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Short Film Review: The Monk in the Forest (2020) by Karma Wangchuk

A meticulously crafted audio/visual experience that wonderfully captures feelings of being lost, both in a physical and spiritual way.

“A fearful and lone monk lost in a forest meets himself as his inner fear takes on a new external manifestation. Written and directed by artist filmmaker , the film presents itself as an impressionist painting.”

The Monk in the Forest” is streaming on Beskop

Capturing the fear that comes with being lost, both in a physical and metaphysical sense, “The Monk In the Woods” utilizes an experimental visual approach, along with a meticulously crafted sound design. Together, these elements come together to make a truly unique and immersive experience.

Taking inspiration from impressionist art, the visuals in the film remain obscured to give texture through the blurring of lines. While this may not best capture the artform, the blurring of audiences perceptions forces the viewer to rely on the sound design to help keep their bearings. As a result, the sound design, by Toni Kauko, becomes one of the key elements in the short films' success. Thankfully, the soundscape is both intricate and well timed, marking it exemplary within the experimental genre which has now shortage of sound focused projects. Every breath, crack of the twigs, utterance, etc. are masterfully balanced to capture the emotion of the protagonist. Ultimately, the sound design puts you in the headspace of the traveling monk allowing the observer to experience every moment of tension and uncertainty in movement through a blurred landscape.

While the sound design is a true standout of the production, both audio and visuals live in together in harmonious existence. As difficult as it can be to embrace the blurred visuals, the approach reflects the concept of being lost by obstructing the viewer's full perception of what is occurring. Additionally, the film does a wonderful job of framing with intense moments focused on breathing or attentive listening from the monk, which is reflected in close up shots. This acts in contrast to moments of wandering within the woods, with shots from a distance that allow the sounds of the environment to wrap around both the monk and the viewer. It is clear in Karma Wangchuk's approach that the film was meant to be more experienced on a visceral level, at which it succeeds in a wondrous fashion.

While the experimental approach will obviously act to limit the audience, what Karma Wangchuk and Toni Kauko were able to accomplish is quite remarkable in the realm of ‘experimental' film. “” is a meticulously crafted audio/visual experience that, with certain viewers, will make for an unforgettable journey.

About the author

Adam Symchuk

Adam Symchuk is a Canadian born freelance writer and editor who has been writing for Asian Movie Pulse since 2018. He is currently focused on covering manga, manhwa and light novels having reviewed hundreds of titles in the past two years.

His love of film came from horror and exploitation films from Japan that he devoured in his teens. His love of comics came from falling in love with the works of Shuzo Oshimi, Junji Ito, Hideshi Hino, and Inio Asano but has expanded to a general love of the medium and all its genres.

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