Departures (おくりびと) by Takita Yojiro (滝田洋二郎)

[muimui]

I sort of understand why this film won the Academy Awards. Thematically speaking, it's hard to articulate what this film is about: Love? Acceptance? Family? Coping with Death? Finding One's Place in Life? I find the film rather wanting in the above areas, but it is that encoffinment ceremony that acts like a motif throughout the film and touches the heart of every audience and the AA judges. Watching it is akin to watching a tea ceremony. It calms the heart and quiets the mind. Every movement is ever so tender and elegant, and every detail articulates the nokanshi's respect for the deceased and the family of the deceased. It embodies the soul and spirit of the film. It articulates the true meaning of the film without any dialogue and words.

I also like that the protagonist finds time to play his cello between assignments. Even though he's no longer in an orchestra, he isn't giving up his dream (to me at least). He just doesn't need to be in an orchestra to play beautiful music.