My Soul Drifts Light Upon a Sea of Trees

The candid stories of Japanese people who considered suicide but changed their minds thanks to a Zen priest and his holistic approach to therapy.

Zen priest Ittetsu Nemoto lost an uncle and two friends to suicide. It left him with deep emotional scars and therefore decided to start a support group for suicidal people at his temple. His approach - incorporating singing, dancing, and meditation - seems to have a therapeutic effect. Despite the taboos surrounding suicide in Japan, his visitors speak candidly about their lives and what made them long for death. Each story paints a picture of what life on the edge can look like.

92' / colour

Original title: My Soul Drifts Light Upon a Sea of Trees
Dir: Heinrich Dahms
Prod: BUZZMEDIA NETWORK - Michele Aime
Co-prod: KRO-NCRV (NL)
Sc: Heinrich Dahms
D.O.P.: Alexander Dahms
Completed: November 2018        
Language: Japanese

Heinrich Dahms:
Between the Devil and the Deep (2015, documentary), Scum (2009, fiction), Surviving (2007, fiction), My Daughter's Keeper (1993, fiction), Dune Surfer (1988, fiction), City Wolf (1987, fiction).

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Festivals
IDFA Int Doc Festival Amsterdam