Often times when films take place Japan, we are thrust into a bustling neon city with undeniable infectious energy- think “Lost in Translation,” “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” and “Black Rain” to name a few. Rarely are we given the opportunity to see the lush, green forests and wildlife that take up about 67% of the country’s landscape*. Writer/director Nadia Litz captures this unspeakable beauty in her film, “The People Garden,” yet turns the fairytale imagery on its head by drenching the woody oasis in mystery and death.

Sweetpea (Dree Hemingway) lands in a Japanese airport with only one small suitcase in tow, it is obvious that she is not planning on staying long. She is here to break up with her boyfriend, Jamie (François Arnaud). Jamie is on location filming a music video deep in the woods, and her calls to him go unanswered. After getting a ride from a guy named Mak (Jai West), and befriending a local girl to help her navigate through the dense forest, she finally arrives on the film set and immediately becomes very uneasy. Not only is Jamie missing, everyone seems to be hiding something. Determined to figure out what is going on, Sweetpea takes matters into her own hands. 

“The People Garden” is a quietly somber yet beautiful art film that bubbles with emotion; from the beginning scenes up until the very end, we are engaged and wondering what will happen next. Starting out with a clever twist, Litz makes it clear early on that this film is not going to be predictable or straightforward by any means. 

Dree Hemingway is the perfect choice for the role of Sweetpea, the way she carries herself is engaging to watch on screen (and her model looks don’t hurt). She runs the full emotional gamut in the film’s 80-minute runtime, from anxious to scared, daring to devastated. A rising star in the indie film circuit (her great-grandfather is Ernest Hemingway), Dree certainly proves that she deserves to be here and is more than just a famous last name. 

Also returning to the screen is Pamela Anderson, who plays the role of Jamie’s music video muse, Signe. She doesn’t have many lines, but her performance is spot on, even slightly reminiscent of Lina Lamont from ‘Singin’ in the Rain.’ Just the way she dangles from wires high above the forest’s grounds is a breathtaking thing to see.

‘The People Garden’ is getting a very limited distribution, which is a shame because films like this deserve to be seen by all. Everyone who watches this film can take something away from this cinematic experience, from admiring Litz’s directorial choices to lusting after Hemingway’s wardrobe, do try to put ‘The People Garden’ on your list of under the radar, must-see movies.

* Taken from Save the World’s Forests evaluation of protected and natural forests in Japan.

‘The People Garden’ is not rated. 80 minutes. Now playing at the Downtown Independent in Los Angeles, as well as VOD platforms.