A Will For The Woods

"A Will For The Woods" is a thought-provoking and ethereal documentary that explores an alternative choice for those looking towards the inevitability of death - green burial. Released in 2014, the film is directed by an innovative quartet of filmmakers: Amy Browne, Jeremy Kaplan, Tony Hale, and Brian Wilson. Centered around the life and impending death of Clark Wang, a psychiatrist and musician, this nuanced piece attempts to highlight the beauty and peace found in a death that leaves a lighter footprint on the Earth.

The film opens with a gently surreal vision of a wooded burial ground, studded with wildflowers, sheltered under a canopy of tall trees, and softly illuminated by sunlight's dappled rays. This serene location does not carry the austere and ominous silence that traditional cemeteries often possess but rather echoes a feeling of tranquility. The looming concept of death somehow feels less intimidating with the promise that one's final resting place will coincide harmoniously with nature.

A crucial and moving character that guides the film's narrative is Clark Wang. After being diagnosed with lymphoma, he struggled with the knowledge of the toxic burden his conventional burial may impose on the environment; embalming fluids seeping into the water, coffins using a non-renewable wood source, and the constant need for territories to be cleared for burial grounds. Wang's passion to preserve the planet compelled him to explore the less traveled path of green burials and advocate for their significance.

With Wang's personal journey at its heart, "A Will For The Woods" explores green burials as an ecological and spiritual alternative to standard burial practices. Green burials involve the body being returned to the Earth in a biodegradable coffin or shroud, avoiding embalming chemicals and concrete burial vaults. The end result is a low-impact burial that allows the body to naturally decompose and provide nourishment for the surrounding ecosystem.

The green burial movement encourages the conversion of commercial cemeteries into natural burial grounds or shared community space. Its advocates assert that this transformation also holds the potential to renew our relationship with death, viewing it not as a cessation but as a superlative expression of the circle of life.

Throughout the film, the camera follows Wang as he makes arrangements for his own green burial, works to inspire others to consider this eco-friendly alternative, and champions for the protection of a forest in North Carolina for this very purpose. Despite being in the twilight of his own life, Wang exudes a sense of vitality and urgency as he passionately advocates for our responsibility to protect and cherish our planet even in death.

In contrast to the many projects documenting environmental preservation in the face of urban expansion, pollution, or deforestation, "A Will For The Woods" offers a unique perspective on conservation that synthesizes the inevitable reality of the human life cycle with the need to safeguard our natural world. The radiant legacy that Wang, amidst his dealing with terminal illness, continues to imbue gives the audience a profound sense of hope and possibility for future change.

Filmmakers Browne, Kaplan, Hale, and Wilson expertly weave together these elements of biodegradability, metaphysics and environmentalism into a sensitive yet striking narrative. Employing beautiful cinematography and impactful storytelling, they have created an immersive and inspiring viewing experience that invites audiences to examine preconceived notions on death, funeral practices, and our parting impact on Earth.

The filmmakers successfully integrate various interviews with pioneers in the green burial field and those embracing this method for their loved ones - offering a fuller, richer context and wider understanding of this movement. Furthermore, the haunting score and contemplative pacing evoke a meditative mood that underscores the intimate profundities of death and our connection to it.

"A Will For The Woods" is not just about dying, but rather about living thoughtfully and leaving the world unmarred as possible in our passing. It encourages dialogue on the shadowy topic of death and promotes an eco-friendly option for our final journey. Beyond its cinematic value, the documentary turns out to be an affecting testament to personal conviction, the complex intimacy between man and nature, and our potential capacity to honor death in a way that cherishes and perpetuates life.