The Sea of Trees

"Love will bring you home."

2016 1h 50m EN

😐

6.2

MID

★6.2TMDB · 557

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In Japan's Aokigahara Forest, a troubled teacher meets a mysterious lost stranger who takes him on a life-changing journey of love and redemption.

“Love will bring you home.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Matthew McConaughey
Arthur Brennan
Ken Watanabe
Takumi Nakamura
Naomi Watts
Joan Brennan
Katie Aselton
Gabriella Laforte
James Saito
Dr. Takahashi
Owen Burke
Ambulance Tech
Ryoko Seta
Airport Desk Agent
Sienna Tow
Girl in Airport

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Gus Van Sant
Writers: Chris Sparling
Languages: Japanese, English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 4% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 10 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Japanese, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

CAST

Did you know

306+ people credited in cast and crew — a small city's worth of labour.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Gus Van Sant, shot by Kasper Tuxen. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Mason Bates. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Pietro Scalia shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Matthew McConaughey and Ken Watanabe and Naomi Watts carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Gus Van Sant directs. Kasper Tuxen behind the camera. Mason Bates scores. Pietro Scalia cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in Japanese, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 4% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released 10 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Japanese, English.
4306+ people credited in cast and crew — a small city's worth of labour.
5Directed by Gus Van Sant, shot by Kasper Tuxen. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Mason Bates. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Pietro Scalia shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Matthew McConaughey and Ken Watanabe and Naomi Watts carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "Love will bring you home.".
10IMDB entry: tt3450900 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
11Classified under 12 themes, including "husband wife relationship", "suicide attempt", "brain tumor", "orchid".
12Released under 18 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography: Kasper Tuxen
Original score: Mason Bates
Editing: Pietro Scalia
Production design: Alex DiGerlando
Costume design: Danny Glicker
Makeup / hair: Nichole Pleau
VFX supervisor: Paul Graff
Sound: Ai-Ling Lee
Stunt coordinator: Mark Norby
Runtime: 110 min · 1h 50m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $25,000,000
Box office: $909,000
Return: 4% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: The Sea of Trees (2016)

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Gus Van Sant

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Reno2016-11-23
★ 7/10
In an attempt to end life, discovering the life itself! Actually, this was a better film than what I have heard of it. It is like another version of 'The Constant Gardener'. About a man who never understood his wife, feels guilty while finding some answers after her depart. During his attempt to kill himself in the famous Aokigahara forest, also known as suicide forest, he meets a Japanese man who got lost and befriends. While trying to help him find his way out, they face some unexpected obstacles. Beside, the flashback stories were narrated alongside, piece by piece to reveal earlier account. From the director of 'Good Will Hunting', the film is about the survival and fighting the loss and depression. Too slow, so patience is the key to watch it. A bit long narrative, but in the end it is worth. The developments were not that interesting, though the final twist which is kind of simple and predictable makes us a little happier. Great cast, particularly McConaughey, though Naomi and Watanabe in the fine supportive roles. For me this is a good film. I think some people, as well as the film critics got all wrong. I'm not saying it is a must see, but it is a different and a decent film even for the average people. The problem with this is the weak screenplay. Familiarity is the right word here, because you could foresee the direction of the progression before every scene. Still, the performances, beautiful locations, all make it an alright film. Normal people should think twice before try it, but the film fanatics should not hesitate to go for it. That means this film is for the selected viewers. 7/10

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