Romance,Drama
United Kingdom,Malaysia
The Garden of Evening Mists is a 2019 Malaysian drama film directed by Tom Shu-Yu Lin and based on the novel of the same name by Tan Twan Eng. The story is set in the 1950s in British Malaya, where a young woman named Yun Ling Teoh (played by Lee Sinje) seeks solace in a quiet life after surviving the horrors of a Japanese internment camp during World War II.
Yun Ling retires to the Cameron Highlands, where she finds work as a secretary to a retired judge. She is determined to build a memorial garden for her sister, who died in the internment camp, and seeks out the help of a mysterious Japanese gardener named Aritomo (played by Hiroshi Abe). Despite her initial hostility towards him, Yun Ling gradually develops a deep bond with Aritomo, who teaches her the art of Japanese gardening and reveals secrets from his past.
As Yun Ling and Aritomo work together on the garden, they form a deep and complex relationship that is tested by the lingering scars of war and their own personal demons. Along the way, they also encounter a cast of eccentric characters, including an Englishman who is obsessed with tea and a Japanese expat who is trying to make amends for his past.
The Garden of Evening Mists is a poignant and beautifully shot film that explores themes of memory, forgiveness, and the healing power of nature. It received critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising the performances of Lee Sinje and Hiroshi Abe, as well as the lush cinematography and haunting score.
