Silence
(“Silencio”)

Written by Marco Antonio Rodriguez

Drama – Short Film
Language: Spanish

Logline:
Dominican Republic, 1936
During the brutal reign of dictator, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, a provincial family battles with a decision that will change their lives forever.

Synopsis:
The violent dictatorship of RAFAEL LEONIDAS TRUJILLO is at its beginning stages in 1936, Dominican Republic; one year before a Haitian genocide is to take place.
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KIRINO, a bodyguard to the amoral Trujillo, has duties that include torture, murder, and the corruption of young girls, Trujillo’s favorite pastime. Kirino is blindly devoted to Trujillo’s ideals of transforming the country into an economic global force.
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Trujillo meets JUANA, Kirino’s thirteen-year-old daughter, and is smitten. He requests she come live in the Palacio Nacional, the country’s equivalent to the White House. Kirino understands refusal would result in the elimination of his entire family.
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LORETTA, Kirino’s wife, attempts to convince Kirino to protect their only daughter. What follows is a decision whose devastating effects will ripple throughout their lives and the country.
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Because of the subject matter and period in which the story takes place, we are planning on shooting this short film in Puerto Rico, in Spanish (with English Subtitles).
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Awards/Nominations:

*Placed 1st in its heat/group at the New York City Midnight International Screenwriting competition.

*Official Selection the 2009 SOCAL (Southern California) Film Festival in Huntington Beach, “Best Dramatic Short”

*Nominated for Best Dramatic Short Screenplay at the 2009 Action On Film Festival in Pasadena California.