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MOVIES
WRONG!
It refers to people who have recently deceased, and are to be prepared for entering their coffin and subsequent cremation. In the Japanese culture, with land being so scarce, cremation is the preferred method of disposing of corpses.
Joyce: Young Daigo, exquisitely played by Masahiro Motoki, is overwhelmed when his beloved orchestra where he has been a full time cellist, is suddenly dissolved due to lack of funds and has to find another job. He and his wife leave Tokyo and go back to their old hometown where, it turns out there aren't many jobs and soon finds he's a "Nokanshi" or an encoffineer, similar to an undertaker but not quite.
Rico: You can only imagine his first day on the job. It's certainly dark humor, but I found tears running down my cheeks - from laughter, not sadness.
Joyce: The whole procedure is full of tender, reverent ritual, beautifully executed, as performed by his middle aged boss, obviously a master. No CSI type scenes here.
Rico: This is a delicately handled film detailing, and I mean detailing the beautiful ceremony of preparing the deceased for their departure from this world. And it's done in full view of the family. It recalled the lovely precise Japanese Tea Ceremony.
Joyce: There is enough humor and reality to make this an enriching - even enjoyable experience, strange as it may seem. The film is handled with dignity and should be a worthwhile viewing experience for all.
Rico: What could easily be very morbid film is instead a lovely celebration of life told in a sensitive, loving and beautiful way. I truly wish we could say goodbye to our loved ones in this manner.
Joyce: I truly loved this unusual and courageous film. Every character is beautifully played at perfect pitch. No one rings a sour note. This is a film for grown ups that I wish everyone would see.
Rico: It should be noted that "Departures" won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at this year's Academy Awards. That being the case, the film is subtitled very clearly and very easily followed. Most of the experience is visual, so the foreign language should not be a problem for anyone.
It's a moving, beautiful experience and strongly recommended.
It give it an enthusiastic **** and green light!
Joyce: definitely ****
Film: Departures
Cast Includes: Masahiro Motoki, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ryoko Hirosue, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Kimiko Yo, Takashi Sasano
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 2:11
Rated: PG-13
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