December 6, 2005

Amir Naderi's "Sound Barrier" wins critics awards at festivals

The Jury of the Filmcritica Award "Bastone Bianco" of the 23rd Torino Film Festival was given to SOUND BARRIER by Amir Naderi.

Citation: For the extreme experimentation with which he breaks down the barrier between sound, sight and touch, in a form which touches the madness of Herzog and the tragic utopia of the story by Sokurov.

Amir Naderi was given the Critics Award (Roberto Rossellini prize) and Charlie Wilson won the Best Actor award at the Roma Film Festival.

Legendary filmmaker Amir Naderi had the audacity to compose his sixteenth film of only two scenes, plus a brief prelude and epilogue. Out of this massive risk has come an undeniable masterpiece, Sound Barrier. An 11-year-old boy, Jesse, travels from Manhattan with a letter and a key to a Queens storage unit. In this tiny room, he searches for an audiocassette recording of his deceased mother. Desperate to hear her voice, he hopes she will provide clues to their past and himself. But even if he finds the tape, Jesse will face another obstacle. He is both deaf and mute.

Working with such a minimal story, Naderi has succeeded in expanding the boundaries of cinema farther than any of his contemporaries. Yet he never forgets the essential human emotions that so powerfully entangle the viewer with Jesse and his quest, and that is what makes watching this film such a profoundly rewarding experience.

Charlie Wilson delivers an impressive debut performance as Jesse, and rising New York cinematographer Michael Simmonds heightens each moment with his unique and brilliant compositions. Sound Barrier challenges the veiwers very existence, and forces you to question any and all limits. Through the determination of Jesse, the film provides hope and inspiration to begin life anew-to break the sound barrier. -- from Tribeca Film Festival program

Sent by Zara Houshmand

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