One of the best things to take away from a story is new knowledge. If, at the end of a tale, your knowledge base has been expanded in some way, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, then you have become a more well-rounded person just from sheer exposure. The aftereffects are of course up to you, what you choose to do with that knowledge matters. Part of learning, however, involves taking in outside experiences.
All of this to say, I prefer films that give me some sort of new information, films that can inspire me to new heights, pique my interest, or otherwise engage me in a conversation. “The Whistlers” is such a film, and I find myself still unraveling all that I have gathered from watching it.
“The Whistlers” is a combined effort from various European production companies, including the french Les Films du Worso, the German Komplizen Film, and the Romanian 42 Km Film. As such, the American audience may find it rather different from the usual fare we get here, but if you enjoy languages, visiting beautiful destinations, or untangling a mystery, then “The Whistlers” needs to go on your To Watch list.
The main story consists of a quest to rescue a prominent businessman. However, because of international implications, the level of secrecy involved is monumental. In order to communicate with each other and involve as few people as possible, the police officer in charge visits the Canary Islands to learn the ancient whistling language used there.
While the whistling language is the focus of the piece, there are multiple other languages spoken throughout the film, including English, Spanish, and Romanian. I think sometimes that a lot of us (Americans locked in the white experience come to mind) forget that our languages, dialects, and sounds aren’t in use globally, and it can be an enlightening experience to hear other languages. With the rise of international films and television being accessible to more markets, I’m hopeful this will change and help steer the conversation toward a more productive view of language, like dedicating time to learning at least common courtesies and requests in one or more other languages.
It’s something we tend to neglect, the idea that we can communicate in more than words. Whistles, gestures, body language, etc., are all used around the world to speak with each other, regardless of background or ethnicity. While we may never have a universal language, it’s ideal that we try to reach out and make contact with what we have available, and if we have more tools at our disposal, the better chances we have of making ourselves understood and of being capable of understanding the people in our lives.
“The Whistlers” is both a dive into communication and how we interact with each other and a tightly scripted, intense crime thriller. It’s also a story of human connection, the memories we retain, and the power these have in our lives.
Even if this sort of film doesn’t appeal to you on these levels, the sheer gorgeousness of the Canary Islands is enough to draw a crowd. While most of us aren’t able to travel at the moment due to the pandemic, we can still venture outside via film, whether it’s a handheld video chat with a friend or a gorgeous detour into the islands off the coast of Spain.
For whatever reason you decide to watch “The Whistlers”, it rewards viewers with a myriad of gifts, from audible to visual treats to emotional highs to the adrenaline rush of the clock ticking as the team races to save their target.
If you’d like to meet “The Whistlers”, you can do so by watching the film in the comfort of your home thanks to Magnolia Pictures. You can visit this website to discover your viewing options.
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