Quiet artworks sometimes make the deepest impressions
In a sensationalist age, they are too often shouted down
“Quiet” is a harmless word that, in the cultural world, can be a euphemism, even a slur. Often it refers to tales of humdrum lives that lack the hoopla of seismic themes, exotic settings, twists and gore. A quiet book, in literary-speak, is one that doesn’t sell. More than ever, a quietly humane film is likely to be shouted down by superheroes. That is a shame, as quiet art can be moving and profound.
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “The rest is silence”
Culture May 20th 2023
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