SOUND OF SILENCE (震耳欲聋) (NETFLIX) (2025)

SYNOPSIS: A "gray zone" lawyer Li Qi (Tan Jianci) born in a deaf family, finds himself entangled in a fraud case targeting the deaf community. While leveraging the case to gain both fame and fortune, he soon realises that the scheme is far more complicated than it first appeared. This time, caught between desire and conscience, what choice will he make? The film is partially inspired by the true cases of CODA lawyer Zhang Qi.

MOVIE REVIEW:

There are real-life heroes who don’t wear capes, and lawyer Li Qi (played by Tan Jianci) is one of them. Supposedly inspired by a true story, Sound of Silence tells a moving tale about the poor and the oppressed.

Ironically, Li Qi does not initially set out to fight for the vulnerable. A small-time lawyer working in a cramped office tucked away in an alley, he craves success and wealth. This ambition explains why he first refuses to represent a deaf girl, Xiao Rui (Lan Xiya), whose family and the wider deaf community have been ensnared in a Ponzi scheme. Lured by the influential head of the fraudulent investment company, Jin (Wang Yanhui), Li Qi begins climbing the corporate ladder and even establishes his own law firm. But at what cost? The betrayal of his conscience and moral compass?

Sound of Silence is an impressive piece of storytelling. While the narrative may follow a somewhat predictable David-versus-Goliath trajectory, the film powerfully highlights the vulnerability of the deaf community, as well as the less educated and working poor. Li Qi himself is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Having been bullied and ostracised because of his background, all he longs for is a respectable and comfortable life, a desire he pours out in a heart-wrenching scene opposite Xiao Rui.

The film does not revolve solely around Li Qi. Supporting actors are given substantial material to work with. Wang Ge, who plays Li Qi’s partner Xiao Tang, shares an intense shouting match with him inside a lift in one of the film’s most charged moments. Pan Binlong portrays Lao Ma, a community grocery store owner whose touching past with Li Qi explains why the latter feels closer to him than to his own parents. The drama stands out for allowing both main and supporting characters to shine, with clearly defined motivations and impactful dialogue.

Tan Jianci delivers a poignant and layered performance as the morally conflicted Li Qi, while Lan Xiya is utterly convincing as the resilient Xiao Rui. If there is one noticeable flaw, it lies in the portrayal of the main antagonist, Jin. Also a CODA, his motivations for exploiting the vulnerable feel somewhat underdeveloped and hazy.

Although the film features courtroom sequences, they are not its central focus. The legal showdown serves more as a swift resolution that ensures Jin finally faces justice. Despite its modest budget, the movie excels in its meticulous use of sound design. Sign language is prominently and respectfully integrated throughout, creating a dynamic and emotionally immersive viewing experience. While it may not boast an A-list ensemble, Sound of Silence is a superb and tense drama, elevated by powerful performances and its compassionate spotlight on the disadvantaged.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee