The surprise winner of the 2009 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, Departures (Okuribito), is a visually stunning film. This Japanese film is both a reverential and humorous look at death and its taboo place in society. Examining this difficult subject, Departures manages to stay on the right side of sentimentality, but only just.
Departures follows the story of Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki) who after losing his dream job is forced, by financial concerns, to relocate to his childhood home in Yamagata (north-eastern prefecture). Daigo’s concern over moving his wife, Mika (Ryoko Hirosue) from Tokyo and his patriarchal need to provide, sees him answering an extremely vague job ad in the local newspaper, which he wrongly assumes is for a travel agency. Daigo finds himself working as an encoffineer (nokanshi) under the guidance of the lovingly paternal and slightly mischievous Sasaki (Tsutomu Yamazaki). Taking on the unusual task of encoffination (nokanshiki), Daigo finally feels useful; however the social shame of the position threatens to destroy his marriage and old friendships.
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