Production notes:

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Visceral and immediate cinematography à la Black Swan, amplifying Rebecca’s horrifying transformation.

Opening Scene: A pitch black screen. No sound. Voiceover, whispered, breathless: Am I buried alive? More darkness without sound. Voiceover, whispered, breathless, panicky: Who am I? Pause. Was I drugged? I can’t feel my body. The screen is still black, but a hint of white noise is introduced, barely audible. Voiceover, slightly more volume, more panic: Someone did something to me. Pause. Something horrible. Suggestion of shapes in the darkness (the underside of leaves) and the white noise reveals hints of night noises—leaves rustling in a breeze. Voiceover, scarcely audible whisper laced with resignation: And I deserved it.

The cast:

Maude Apatow as Rebecca Waldmann: Demure and dutiful Orthodox Jewish girl with an undercurrent of mischievousness. Beginning to question everything she has been taught.

Alon Abutbul as Aaron Waldmann: Devout Orthodox Jew, strict, single-minded, sometimes loving father, liar.

Drew Starkey as Ryder Alexander: Popular but sometimes shy, athletic, attractive, sincere.

Madison Nicole Ziegler as Tamar Gertner: Effervescent, conscientious, a great friend, boho vibe.

Mason Cook as Scott: Athletic, lurking violence, malcontent.

Sabrina Carpenter as Brittany Clark: Beautiful and she knows it, athletic, edgy.

The poster:

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Many thanks to Nikki Vogel for putting on her casting director's hat and dreaming up this all-star fancast for the film version of  Silencing Rebecca (we're spooked by that first scene alone!).

For more Character Study, click here.

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