Treeless Mountain

Rating:   Two little girls are left with their aunt, who they hardly know, while their mother goes to find and reconcile with their father.   Actually, he might not be their father, but he’s the best chance they have for a father.   Mother gives them a piggy bank, and tells them that she’ll return when its full.   The aunt doesn’t seem very interested in them; she’s not exactly abusive or mean, but she’s not very nice, either.   The girls watch the piggy bank, and the bus on which their mother left.

There’s not much more than that to “Treeless Mountain.”  It suceeds, in as far as it does, because it stays unfalteringly close to the childrens’ perspective.   There are lots of close-ups of their young faces, as well as low angle shots – we see the world from a six year old’s perspective.

“Treeless Mountain” is reminiscent of a few other Asian films; “Nobody Knows” and “Grave of the Fireflies.”   Unlike those, it remains gentle; no children die this time around.   But as far as trauma goes, when you’re six, nothing could be more traumatic than the sudden absence of your mother.   And “Treeless Mountain” captures that – quietly, gently – perfectly well.