A good short feature can often show the talent of the people involved, especially the skill of the director as a visual storyteller. Creating a certain atmosphere and setting the mood are essential, while also establishing an interesting premise the audience would like to know more about. In the case of Yasuyuki Nakahira‘s “Ghost Limb”, who also created the short features “Dark Blue Forest” and “Ninth Rhizome”, there are certainly some aspects which are worth noteworthy, even though the overall production fails to excite its viewer.
Ghost Limb is screening at Japan FilmFest Hamburg
The story centers around Mao (Maho Natsume), a picture book writer, who has been in therapy for quite some time as she is plagued by strange dreams and visions. In one of her recent dreams she is in a forest, feeling a vague sensation of dread and anxiety, especially as she enters an old cabin. As her story continues she makes the connection between what she has dreamed and a series of killings ten years ago. Tracing back her memories to the mysterious Forest of Birds, Mao is about to find out whether she was actually involved in the murders so many years ago.
According to its description on its YouTube page, “Ghost Limb” is “based on research into the theme of “borders” done at Rakudosha, an outdoor art space in Shizuoka Prefecture”. While you can debate about many aspects of the production, you most certainly have to admit how Yasuyuki manages to set the tone for his feature. The depiction of the forest and the combination of imagery, music and lighting is quite well-done, moody and highlights the surreal notes of the story. It creates a dream-like atmosphere, while also giving subtle hints about what may be going on with the main character.
Aspects such as mood and atmosphere are nicely done, but since they are not supported by a good story, some of it falls flat. “Ghost Limb” manages to create singular, nice images, but as a whole the feature is too confusing and really does not know where to go, which is quite ironic as the main character seems to spend most of her time stumbling around a forest. Maho Natsume as the protagonist does a solid job and it would have been beneficial if the story would stick with her, instead of losing itself with some of the other characters whose “stories” are less compelling. In the end, we are given hints but nothing concrete, making the mood the only aspect which stands out in an otherwise forgettable feature.
“Ghost Limb” is more of a mood piece, since its story and characters are not memorable.
