Departures (Okuribito)

Recently I watched this 1 Japanese movie - Departures ( おくりびと / Okuribito ) and I would say it is by far one of the best Japanese movie I've ever watched and would recommend it to those of you who like to watch Japanese movie of the same genre.

Eventually I accidentally pick up this movie as when I bought 2 months ago, I really ran out of idea of which movies to buy... lately the used to be wonderful Hong Kong studio have produced less (fun) movies and I have to admit that over the years (since the great 80's and 90's era) the popularity and the charm of Hong Kong movies start to decline while Korean drama and movies nowadays start to become popular in East and South East Asia specially started by that "Gaeul donghwa" aka Endless Love / Autumn in My Heart.

Lately I always complained about the lack of great movies from Hong Kong and I also once a while complained about the lack of great anime from Japan as well. Minus the Gundam anime, Nodame Cantabile is one of those anime that I can like so much after Honey and Clover few years back - both from JC Staff.

In fact the only reason why I suddenly pick this movie from the dvd shop is simply because I saw the wording "2009 Academy Awards: Best Foreign Language Film" on the DVD cover and simply based on that I thought, well, this surely a unique movie as otherwise it won win any award from Hollywood. That was 2 months ago in March 2010. I just put this DVD somewhere near my Sony PS2 and suddenly last Sunday, I decided to finally watch it and hell I think it's one hell of a movie.

The genre of this movie is basically Drama so if you don't like such genre obviously you wont find it interesting at all.

And this movie runs for slightly over 2 hours (131 minutes) so make sure you planned your time.


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The story is about a guy (Daigo Kobayashi) who suddenly lost his job as musician and have to let go his precious cello and go back to his hometown (somewhere far from Tokyo I guess) and start all over again and from there the story start to get better and better.


Note: I do not claim any rights on the above screenshot. All images are copyrighted by their owners. Non-free media use rationale for Departures (film).

In short he basically get a job as someone who do the cleaning job and some ritual stuff for the deceased, one way or another related to those "undertaker business". Obviously not many willing to do such job. The salary is good though - 500,000 yen per month (about roughly SGD 7,400 or USD 5,300). I personally don't mind to do such job with that kind of pay... but maybe because I'm a greedy person. Money is everything, money = new gundam/new figma/new camera.... hahahahaha.

After some struggle he slowly started to like the job but his wife and friend apparently dislike him for doing such "dirty job". Because of this dispute, the wife left him temporarily for a few months - though later she somehow return.... see I told you, money talks, money is everything - though that (money) is not the reason why the wife come back.

As a side note, the 4 photos from one of the movie scene below is not a promotion for KFC... but surely when I watch the movie, on this part, it make me wanted to eat some fried chickens from KFC....





Note: I do not claim any rights on the above screenshot. All images are copyrighted by their owners. Non-free media use rationale for Departures (film).

One day, his long time neighbor, an old lady, past away and he have to do his job but this time his wife and friend were there to witness the real greatness of his profession handling the dead and from that point onwards those who against him in the past suddenly realize how honorable his job is and they started to respect him for it.


Note: I do not claim any rights on the above screenshot. All images are copyrighted by their owners. Non-free media use rationale for Departures (film).

And few more surprises on the plot awaits after that but overall though it's kind of touching to see the gloomy situation when Daigo perform his work here and there (handling the dead) but somehow despite that, I also satisfied watching Daigo performing his duty delicately with full dedication and respect. Slowly and surely he is getting better at the job that at first was so impossible for him.



Note: I do not claim any rights on the above screenshot. All images are copyrighted by their owners. Non-free media use rationale for Departures (film).

The music arrangement is certainly top class. As someone who like classical music, I certainly appreciate the beauty of the music score composed by the magnificent Joe Hishaishi. The music and the movie really move as one and add the much needed emotional boost when you watch the movie.


Note: I do not claim any rights on the above screenshot. All images are copyrighted by their owners. Non-free media use rationale for Departures (film).

The cinematography is excellent and I love the beautiful scenery of the filming locations - somewhere on the beautiful country side of Japan.



Note: I do not claim any rights on the above screenshot. All images are copyrighted by their owners. Non-free media use rationale for Departures (film).

According to Wikipedia, the film was ten years in the making. Motoki (the protagonist) studied the art of 'encoffinment' at first hand from a mortician, and how to play a cello for the earlier parts of the movie. The director attended funeral ceremonies in order to understand the feelings of bereaved families.

Overall, I still think this is one of the best Japanese movie I've ever watched and again I would recommend it to all of you. One thing for sure, I will remember this movie for a long time just like those GodFather movies...

If I have to to give any rating to this movie, it's an easy 9.9 out of 10.