Martin Scorsese’s historical drama Silence has landed a release date, just in time for awards season.
Paramount has set a limited release for Dec. 23, 2016, and then will open it nationwide in January.
Based on Shusaku Endo’s 1966 novel of the same name, Silence tells the story of two 17th century Portuguese missionaries who undertake a perilous journey to Japan to search for their mentor and to spread the gospel of Christianity. The script was adapted by Scorsese and Jay Cocks.
Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver and Liam Neeson star in the film.
The film is produced by Scorsese and Emma Tillinger Koskoff, along with Randall Emmett, Barbara Defina, Vittorio Cecchi Gori and Irwin Winkler. Producer Gaston Pavlovich’s company Fabrica de Cine also provided the lead financing for the picture, alongside executive producer Dale A. Brown of Sharpsword Films.
There are no other wide releases set for Dec. 23, but the holiday season is a traditionally crowded time at the box office. Video game adaptation Assassin’s Creed, animated musical film Sing and big-budget sci-fi romance story Passengers, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, are all set for release three days before Silence‘s date.
