Japan’s Aokigahara Forest has become a part of modern internet legend. A beautiful forest at the edge of Mt. Fuji, it is where many people have gone to end their lives, and because of that, the area has earned a reputation as a haunted place. Far removed from the culture and reality of Japan, it’s easy to become fascinated with the ghost story aspect of the place, and the idea of a ‘suicide forest,’ but the fact is that this area’s fame has only made it more appealing to people dealing with the worst feelings in the world.
The film “fuji_jukai.mov” does a very nice job of showing the reality of the place, as well as the allure to young people as a place to see horror and tragedy up close.
The film follows a teen girl who has decided to kill herself in the forest. Not wanting to be alone when she does it, the teen has connected with two other young women who want to watch someone die, and the three meet up just outside the trail into the woodlands. Slowly, the trio makes their way into the forest, deeper and deeper, the two girls desperate for the suicidal one to do the deed, but she refuses, telling them she wants to get deeper into the woods to do it. As they go deeper into the forest, the seriousness of the situation and their surroundings begin to weigh on them, and, with dawning horror, the young women realize they may be in danger.
“Fuji_jukai.mov” is really good. It’s unique in its presentation and mixes a traditional found-footage film with the “mockumentary” style. Both sides of the movie play into and inform one another, and really add depth to the film. I have to admit, too, that I was kept guessing much of the way, as I tried to get a handle on what was happening.
The film has very good acting and is very engaging. How things come together and play out isn’t perfect, and there are definitely questions, especially with WHAT the film is, in being a traditional found-footage mixed with “mockumentary,” but it is just so darn interesting. It is a very slow burn, like many Japanese films are, but the journey is worth it.
The film is not readily available in the United States. I ordered a copy of a recent Blu-ray release from Bleeding Skull, and it was well worth it. There are a few extras on the disc, but they are interesting. More than anything, it’s nice to have such a unique and chilling film in the stacks.
TL;DR: A spooky found-footage chiller leading you deep into the mysterious woods, and not wanting you to get out.
3.5 out of 5
