About

40 Days of Silence is a story about women confronting crucial decisions: motherhood, the weight of tradition, homeland, emotional freedom, religion and self-destruction in modern society. Aside from women's issues, I want to explore the idea of identity loss, of deep human re-evaluation and transformation in a society deeply rooted in Islam, a society that was reshaped by communism and has recently become independent. How all these changes are reflected in these women destinies, in their souls. Saodat Ismailova

‘Captivating footage accompanying a spiritual inner journey: filmmaker and artist Saodat Ismailova paints a poetic portrait of a young Uzbek woman who withdraws from the world for 40 days whilst waiting for her lover.
Bibicha moves in with her grandmother, withdrawing from public life in the village. She vows to remain silent for 40 days, hoping this will bring her lost lover back to her. Grandmother Khanjarmono and her illegitimate granddaughter Sharifa support Bibicha, but there are doubts: is Bibicha’s vow of silence sincere or is she attempting to hide a pregnancy? Chilla (40 Days of Silence) has screened at multiple prestigious festivals and at Centre Pompidou in Paris. The film is lauded as a dreamy, spiritual quest in which spirits and ancestors play an important role, but also as a powerful feminist statement about the position of women in Uzbek culture.’ Eye Filmmuseum

Ages 15+ | Adult themes