A Must See: Nadia Litz's The People Garden

Nadia Litz's sophomore film The People Garden is a mysterious film about a young woman going to Japan to break up with her rock-star boyfriend only discover that he's been missing in a haunted forest. A cool film from its opening dance scene to Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill to the performances of the American actresses Dree Hemingway (Starlet) and Pamela Anderson and finally to its tone that recalls the films of Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Just like in Litz's Hotel Congress (2014) a couple goes on a trip to discover what's truly in the darkest place of their hearts. Nadia Litz's The People Garden, along with Matt Johnson's Operation Avalanche, are so far two of the best films of the year. There are some great young filmmakers working today in Toronto.  - D.D.