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Canopy is a 2013 war drama film directed and co-written by Aaron Wilson. It is an Australian-Singaporean co-production, starring Khan Chittenden, Morning Tzu-Yi Mo, and Yoshi Yamamoto. The film is set in 1942 during the World War II Japanese invasion of Singapore. The movie opens with Lieutenant Jim (Khan Chittenden) crash-landing in the jungles of Singapore after his plane is shot down by the Japanese. As he wakes up, he realizes that he has been separated from his fellow soldiers and must survive on his own in the dense forest. Slowly, he starts to make his way through the jungle, avoiding various traps and obstacles set up by the Japanese army.

The narrative of the film revolves around Jim's journey through the jungle and his encounters with various characters. The film has very little dialogue, but it is not without emotion. The audience gets glimpses of Jim's inner turmoil, fear and loneliness. One of the key relationships Jim has is with Seng (Morning Tzu-Yi Mo), a Chinese refugee who is also trying to evade the Japanese. The two form a connection through the significant silences in the first few seconds of their meeting.

Seng and Jim's survival is intertwined, and the bond between these two characters is the center of the film. Despite limited communication levels, they end up feeling incredibly connected throughout the film. In a world where they're surrounded by destruction and war, this connection proves to be an essential source of hope for both of them. Their bond represents how even in the darkest of times, people can find a ray of light.

The cinematography of the film is a standout feature. The lush, green jungle landscapes are breathtaking and well captured on camera, and they create a beautiful stark contrast to the devastation caused by war. The visual storytelling that Aaron Wilson uses to move the plot along is fantastic, every camera shot is perfectly timed and works towards building the overall atmosphere of the movie.

Not only does the film create its own unique sense of dread, of endlessness and foreboding, it also has impeccable pacing. The dedication to the integration with the environment is notable; the audience can hear the sounds of the jungle: birds, animals, and insects. There is hardly any score, which lends an aura of authenticity as the characters feel like they are in the middle of a wartime situation, struggling to survive.

Another crucial on-screen character is the jungle, which serves as a force to reckon with that's beyond the daily struggles of the characters. Right from the opening sequence, the audience gets to understand the challenges that soldiers who had to resort to the jungle for survival had to deal. The overgrowth, the unpredictable weather conditions and the harsh animals create an almost inescapable ambiance.

Moreover, the struggle for survival in a world dominated by war and destruction is well portrayed throughout the film. The audience sees a battle from a unique perspective, one of specific individuals stranded in an environment beyond their control. These survivors live moment-to-moment, faced with the likelihood of being captured and executed at any point. The film's premise is thus both relatable and chilling.

The lack of dialogue can be considered a strength of the storytelling because it helps establish how little Jim understands Seng, and vice versa. Even without words, visuals between them are well contrived to ensure that their bond isn't lost in the intrigue of the lack of communication.

In conclusion, Canopy is a visually stunning, emotionally charged film that delves into the horrors of war and the strength of the human spirit. Despite containing minimal dialogue, the film is absorbing and keeps the audience engaged throughout. The movie offers a rare, subjectively gloomy perspective on the personal struggles that soldiers face in unconventional warfare.

Canopy is a 2014 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9 and a MetaScore of 64.