Okuribito

Departures

30 Nov 2011

Japan

2008

130 min

Director: Yōjirō Takita

This Oscar-winner looks at the Japanese rituals surrounding funerals and how they are perceived by society. Daigo Kobayashi, a young musician, finds himself out of work and ends up working (accidentally) in a funeral home as a “Nakonashi”, making the intricate, and respectful preparations for the journey of the deceased into the next life. Despite the approbation of his family and friends, Daigo gradually begins to appreciate the meaning of what he does and, at the same time, the wonder of life itself. The story moves effortlessly from light comedy to moving drama thanks largely to an excellent cast. Even the details of the undertakers’ rituals themselves are surprisingly absorbing.