Are we truly prepared for death? Not just for ourselves, but for the loss of those we love? How do we navigate such a heavy, inevitable part of life? Yuxuan Ethan Wu’s short documentary, ‘Death Education’, grapples with these profound questions with quiet grace. It takes viewers on a brief emotional journey with a high school class in China having an unconventional lesson.

High school teacher Qian Jianbo has formed a tradition of honouring the dead by giving the unclaimed deceased a burial during the celebration of traditional Tomb Sweeping Day. The film follows him and a group of students as they go to bury unnamed ashes at a public cemetery, a practice as solemn as it is thought-provoking.

From the outset, the film captures your attention with haunting simplicity. The first three minutes unfold in silence, interrupted only by a voiceover posing a chilling question. “What do ashes look like?” This moment sends shivers down your spine, setting the tone for a deeply introspective experience.

As we see the students prepare to visit the funeral home, their sense of purpose is felt. They remind themselves of the weight of their task. It is not a casual excursion and they are not going there to have fun. They remind themselves that they are required to be respectful to the deceased. The camera lingers on their thoughtful expressions and hesitant steps, drawing us into their vulnerability.

The cremation process itself is laid bare in the opening minutes of the film. As an entire human life is reduced to a small pile of dried, broken bones. A pile that is only enough to fill up a small sack bag.  It’s a stark and humbling image, made all the more poignant by the filmmaker’s reflection on the phrase “unnamed ashes.” These words echo throughout the film. This forces you to wonder. Who were these people? What were their stories? Were they unloved? Or simply forgotten?

The film’s solemn atmosphere is masterfully crafted. The cinematography embraces natural light and hand-held movements, creating an organic intimacy that mirrors the fragility of life. Exterior shots are accompanied by the soft ambience of nature. The gentle whisper of the wind, the rustling trees, and the occasional chirping of insects. It’s as though life itself is whispering in the silence, reminding us of its fleeting beauty.

As the film ends, we learn that since 2018, Teacher Qian and his students have participated in the communal burial of 189 unidentified individuals. This act of compassion speaks volumes about the importance of acknowledging even the most overlooked lives. By introducing his students to the concept of death, Qian opens up conversations that many of us avoid, encouraging us to reflect on life, loss, and legacy.

‘Death Education’ is a quiet yet powerful reminder of what it means to confront mortality. Its delicate pacing and reflective tone invite viewers to sit with discomfort and, perhaps, emerge with a deeper appreciation for the lives we live and the ones we might leave behind someday.

Using its 13 minutes to hold your attention, the film doesn’t offer easy answers but rather challenges us to think. Perhaps, this isn’t just a film about death; it’s a lesson in humanity.

Rating: 4/5 stars