Film: Departures (Okuribito)
Cast includes: Masahiro Motoki (Rampo), Tsutomu Yamazaki (Tampopo)
Director: Yojiro Takita (Chikan Densha)
Genre: Drama, Japanese with subtitles (2008)
In brief: When his career as a cellist comes to an abrupt end, Daigo has no idea how he’s going to earn a living. You can’t live in Tokyo for very long without a job. His wife Mika suggests that they move back to Daigo’s hometown, where they can live for free in the house he inherited from his mother. That will give Daigo time to look for a job. An ad in the local paper looks like just the right job, “No experience necessary.” It looks like it might be a travel agency… “Departures.”
When Daigo goes to the interview, Sasaki San hires him right away… at a high salary… cash in hand… in advance. What’s it involve, anyway? Is it illegal? It turns out to be a job as an apprentice encoffiner. In Japan, before bodies are put into coffins, they are lovingly prepared for departure. This used to be done by families, but now it’s done by professionals in a formal ceremony. It’s the family’s chance to give the departed a proper send-off.
While the topic of this film is serious… even morbid at times, it’s cut with humor and warmth. As expected, Daigo is repulsed at first by the idea. He learns to tolerate it, and eventually, learns to be proud of his new profession. The film explores the idea of death as a natural part of the life cycle and the importance of the encoffening process in closing the circle. Daigo has some circles in his own family history that still need closure, too.
As the winner of the Academy Award 2009 Best Foreign Film, Departures seems like an unlikely story topic. There are many aspects of the story that seem a bit strange for an American audience. But as it unfolds, we come to appreciate this foreign ritual, and by the end, we’re totally in tune with its healing qualities. Fans of the 1985 classic film, Tampopo will recognize the noodle cowboy, playing the role of the master encoffener. I can’t say I’d go out of my way to see this one a second time, but once I got into it, I found it interesting and satisfying.
2 popped kernels
Popped kernels for being interesting. Unpopped kernels for taking me to a place I didn't really want to be.
