Arta Dobroshi in "Le Silence de Lorna" [2008 Belgium, France]

Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne have made another excellent conscientious drama in "Le Silence de Lorna" [Eng. Title: The Silence of Lorna]. Focusing on the immigration racket to show how cold and calculating people use loopholes within the system to exploit people, it follows the fortunes of Lorna, an Albanian immigrant who marries native Belgian Claudy to procure citizenship. Claudy, a junkie, also gets paid for marrying her. The deal is that after Lorna gets her ctizenship, she's to become quickly available for getting married to a Russian smuggler who wants EU citizenship. Claudy had been chosen carefully so that he could be disposed off easily through an overdose. But Lorna prefers to simply divorce the guy instead. She applies, and is granted divorce after showing medical staff some self-inflicted wounds. Claudy is also trying to come off drugs and turn a new page. But the cartel are impatient, and things don't go according to plan...

The film raises several questions, about government immigration policies, our own fears and prejudices, loopholes that can be easily exploited by criminal syndicates, and exploitation of women in general. The film is fast-paced through most of its duration, and towards the end have some bizarre twists, which I won't mention, but it is these that I feel were a bit contrived. But overall, the film has our full attention, and Arta Dobroshi gives a heart-felt performance in the titular role of Lorna. Recommended Viewing.




Arta Dobroshi, as Lorna:



There is only one nude scene in the film, interesting nevertheless. Now that Lorna has got a divorce and will be leaving soon, Claudy is shattered, and now desperately wants a fix - he had been encouraged by Lorna to get off drugs, and it had been working. When he decides to go out to buy some more drugs, Lorna locks the door and throws away the key, and in order to take his mind off drugs, disrobes and offers to have sex with him for the first time.






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