'A Place Called Silence' dominates box office with gripping tale

During his pursuit of a master's degree, Malaysia-born director Sam Quah stumbled upon a news story detailing a mother's relentless quest to locate her tragically murdered daughter. This haunting narrative inspired Quah's inaugural feature-length film, A Place Called Silence.

Recently completed earlier this year, the movie marks Quah's second directorial venture following the success of his 2019 film, Sheep Without a Shepherd.

Premiering in domestic theaters on Wednesday, the film has swiftly ascended to the top of the country's box-office charts, amassing over 110 million yuan ($15.13 million) in revenue as of Friday.

The film unfolds the harrowing tale of a middle school girl enduring relentless bullying on campus, culminating in a tragic fall to her death. Yet, the cycle of violence persists, extending even to her closest confidante. As the narrative unfurls, a chilling sequence of enigmatic serial killings ensues, further entangling the characters in a web of suspense and intrigue.

A fervent enthusiast of crime suspense cinema, Quah delves into his passion for the genre, citing extensive viewing of such films during his college years. His research aimed to dissect the formulaic intricacies and pivotal elements that define these gripping narratives.

The film has garnered a remarkable rating of 9.5 out of 10 on the ticketing service Maoyan, attesting to its compelling storytelling and resonant impact on audiences.