“Ciunas: Silence” is an Irish-language short film directed
by Tristan Heanue and featuring Hazel Doupe and Gary Lydon. It was released in
2019. The film is about two parents who pick up their teenage daughter Rebecca
from the hospital. On their way home, nobody discusses the reason for her being
there.
It is great to see movies being made in the Irish language.
For so long, the Irish language was oppressed, so to see it come back in such a
massive way is incredible. So many people want to learn Irish, and watching
movies in the Irish language, like “Ciunas,” is a great way to do so. For those
wanting to test their skills, watch the movie without subtitles.
[Spoiler warning/trigger warning] There are several possible
reasons that Rebecca was in the hospital. She mentioned wanting her phone on
the way to lunch so she could text a few people. Her mom got upset, saying that
she does not want Rebecca to be on her phone anymore.
One theory I have is that she was in a car accident because
she was texting. The other theory is that she was being cyberbullied, so she attempted
to take her own life. There are bandages on her wrists, which made me think of
self-harm. It was also mentioned that Rebecca bites her nails, which could be a
habit when she is going into crisis mode. The bandages could have been placed on
her wrists to help an injury heal after a car accident.
No matter the reason for Rebecca’s hospitalization, the film
speaks to a crucial message. Cell phones can be dangerous for people of all
ages, but especially teenagers. From cyberbullying to car accidents, cell phones
have a real impact on kids’ lives. These things even impact adults, but kids do
not have the same skills to cope with these things like adults do.
The movie is a short film, but it has a profound message about
the dangers of cell phones. It is in the Irish language, so if you are
unfamiliar with the language, it is best to watch the film with subtitles.
Related Articles:
-Movie Review: "Wave": https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2026/08/movie-review-wave.html