Hemlock Synopsis:
Hemlock Synopsis:
Hemlock is a psychological drama. The story follows Lina, an optimistic travel blogger arrives at Aokigahara Forest, Japan to explore the Narusawa Ice Caves. Before she makes her way to the ice caves, she decides to give her audience a sneak peek inside the forest. While doing so, she stumbles, hits the ground, and loses consciousness. She wakes up later only to find herself lost deep within the forest. As she tries to find her way through the forest, she stumbles across Todoroki, a non-communicative Japanese youth who is in the midst of committing a tragic event. After thwarting his attempt, Lina finds herself at Todoroki's campsite desperately trying to convince him to help her find a way out of the forest. Suddenly, as Todoroki pulls strokes on a sketchbook and hums an incoherent melody, Lina hears an Old lady’s hum floating from deep within the interior of the forest as if answering Todoroki's initial croon. Lina chases the hum in hopes of finding someone who can show her the way to escape the forest. In the process, she learns about her own weaknesses and realizes she must find a way to reconcile them before the forest will gain her access to its exit.
Director Statement:
While making this film I came to the realization that ultimately, we must eventually accept the decision that our loved ones make, and in the aftermath of those decisions, all we can do is cherish the memories we had with them.
Asif Khan Ranan
Director, Producer & Story
Dan R. Gomez
Executive Producer
Charles Barrett
Executive Producer
Mustafa El Ghandour
Cinematography
Baillianna Sholl
Production Design
Dan R. Gomez
Editor
Yoshiki Sayama
Music Composer
Marco A. Mata
Music Composer
Charles Barrett
Writer
Randi Barber
"Lina"
Yusuke Morimoto
"Todoroki"
Kariya Miki
"Old Lady"