This powerful drama takes place in a remakable geographical setting, a fascinating treat to be at the very tip of the Shiretoko Peninsular. It is the easternmost portion of the Japanese island of Hokkaido, protruding into the Sea of Okhotsk. Incredibly scenic with an extreme winter this frigid inhospitable landscape is the setting of this harrowing tale.
Visiting the remote town of Rasu a novelist looking for inspiration meets up with the local headmaster who guides the author to local caves where famously rare local flora thrive, green glowing moss. While at the caves the headmaster relates back to an incident that occurred here in the past...
In 1943 just off the coast a convoy loaded with army munitions got into trouble one of the ships was abandoned the fate of the others unknown. A captain & three sailors make it to shore and discover the welcome shelter of the cave. Cold and starving & facing the approach of a severe winter, which blocks with drift ice any sea access, the prospects for rescue & survival are grim. In absolute hunger in desperation the men consider eating human flesh, after one of their crewmates has just died....
The tense film is an absorbing psychological drama, a brilliant multi faceted story. With a social conscious, here as in previous films Kei Kumai raises issues & interweaves thought provoking layers. He adapted the tale from avant-garde novelist Taijun Takeda the story is based on a true incident. Credit must go to Kumai for his bold determination filming in such remote and hostile climatic conditions.
A standout cast is headed by captain/headmaster Rentaro Mikuni who gives tremendous depth of character, his personal tale very much the centre of the story. Accompanying is a fabulous evocative soundtrack from Teizo Matsumura
Genre labels as Horror, mysterious is the glowing moss, horror abounds but not through supernatural elements, it is a slow burn horror arising from the darkest depths of human despair. Highly Recommended !!
