Having won a Papatango Prize in 2021 and originally part of an audio tour of the UK, The Silence and the Noise is now available to stream online, produced by Rural Media and Pentabus. 

Written by Tom Powell, the story focuses on two teenagers Ben, a drug runner (played by William Robinson) and Daize, the daughter of an addict (played by Rachelle Diedericks). As the very adult world around them becomes increasingly dangerous, they try to navigate their way through, but can they learn to trust one another when there is no one else to help them? Can this trust save them both? And is there really a way out?

Directed by Rachel Lambert and Elle While, the film is shot entirely on location and it is an interesting mix of theatre and film that really moulds together well. The focus is on the two teens entirely; we are surrounded by their surroundings and drawn into their lives. Both Diedericks and Robinson are superb in their portrayals. Their journeys from strangers, through their struggles with trust and then into friendship are faultless. They are truly intriguing performances to watch.

The story itself is one of relevance. Of poverty and of hope. Of faith and of despair. With the simple message that if we can just give someone a little bit of ourselves, they will give a little bit of themselves back to us and that good things really can surface from the worst of situations.

Engaging, captivating and courageous.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

The Silence and the Noise is available to stream online until 31 May here.