The Forest of Lost souls is a Portuguese independent film starring Daniela Love, Jorge Mota, Mafalda Banquart, and Lígia Roque. When Irene (Lília Lopez) commits suicide in the forest she leave a broken family behind. Ricardo (Jorge Mota), Irene’s father, is filled with sadness and loss that he decides to seek the same fate his daughter faced. While finding a spot to commit suicide he runs into an unlikely ally, Carolina (Daniela Love).

Carolina becomes Ricardo’s guide in his suicide attempt. The meeting between these two unlikely people is poetic to say the least. A young woman wondering the Forest of Lost Souls and an older man disappointed in the outcome of his life for a strange bond. The topic of suicide is normalized in the first half of the film and bring attention to the realism of suicide being unbiased. Whether it be a young woman in the prime of her life or an older man tired of his, there is no discrimination when it comes to ending one’s life.

The film is heavily influenced by depression. We are all depressed in some way but Carolina seems to deal with her depression in a “helpful” way. She is painted to be a merciful “Angel of Death.” She carries out what others cannot do for themselves; she rids the world of sadness. Carolina’s story is a very complex one and would love to dive deeper into her character. Her character is beautifully written.

The Forest of Lost souls in a beautifully crafted film. Making the film black and white, and striping it of all color gives the film such a deeper meaning. It gives a new meaning to “the world isn’t always black and white” because maybe it is. The cinematography captured the sadness of the forest. A lonely forest can be a beautiful sadness. The Forest of Lost Souls is a spectacularly brilliant film that begs to be felt.