Now, do you know what they use those mats for?
…
Interpreter [after Garupe, Monica and others are drowned]: Terrible business. Terrible. No matter how many times you see it. Think about the suffering you have inflicted on these people! Just because of your selfish dream of a Christian Japan. Your Deus punishes Japan through you!
…
Rodrigues: Dear God, dear God, why have you forsaken me? Why have you forsaken me? I was your son. Your son who went up to the cross. You were even to him. Your silent, cold son. Oh, no, no. Ludicrous. Ludicrous. Stupid. Stupid…He’s not going to answer. He’s not going to answer.
…
Interpreter: Have you guessed who’s coming?
[Rodriguous beaten down shakes his head]
Interpreter: This is Inoue Sama’s command. And the other’s wish.
…
Rodrigues: Father. Father Ferreira. I’ve given up. So long since we have met. Would you say something?
Ferreira: What…what can I say to you on such an occasion?
Rodrigues: If you have any pity for me, say something. Have you, have you… have you been living here for long?
Ferreira: About a year, I suppose.
Rodrigues: What is this place?
Ferreira: A temple. Where I study.
Rodrigues: I’m in…I’m in a sort of prison. Somewhere in Nagasaki, I don’t know precisely where.
Ferreira: I know it.
Rodrigues: You were my teacher. You were my confessor, my teacher.
Ferreira: I’m much the same. Do I really seem so different?
Interpreter: The honorable Sawano spends his days writing about astronomy.
Ferreira: Inoue Sama’s order. There is great knowledge here, but in Medicine and Astronomy much remains to be taught. I’m happy to help. It is fulfilling to finally be of use in this country.
Interpreter: Mention the other book you are writing. It is called Kengiroku. It shows the errors of Christianity and refutes the teachings of Deus. Do you understand the title?
Ferreira: It means deceit disclosed or unmasked, if you prefer a more florid reading. His Lordship the Inquisitor, he praises it, he says it is well done.
Interpreter: It’s the truth.
Rodrigues: You use the truth like poison!
Interpreter: What a funny thing for a priest to say.
Rodrigues: This is cruel. Cruel! Worse than any torture to twist a man’s soul in this way.
Interpreter: I think you must speaking of yourself, not of Sawano Chuan.
Rodrigues: Who?
Interpreter: Him. He is Ferreira only to you. He is Sawano Chuan now. A man who has found peace. Let him guide you along his path. The path of mercy. That means only your abandoned self, no one should interfere with another man’s spirit. To help others, is the way of the Buddha. And your way too, the two religions are the same in this. It is not necessary to win anyone over to one side or another, when there is so much to share.
…
Ferreira: I’ve been told to get you to abandon the faith.
[he points to a scar on his neck]
Ferreira: This…This is from the pit. You’re tied, so you can’t move. And hung upside down. An incision is made. You feel the blood dripping down. Drop by drop. So it doesn’t run to your head, and you won’t die too soon.
…
Ferreira: I have labored in this country for 15 years, I know it better than you. Our religion does not take root in this country.
Rodrigues: Because the roots have been torn up.
Ferreira: No. Because this country is a swamp. Nothing grows here. Plant a sapling here and the roots rot.
Rodrigues: There was a time when Christianity here grew and flourished here.
Ferreira: When?
Rodrigues: When? In your time, Father. In your time, before you became like…
Ferreira: Like who, like them? Rodriguez, please listen. The Japanese only believe in their distortion of Christianity. Of our gospel. So they did not believe at all. They never believed.
Rodrigues: How can you say that? From the time of St. Francis Xavier through your own time. There were hundreds of thousands of converts here.
Ferreira: Francis Xavier came here to teach the Japanese about the son of God, but first he had to ask how to refer to God. “Dainichi”, he was told. Shall I show you their Dainichi
[he gestures towards the Sun]
Ferreira: Behold. There is the son of God. God’s only begotten son. In the scriptures, Jesus rose on the third day. In Japan the son of God rises daily. The Japanese cannot think of an existence beyond the realm of nature. For them nothing transcends a human. Rodrigues: No…
Ferreira: They can’t conceive of our idea of the Christian God!
Rodrigues: No, you’re wrong. You’re wrong. They worship God! God! Our Lord! They praise the name of Deus!
Ferreira: That’s just another name for a God, they never knew.
Rodrigues: I saw men die!
Ferreira:I did too.
Rodrigues: For Deus! On fire with their faith.
Ferreira: Your martyrs might have been on fire, Father. But it was not of the Christian faith.
Rodrigues: I saw them die. I saw them die. They did not die for nothing.
Ferreira: They did not. They died for you, Rodrigues.
…
Rodrigues: You’re trying to justify your own weakness. God have mercy on you!
Ferreira: Which God? Which one? We say…I’m sorry, you haven’t learned the language though really, have you? There is a saying here, mountains and rivers can be moved. But man’s nature cannot be moved. It’s very wise, like so much here. We find our original nature in Japan, Rodriguez. Perhaps this was meant by finding God.
Rodriques: You’re a disgrace. You’re a disgrace, Father. I can’t…I can’t even call you that anymore.
Ferreira: Good. I have a Japanese name now. A wife and children. I inherited them all from an executed man.
…
Interpreter: Padre, you came here for them and they all hate you.
Rodrigues: Insult me all you like, it just gives me more courage.
Interpreter: You will need it tonight. You are a good man, Padre. You cannot stand suffering. You’re own, or others. Inoue Sama says you will apostatize tonight.
…
Ferreira: That noise is not the guard and it’s not snoring. It’s Christians. Five of them in fact. All hanging in the pit…Do you have the right? To make them suffer? I heard the cries of suffering in this same cell. And I acted.
Rodrigues: You excuse yourself, you excuse yourself, that is the spirit of darkness!
Ferreira: What would you do for them? Pray? And get what in return? Only more suffering. A suffering only you can end, not God!..I pray too, Rodrigues. It doesn’t help. Go on. Pray. But pray with your eyes open. You can spare them. They call out for help, just as you call to God. He is silent and you do not have to be…If Christ were here He would have acted. Apostatized for their sake.
…
Jesus [voiceover coming up from the fumia]: Come ahead now. It’s alright. Step on me. I understand your pain. I was born into this world to share men’s pain. I carried this cross for your pain. Your life is with me now. Step.
…
The Inquisitor [to Rodrigues]: You should know that on the island of Goto there are still many farmers who think themselves as Christian. You like that? They can continue to be Christian. You may take some satisfaction in that because the roots are cut.
…
Dieter Albrecht: It was in the year 1641, during the first of my voyages to Japan, that I, Dieter Albrecht, came upon the most extraordinary story in these pages. As a physician in a great Dutch trading company, I traveled widely. But none of the wonders I have recounted in this journal has been so commented on as the curious matter of the apostate priests. I came closer than any European chronicler to the enigma of this country. And to learning of the lives of the lost priests. Inoue, the Inquisitor, would raid homes and search for any objects with hidden Christian images. The two priest were required examine these things and verify their use. I even, on occasion, observed them myself. The Dutch were the only Europeans allowed to trade in Japan. All ships were searched to warrant they were not smuggling religious objects. Nothing bearing the images of the cross, a saint, or rosary could pass. Despite every attempt a few things inevitably were smuggled in. And then it was as distressing to the Japanese as if blood had been spilled. When Sawano Chuãn died, the other priest assumed his duties and performed them with distinction. By this time, I observed he had acquired considerable skill with the language. And seemed to be at peace with his situation. Okada San’emon lived in Edo for the remaining years of his life. Some 10 years later, I was allowed to visit Edo. The Japanese gossiped freely about Okada San’emon. The Inquisitor Inoue, demanded repeated vows of apostasy from him. And they say “The fallen priest supplied them all quickly and vigorously.” The Inquisitor continued to insist on periodic examinations of all suspected Christians. Okada San’emon was not exempt from this. Inoue was determined to never let his example be forgotten. Perhaps most particularly by the priest himself. In the year 1667, a religious image was discovered inside an amulet belonging to a servant called Kichijiro. The servant said he had won it gambling, had never looked inside, and could never have gotten the amulet from Okada San’emon since he was always under guard. The servant Kichijiro was taken away. After that, Okada San’emon himself was carefully watched. During my last voyage in 1682, I asked about him, and the Japanese were eager to reply. The last priest never acknowledged the Christian God. Not by word or symbol. He never spoke of Him and never prayed. Not even when he died. The business of his faith was long ended. Three guards stood watch over the coffin until it could be taken away, just to be certain. Only his wife was briefly allowed to view the body, and place there a humble mamorigatana to ward off evil spirits. There was no indication that she wept. The body was treated in the Buddhist manner. And he was given a posthumous Buddihist name. The man who was once Rodrigues ended as they wanted. And as I first saw him, lost to God. But as to that, indeed, only God can answer. [/b]