3 more reviews

1. ›Review - Departures (2008)@sarashew1818d

   

   Okuribito or Departures, released in 2008 is a Japanese drama film directed by Yōjirō Takita and written by Kundō Koyama. The casts of the film are Masahiro Motoki, Ryoki Hirosue, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kimiko Yo and many more. The film won Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (2009), Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year (2009), Asian Film Award for Best Actor (2009) etc.

   Summary of the plot

   A failed career, uncertainty, unable to find his own dream and one mysterious job advertisement led a middle aged man to the possibility of becoming a nōkanshi. The plot only gets more twisted from here.

   Review

   The film portrays The encoffining ritual (called nōkan), a Japanese funeral ritual and the social distance and discriminations toward the nōkanshi (納棺師), people who performed this ritual. In traditional Japanese culture, people who deal with dead bodies are considered “impure” or “unclean” and they have to perform a purifying ritual to wash off the kagare. This point of view created a prejudice against the nōkanshi as their work revolves around the dead.

   

   The ritual performed in the film was astonishing and I never thought, people processing and cleaning a dead bodies for the burial could become a work of art. From the cleaning to putting the make-ups on, the ritual portrayed in the film shows a peaceful, delicate and symmetric harmony. The film is also a good example of showing how death is mostly for the living. Death consumes the dead, the dead disappear from the present, but the living have to live their lives, go through the pain, grief and endure the lose for a very long time.

   I didn’t understand the concept of categorizing the protagonist job as taboo in the film as I’ve never seen or heard of it before, also it didn’t make any sense of showing discriminating attitude towards this particular profession while people should be grateful, but during the watching period I was unaware of the traditional concept.

   

   Favorite quote

   "In ancient times, before humans invented writings, they searched for the stone that resembled their feelings, and gave it to another person. The person who received the stone, read the other person's feelings by the weight and texture."

   Conclusion

   People process grief differently, death is inevitable but I never knew the ritual before sending off the dead to their journey can hold delicacy and aesthetic. The production team had to overcome some obstacles to release the film, but in the end all their hard work finally paid off.

   References

   Cover poster - Source

   Movie shots - Image one Image two

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2. ›Film Review: Departures (2008)@oryans.belt2340d

   

   Review:

   Departures is a Japanese drama directed by Yōjirō Takita and is the second film that I am reviewing that features veteran actor, Tsutomu Yamazaki, this time in a supporting capacity to Masahiro Motoki, who plays the lead character, Daigo. Daigo plays a musician living his dream in Tokyo, playing the cello in a respectable orchestra, but the dream turns to ash when said orchestra is disbanded out of the blue, leaving Daigo unemployed and deep in debt due to the cost of his instrument. Filled with disbelief and sadness, Daigo finds breaking the news to his wife a difficult task, as he feels a certain degree of shame that the promise of a particular lifestyle from a career in music has now been taken away. But his supportive wife, who happens to have a job that can be done anywhere, is nothing but supportive of these new developments, and together the couple decide to move from the expensive, lavish environment that is Tokyo, back to Daigo's hometown, where they take up residence in a house that he inherited from his mother.

   Daigo instantly jumps into the classifieds, looking for new employment opportunities. He comes across a curious advertisement for a job in Departures. Thinking at first that this must have something to do with tourism, Daigo applies and eventually heads off to an interview. He goes on to meet Ikuei Sasaki, an older gentleman who clears up the mystery of what the job entails by informing Daigo the advertisement was a misprint, and that they are not looking for someone to work in departures, but rather to work with the recently departed. To his shock, Daigo learns that the job consists of preparing the bodies of the recently deceased for burial or cremation, and that his title will be that of apprentice to the more experienced manager. Sensing uncertainty, the manager provides good pay and encourages Daigo to give the job a chance.

   

   Given the negative connotations around this kind of work, Daigo feels ashamed to disclose the nature of it to his wife, as he still feels a great deal of dejection as to what he was in Tokyo to where he finds himself presently. But this all starts to change when he gets actively involved in all that the job entails. What he goes onto find is that the act of preparing the dead for their final place of rest is far from the shameful, macabre affair that society would paint it as, but is instead an amazingly elegant, respectful and even poetic craft that requires no small degree of patience, finesse and skill. Daigo, along with the family of the loved one being prepared, are captivated by the poise and care taken in preparing the body by Sasaki, as he cleans, clothes and applies all of the fineries necessary to ensure a memorable and dignified send off. Daigo takes to the job like a fish to water, his background in music providing the virtues required for just such a job, as he carries out his routine in the same way that a musician would play a classical piece, with great discipline, concentration and elegance, moving through his routine with a mesmerizing rhythmic grace.

   

   The theme of death is one that is used affectively in the film, and Takita has done a superb job of playing with it from various angles that work to dispel its negative aura. Its a film that looks to give hope, that shows that death is a natural part of life, and indeed necessary for life, in the same way that mud is necessary for the growth of a plant. While Diago's dream of becoming a world renowned musician died, it gave birth to a new opportunity for personal growth, and while the death of a loved one is difficult, Daigo and Sasaki are given the opportunity to share in something deeply personal with the grieving family and provide a lasting image of a life well lived and full of memory. Of course Daigo's musical ability adds to a beautiful score that underpins the light tone carried through the film, and it hits home with real and relatable relationships between a cast of stunning performers.

   Departures is definitely a film to make a point of watching as far as Japanese cinema is concerned. It is as inspiring as it is moving, promising its viewers that bad times will not last , but will rather lead to new opportunities if we leave ourselves open to them. I cannot help but be reminded of the film Patch Adams, starring the late great Robin Williams, in that it too gave us a new perspective on death, and that it is possible, even desirable to treat it with respect, understanding and even with some humour. A very touching and well executed film that comes highly recommended, I wish you all happy viewing :).

   Watch the Film Here: Departures

   Score: AAA

   Out of 10: 9

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3. ›Departures - Move Review@coldsteem2724d

   

   2008 was a banner year for great films.  Exceptional, original films like Slumdog Millionaire and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button highlighted a year of great film.  Lost in the shuffle (for me) was an outstanding Japanese film called Departures which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2009.  If you are looking for an exceptional foreign language film, I would recommend Departures.

   Departures takes on the delicate issue of death and presents it in a freshly pressed package with razor sharp creases.  A balance of humor that sometimes veers toward the dark side and powerful emotional appeals are delivered through the focused lens of Director Yojiro Takita.  Takita manages to pull together some remarkable performances, sharp cinematography and a touching, compelling story written by Kundo Kayama.  The resulting work is nothing short of brilliant.

   

   Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki) began playing cello in Kindergarden.   His limited talent lands him in a symphony that remains solvent just long enough for him to sink 18 million yen into a new instrument.  Kobayashi is ashamed to explain to his wife Mika (Ryoko Hirosue) that the symphony has dissolved.  He also forgot to mention to Miko how much he paid for the cello that he quickly parts with.  To make ends meet, the couple returns to the home Daigo's mother left him when she died two years before. 

   

   Daigo begins searching for work and finds an interesting advertisement in the newspaper for what he believes is a travel agency.  The term departures was mistakenly printed in place of "the departed."  When the terms of the job are explained by the "boss," Mr. Sasaki (Tsutomu Yamazaki), Daigo initially balks.  The money is good, so Daigo relents.  In the process of learning the art of preparing bodies for departure, a parallel is drawn.  Daigo recognizes his own limited talent with the cello, but somehow finds the fulfillment he lacks in the artistry of the departure ceremony.  The subtle rewards hook Daigo on a new career.

   

   Daigo's choices have consequences.  The line of work he has chosen lead people close to him to consider him "unclean."  There is a public shame in the work Daigo does...but a private honor.  The families of the departed recognize the gifts that Daigo delivers in undertaking a task that others find repulsive.  It creates an interesting dichotomy that allows for some humor, but even greater enrichment.  The ceremonies are heart-wrenching, delicate and respectful.  The work also provides an opportunity for Daigo to exorcise his own demons with a rich reward he would have otherwise missed.

   

   Departures is filled with deep imagery and symbolism.  It touches on issues like the circle of life, afterlife, reconciliation and karma.  The elegant symbolism is exquisitely captured through stylish cinematography.  Although subtle at times, the cinematography allows plenty of opportunity for reflection on the resonant themes.  The cello provides one of the symbolic ties between elements of the story and creates a canorous background for the emotionally nourishing story.

   

   Departures exposes the audience to a variety of ceremonies, bringing home the common elements of death and grieving across religious lines and with a variety of familial situations.  Although tense at times, the writing does not rely on situational drama.  There are scenes where the drama is created through the interaction of family members, but other times the drama is subtle and incredibly moving...simply presented through the mechanically artistic movements of the ceremony.  The dialogue and interactions of the characters maintain continuity and avoid cliche.  The characters are multi-faceted with dialogue and characteristics that appear credible.

   

   Because Departures deals with death, the MPAA gave it a PG-13 rating.  The film contains many tense scenes of grieving that may be troubling for young viewers.  These aspects of the film are contextual and necessary.  The rich drama created by examining issues surrounding death are what makes this film special.  It is an incredible homage to the writing and direction.  Aside from death, there is very little in this film that I would consider inappropriate for younger viewers.  I would allow my eleven-year-old to see this film and probably would go a bit younger based on the quality of the film and the delicate manner in which the questionable material is addressed. Run time is two hours, ten minutes.

   

   Departures takes an interesting look at death and issues on the periphery.  The introspective writing provides the audience with plenty of fodder for conversation.  The rich themes and deep symbolism that permeates the film is thought-provoking, stimulating and touching.  Anyone who does not feel this film tug at their heart-strings should engage in their own introspection.  The film offers a bit of dark humor to offset the deeper dramatic issues examined.  It is a well rounded film that unquestionably deserves the accolades it has received.  9/10.

   Trailer and images subject to copyright.

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