The Silent Forest (2022 film)

The Silent Forest is a 2022 German-Latvian thriller film directed by Sarunas Bartas. It is a co-production between Germany, Latvia and Lithuania. The film stars Ina Marija Bartaite (in her final role before her death) and focuses on the investigation of illegal logging and the disappearance of a young activist in the forests of Eastern Europe.

The film centers around Erich, a man who returns to his childhood home in a remote forest after the death of his father. He takes over his father's job as a border guard and soon becomes embroiled in a conflict between corrupt logging companies and environmental activists. The narrative unfolds through Erich's growing awareness of the illegal activities taking place and his struggle to reconcile his personal history with the ethical dilemmas he faces. He begins to suspect foul play in the death of his father.

The Silent Forest explores themes of environmental destruction, corruption, family secrets, and moral responsibility. The film's cinematography emphasizes the beauty and harshness of the natural landscape, highlighting the contrast between the pristine forest and the damage caused by illegal logging.