Moonlight

Dear Mark

I was struck by the power of silence as I watched Moonlight. Marginalised groups in society are often deemed speechless by dominant narratives of power, ensuring that the subaltern has no platform for expression. The intense mental anguish and pain experienced by the character of Chiron are given an outlet in Moonlight, as Barry Jenkins gives shapes to Chiron's emotions through music, expression and action, including one outburst of primal scream-like violence which encapsulates the frustration of oppression.

Meaning is often found in the silences in this film, giving insight into the dreams, hopes and fears of the often voiceless protagonist. This humanises the outcast, commanding empathy for the experiences of demonisation and suffering of those who cannot speak of them. What a film.