Words Left Unspoken

Josiane Blanc’s immersive documentary follows Joze Piranian, a comedian and motivational speaker, as he tries to make peace with the stutter that held him back from public speaking for over two decades. Piranian is a charming and likable character, and the film offers viewers an intimate window into his life through a combination of vulnerable interviews, scenes observing him going about his daily routine, frank conversations between him and his family, and re-enactments of his childhood (these are used sparingly and more to convey a mood than depict a literal memory, a choice that works well).

Blanc showcases her skills as a documentary filmmaker, delivering a final product that’s dynamic and engaging, and not always easy to watch. Rather than tell a feel-good tale of overcoming adversity, she demonstrates intentionality by showing us scenes of Joze interacting with his friends and family that are often awkward or uncomfortable. In a dinner scene, for example, his friends unintentionally keep talking over him, not realizing that he often needs to take an extra beat before speaking. It’s a discomfiting scene but one that really puts the viewers in Joze's shoes. It's this sort of truthful storytelling that makes Words Left Unspoken an impactful film.

– Pahull Bains