A co-production between Malaysia's Astro Shaw[b] and HBO Asia, the film was filmed on location in Malaysia. It premiered in 2019 in South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, 16 January 2020 in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore, and 24 July 2021 in Japan.[1]
During the Japanese occupation of Malaya, local women Teoh Yun Ling and her sister are imprisoned and tortured in a brutal Japanese war camp. Yun Ling escapes, but her sister and all other prisoners perish.
After the war, Yun Ling has become a Supreme Court judge based in Kuala Lumpur. She is involved in prosecuting war crimes, including from Japanese soldiers. The location of her former internment camp is never discovered. Haunted by her sister's death, she travels to Cameron Highlands during the Malayan Emergency to meet her friend Frederick, whose family have a tea plantation. Frederick introduces her to Japanese gardener Nakamura Aritomo, who resides there and is building a Yugiri, or "garden of evening mists". Yun Ling asks him to build a Japanese garden to fulfil a promise she had made to her deceased sister. Arimoto initially refuses, but later agrees to teach her the techniques of Japanese gardening so that she may build one herself. He also requests that he create a complex full-body horimono (Japanese tattoo) on Yung Ling's back. As the two undergo hard labour to develop the garden, they develop a romantic relationship. One night, communist guerrillas enter the house and attempt to kidnap the couple, but they escape.
It is later revealed that Aritomo was a Japanese agent tasked with hiding looted treasures in Malaysia, but is conflicted about his involvement. He hides information on the treasure's location in Yung Ling's tattoo and in the garden in Cameron Highlands.
Japanese officials visit and request Aritomo return to Japan to tend for the Emperor's garden. Yun Ling recognises one of the officials from the internment camp.
The novel and film is set in Cameron Highlands, where most of the scenes are filmed. In the picture are tea plantation hills.
The film is based on the 2012 English-language novel of same name, written by Tan Twan Eng. The book was well received and won the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize.[2] In 2014, it was announced that the novel would be adapted by Malaysian film company Astro Shaw and HBO Asia, with support from National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS).[3][4] The film was originally to be written and directed by Malaysian filmmakers.
The production team members are from Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Australia and the United Kingdom.[7] Principal photography started in July 2018.[8] Filming took place in Malaysia, including Cameron Highlands. The internment camp and small gardens in the film are constructed.[9] 90% of the dialogue in the film is English, with some Cantonese, Japanese and Malay language.
The film was released on 29 November 2019 in Taiwan, 26 December 2019 in Hong Kong, and 16 January 2020 in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.
The Malaysian version of the film is 1 hour and 53 minutes, which is slightly different from the international version of 2 hours. It is reported that the Malaysian version has an affectionate scene cut by the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia, and some scenes have been slightly adjusted, the film is still overall complete and the cut does not affect the plot.[10]
Reception
Critical reception
The film received generally positive reviews from critics.[11][12]The Hollywood Reporter called it a "sturdy, well-mounted historical romance."[13] In South China Morning Post, James Marsh gave a more mixed review, particularly criticising the dialogue.[14]
Accolades
At the 56th Golden Horse Awards, the film was nominated for nine awards, and won one award. It was nominated for Best Feature Film, Best Director for Tom Lin, Best Leading Actress for Lee Sinje, it won the Best Makeup and Costume Design.[15]
