The Sea of Trees trailer: Matthew McConaughey contemplates life and death in Japan

The film The Sea of Trees, directed by Gus Van Sant, has Matthew McConaughey starring as a professor named Arthur Brennan, who travels to Japan to reflect on his relationship with his wife, Joan (Naomi Watts). There, he meets a stranger named Takumi (Ken Watanabe), and the two men find themselves bonding over discussions of love, death, and spirituality. The trailer takes us through the marriage between  Arthur and Joan, which seems to be at its lowest point. After his wife is diagnosed with cancer, Arthur travels to Japan to die in the infamous Aokigahara forest at the foot of Mount Fuji, where many people have committed suicide. The problem with the trailer, and seemingly the film (the movie was criticised at Cannes Film Festival 2016) is that it plays overused Hollywood cliches. Why do you need to go to Japan to contemplate life and death? Aren’t there any places to die in America? This seems to be a notoriously invisible aspect of white washing which enraged Fresh Off The Boat star Constance Wu to speak out on white washing in Hollywood. Also Read: Watch: Matt Damon is a Chinese warrior who battles dragons in 'The Great Wall' Asia seems to be Hollywood’s favourite place for spirituality and inner reflection, as explored by movies of the category of Eat, Pray and Love. The other cliche is McConaughey’s Arthur Brennan being portrayed as a stereotypical intellectual who is heartless and lost connection with his wife. Not only does McConaughey seem uncomfortable with the role, the trailer doesn’t leave you rooting for the protagonist. Here’s the trailer:

The release date of the film is yet to be announced.