CINECITY 2022: The Silent Twins

Based on an emotive true story, The Silent Twins is a compelling drama about two sisters who retreat into a private world, with far - reaching repercussions. The film charts the lives of Jennifer and June Gibbons, twin daughters of Caribbean migrants, who live in Wales. Alienated from those around them, the twins are totally reliant on each other, communicating in a secret language and mirroring each other’s actions. As they approach adulthood, their behaviour spills into rebellious acts of petty theft and arson. Based on the bestseller by Marjorie Wall ace, the film also highlights the twins’ extraordinary outpouring of creativity, reframing them as outsider artists who produce numerous diaries, poems and novels. Strong performances capture the complex bond between the twins, with BAFTA winner Letitia Wr ight ( Black Panther ) and Tamara Lawrance ( Small Axe ) playing the sisters as teenagers and adults. Director Agnieszka Smoczy ń ska conjures up their inner thoughts with inventive visuals, including stop - motion puppet animation. “This is an engrossing, well - a cted story – disturbing but also tender and sad.” PETER BRADSHAW The Guardian