Directed by Yojiro Takita
When Daigo (Masahiro Motoki) loses his employment as a cellist in Tokyo, he returns to his childhood home that had been vacant since his mother’s death. The move with his wife from modern Japan to an isolated village puts pressure on their relationship, as does his new employment. Thinking he was applying to work at a travel agency ‘working with departures’, he ended up securing a job in the funeral business as an encoffinator. In our society death is hidden away but rather than having a sanitised farewell, the ceremonial encoffinator prepares the body of the deceased in front of the mourners. Taking care that they do not see the naked body, the corpse is washed, dressed, made up and put at peace to be placed in the coffin.
The winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, Departures reminds me of a tea ceremony with its peaceful and meditative mood. The Japanese traditions surrounding death are interesting and, as the film moves through all the seasons of the year, Daigo learns to restore beauty to the departed. Sometimes there are unexpected bumps, such as when he discovers that the young female suicide is in fact a cross-dressing male and the fact that his wife wants him to find a job that does not involve touching dead people, but the film wins over its audience with grace and humour. Over the 130 minutes, the audience gets to learn a greater respect for life and to ponder the finiteness of human relationships.
Departures screens at Somerville (UWA) 7-13 December as part of the Perth International Arts Festival. Because the film festival is sponsored by Lotterywest, there is a Lotto Players deal available for 6 tickets ($76.50) if you’re wanting an interesting Xmas present – see www.perthfestival.com.au for details.
Lezly Herbert
