Departures (12A)

Fascinating, surprisingly funny, wise and profound winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film 2009

Director: Yôjirô Takita
Starring: Masahiro Motoki, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ryoko Takizawa
Japan, 2008, 2 hours 11 minutes, subtitles

Wed 10 March 11.00am & 8.15pm, Thursday 11 8.30pm The Courtyard Hereford

A wonderfully performed character study of a man who finds fulfillment and a depth of human connection in the most unlikely profession. After losing his job, Daigo Kobayashi moves back to his hometown. He answers a classified ad entitled "Departures" believing it to be for a travel agency only to discover that the job is actually for a "Nokanshi", someone who prepares bodies for entry into the next life. Little by little he warms to his new job, endowing the elaborate funeral ceremonies with grace and humanity. A beautiful, occasionally comical reflection on death, that touches delightfully on the joys and wonder of life.