Opening today in select theatres in Toronto and Vancouver is the Academy Award Winner for Best Foreign Language Film Departures, a Japanese film about a cellist turned undertaker.
When the orchestra he plays in disbands, Daigo moves with his wife back to his hometown. After answering an ad for what he thinks is a travel agency, he eventually accepts the work performing “Nokanshi” – an encoffining ceremony where the body is cleansed and prepared in an elegant and compassionate manner in front of the relatives. Even though Daigo enjoys his work, his wife and others feel differently.
One of the themes explored is how society deals with death and how those who find themselves working in the industry deal with people who would rather not associate with them. My dad owned a shop that finished casket handles before they were put on the coffins – so while he was never in direct contact with the deceased, the film kind of personally resonates with me. I was proud of my dad and had no qualms in letting people know what he did – course kids were like, “Your dad deals with dead people!” Even a friend who I saw at the film’s preview screening looked at me shocked when I told him what my father did.
Nevertheless, Daigo trudges ahead despite who those disassociate with him based on his occupation to find a deeper meaning of life and death.
Directed by Yojiro Takita, one of the Japan’s most accomplished directors puts his subtle comedic flavour. It’s a quiet, quirky film that is by no means a downer. It’s entertaining and light enough without losing its spirit (no pun intended).
