Suicide now is the eighth cause of death in the United States, yet it is discussed in hushed whispers or not at all. SILENCE is based, in part, on a true story about a wealthy, respected, successful family; what many of us would label the "perfect" family. On first blush, it appears to be a story about reversal of fortunes, but on deeper analysis it is about self-destructive personalities that lead to suicide. SUICIDE gives the viewing audience the chance to recognize the depths of these tragedies on small doses until they can get to the point of saying, "Suicide is not a personal tragedy but a family watershed." The guilt left behind immobilizes even the most stable families and leaves lifetime emotional scars. Suicide can be addressed when families grasp the warning signs; rage, hopelessness, loss of control and important feelings of coping with life. SILENCE ends by giving people a philosophy that is believed to be the germ of heading off suicide- "WE all have time to understand and know each other, but we don't.".