MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for thematic material.
Run time: 130 min
I didn't know that a job of taking care of the deceased in Japan was considered as a taboo or as a low caste which can make your longtime friend doesn't want to know you at all. I mean what is so taboo about it anyway? It is normal and everyone needs it right? However this film open my mind on another culture.
Daigo (Masahiro Motoki) is a 30 something ex cellist who had to take the job of 'encoffinment', Japanese way in dealing with the deceased in a very respectful way. He live with his wife, Mika (Ryoko Hirosue), in his dead mother's house in a beautiful Japanese backwater. He needs money, that is why he took the job.
Working for a quiet undertaker (Tsutomu Yamazaki), Daigo learns more about life and death by preparing so many 'clients' for their journey to the hereafter. At first Daigo felt disgusted by his job but as time goes by he began to enjoy it. As a film about death, there's no need to be depressed since some humor is being injected lightly here. Perhaps to hide the character's fear or at least adding some color.
This film is very simple, the story, acting and cinematography are not glamorous. But the simple story telling is the real power behind this film. It is moving and beautiful at the same time. No wonder it nails Best Foreign Picture at the Oscar.
Run time: 130 min
I didn't know that a job of taking care of the deceased in Japan was considered as a taboo or as a low caste which can make your longtime friend doesn't want to know you at all. I mean what is so taboo about it anyway? It is normal and everyone needs it right? However this film open my mind on another culture.
Daigo (Masahiro Motoki) is a 30 something ex cellist who had to take the job of 'encoffinment', Japanese way in dealing with the deceased in a very respectful way. He live with his wife, Mika (Ryoko Hirosue), in his dead mother's house in a beautiful Japanese backwater. He needs money, that is why he took the job.
Working for a quiet undertaker (Tsutomu Yamazaki), Daigo learns more about life and death by preparing so many 'clients' for their journey to the hereafter. At first Daigo felt disgusted by his job but as time goes by he began to enjoy it. As a film about death, there's no need to be depressed since some humor is being injected lightly here. Perhaps to hide the character's fear or at least adding some color.
This film is very simple, the story, acting and cinematography are not glamorous. But the simple story telling is the real power behind this film. It is moving and beautiful at the same time. No wonder it nails Best Foreign Picture at the Oscar.
1 comment:
i just watched the movie a couple days ago,
the story quite simple,
but nice...
all i can say then is,
whoever you are,
be the best,
whatever happened,
there will be a reason...
:)
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