Cinema - Sinema

All Screenings Pob Dangosiad

WOW! - Departures

, Japan 2008, 131 mins

Winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film 2009

This is a beautifully 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 to start over. 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 journey with death, this has a lovely light touch that allows one time to reflect on the joys and wonder of life.

Japanese with English subtitles