MARTIN SCORSESE’S new film “Silence” will begin shooting Jan. 30 in Taiwan, two financial backers of the film said.

    Preparations for the filming began in November, the companies Fábrica de Cine and SharpSword said in a statement, announcing that they were taking part in the co-production of the new film by the prize-winning director of such movies as “Taxi Driver” and “Casino.”

    Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver will star in the film.

    The new film, based on a novel by Shusaku Endo, portrays Portuguese Jesuits in the 17th century suffering persecution as they work in isolated areas of Japan.

    “I’ve wanted to make ‘Silence’ for almost two decades, and it is finally a reality,” Scorsese said.

    The film is scheduled for release in 2016.(SD-Agencies)