Silencio
Director: Eduardo Casanova
Writer: Eduardo Casanova
Cast: María León, Ana Polvorosa, Omar Ayuso, Leticia Dolera, Lucía Díez, Mariola Fuentes, Carolina Rubio
Part of: SLASH 1/2 Filmfestival
Seen on: 9.5.2026

Content Note: (critical treatment of) queermisia

Plot:
The black plague is threatening not only humanity, but also vampires, who fear that their food supply is running out. While four vampire sisters debate the ethical choices in this situation, Centuries later, the Aids crisis poses new risks for the remaining vampires and their descendants.

Silencio is actually three episodes of a mini series strung together to make a film. And while the three parts are very distinct from each other – each taking place in a different century – they make a great and very entertaining whole with a fresh take on vampires.

It is not the first time that the SLASH showed a film by Casanova (they already had a short film – that they showed again before Silencio – and a feature. All of the films I saw by him were flamboyant and campy with a great sense of style and a good sense of humor. Silencio continues this, and it is probably his best work so far.

The first segment during the plague was certainly the funniest and had me laughing a lot. But amid the absurdity, Casanova always keeps sight of his characters‘ emotions and when things hurt, they really do hurt, never mind the laughter that came before it.

The second segment takes place in the 80s, during the Aids crisis, and I thought it really interesting, also because it is a Aids story that focuses on a pair of lesbians and not gay men. Again, it is also pretty funny and emotional touching at once. The third segment takes place in the future and might be the least accessible, but it is still fun and enjoyable and a nice ending.

The costumes are great, the performances are, too, and I really found that Casanova does new things with old vampires, including a healthy dose of social commentary, if you want it – what’s not to like?

Summarizing: highly enjoyable.