As August marks National Relaxation Month, Black Public Media (BPM) invites audiences to take a momentary digital vacation with the world premiere of SILENT, a striking new short film by filmmaker Nile Price. Streaming now on BPM’s YouTube channel as part of AfroPoP Digital Shorts, SILENT offers viewers a chance to step away from the constant noise of modern life and experience a rare moment of calm.
Filmed in black and white, SILENT follows a young writer, portrayed by Robert Barnes, who finds himself inundated by an endless stream of distractions in the solitude of his apartment. The drip of a faucet, the ring of a phone, the blare of a television—all conspire to disrupt his focus and creativity. In a world dominated by screens and ambient noise, the film asks a simple but urgent question: can we ever truly escape the sound that surrounds us?
SILENT is more than a meditation on quiet—it is a reflection on the challenges of being fully present in the modern age. Viewers are invited to immerse themselves in a sensory experience that highlights the tension between solitude and the cacophony of everyday life. The film’s stark black-and-white cinematography enhances this contemplative atmosphere, allowing moments of silence to resonate deeply with the audience.
Director Nile Price, a Richmond, Virginia native and New York University Tisch MFA graduate, teaches directing at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts (VCUarts) Cinema Program. His work explores memory, resilience, and cultural legacy through poetic visual storytelling. Price’s previous short, For the Moon (2022), inspired by astronaut Ronald McNair, also streams on AfroPoP Digital Shorts and won First Prize at NASA’s CineSpace.
By presenting SILENT, BPM provides a thoughtful reminder of the importance of quiet reflection and the restorative power of stepping away from the noise. As summer winds down and many Americans dream of vacation, this short film offers a digital reprieve, encouraging viewers to pause, breathe, and reconnect with stillness in their daily lives.
SILENT is currently available to stream on BPM’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXnaz7_kmr8