Stille Liebe

If you want a love story that's different, this is it!

At first I thought that this was a most unlikely relationship. Can you imagine a nun who devotes her life to the needy finding a close relationship with an ex-circus performer? Hardly. But when you discover that they have a common disability - they are both deaf - you come to believe that anything is possible where love is concerned.

These two friends who become lovers "speak" with the sign language and they are very adept at it. There is much gesticulation in scene after scene, but with the sub-titles it works very well. Indeed it's quite fascinating to watch and after a time one is able to interpret some of the gestures.

The friendship starts with a chance meeting when he makes a reservation at the Centre catering for the needy and homeless. The young man seems affectionate and caring and the nun is soon attracted to him. With some gentle persuasion he induces her to share his bed and she enjoys her first sexual experience.

There is an interesting discussion about the Theatre for the Deaf in which the deaf players use the sign language on stage. Note also that the predominantly deaf audience has a different way of showing its appreciation at the end of the play. The sound of clapping is meaningless. Their hands are fluttered in the air above their heads.

The whole film is enjoyable with interesting characters some of whom are frustrated because they feel excluded from the world of deafness. And despite the poverty and homelessness of the unfortunate people who come to the Centre for their meals the film maintains an air of cheerfulness.

Altogether it's an interestinfg experience.