The Departure
The procedures after death - thats the theme flowing through the movie. It depicts the male protagonist, who lost his job in an orchestra in Tokyo, and was forced to relocate to his hometown in this rural city of Japan, Yamagata. And inadvertently, he landed himself in a job which is seen as a taboo by many, some sort like a mortician to assist in "the departed". From the initial resistence to gradual respect and acceptance of the job, the film beautifully depicts the peacefulness and professionalism in the after-death rituals. There is no loud bands performing, neither is there an overly solemn air in the wake. What I feel is that of calmness and peace in what it is like to send someone on their last journey.
Being the Best Foreign Film in the Academy this year, I am in marvel of the gentleness of the Japanese film makers in depicting the detailed emotions of the characters, and the finer details the film pay attention to, such as the transition of time through the subtle changes in the seasons, the child impression of a father he had never seen for 30 years through the memories of a pebble, as well as the subtle showcases of traditions and rituals which are about to be lost...
A good film is perhaps one of a combination of fine actors who emotes naturally yet not overly, and a good theme which is close to our lives... and perhaps like life, it does not have to be complicated to feel good...
And how will you want yours to be?
Feeling Morbid~
