The Quietest Year: test screening

The Quietest Year (2023)

Directed by Karen Akins (90 mins)

The Quietest Year, directed by Karen Akins (El Susto, 2019) is a disquieting tale set in Vermont, USA - presumed to be one of the last idyllic places in America - during the Covid-19 pandemic, when life slowed down to a crawl. 

Whilst the pandemic was unquestionably one of the quietest times in a century, The Quietest Year illustrates how noise pollution, that so many are subjected to while trapped at home, is not just an irritation but rather a full-blown public health and environmental justice crisis too long ignored.

What has happened historically, technologically and politically to create such a noisy world? 

What are the very real health and environmental impacts and who are the groups who have been identifying noise as an indicator of human and environmental degradation?

What is going on culturally and politically around noise and who are those who are leading resistance to noise through coordinated movements? What can we learn from their actions? 

What future do we face in the midst of shifting technology, cultural attitudes and urbanization and what can we do to protect our commons? 

The Quietest Year unpacks all of these issues, with authoritative experts and humour, along a number of compelling active storylines. 

We are delighted to host a private online test screening of The Quietest Year on Tuesday 25 July at 11:00 ET and 16:00 BST. The structure of the event will be 30 minutes of selected clips, followed by 30 minutes of discussion with the director Karen Akins and paediatric neurologist Peter Bingham and inventor of noise-cancelling technology at Bose, Dan Gauger, who both feature in the film, plus audience feedback.

Tickets

Registration is now open - and free of charge.

If you would like to cast early eyes on this excellent film and help shape its final edit, please register below by 09:30 ET / 14:30 BST on Tuesday 25 July.