Departures (2008)
A Japanese drama about a cellist who discovers unexpected grace and meaning in the ancient art of preparing the dead.
Departures - Movie Information
- Original Title: おくりびと
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Yojiro Takita
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 2h 10m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 13, 2008 (Japan - G), September 13, 2008 (United States - PG-13), December 4, 2009 (United Kingdom), November 26, 2009 (Germany - 12), June 3, 2009 (France), May 23, 2009 (Brazil - 12), April 9, 2010 (Italy), October 30, 2008 (South Korea - 12)
- Alternative Titles: 送行者，礼仪师之奏 (CN), Despedidas (ES), Départs (CA), Okuribito (JP), 굿' 바이 (KR), A Partida (BR), Departures (US)
- Production Companies: TBS, Amuse Soft Entertainment, MBS, Sedic, Shogakukan, TBS Radio, Shochiku, dentsu, The Asahi Shimbun
- Production Countries: Japan
Departures - Plot
Daigo, a cellist, is laid off from his orchestra and moves with his wife back to his small hometown where the living is cheaper. Thinking he's applying for a job at a travel agency he finds he's being interviewed for work with departures of a more permanent nature – as an undertaker's assistant.
Departures - Trailer
Watch the official trailer for this award-winning Japanese drama:
The gift of last memories.
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Departures - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yojiro Takita
Main Cast
- Masahiro Motoki
- Hirosue Ryoko
- Tsutomu Yamazaki
- Kimiko Yo
- Tetta Sugimoto
- Toru Minegishi
- Tatsuo Yamada
- Yukiko Tachibana
- Yukari Tachibana
- Genjitsu Shu
Writers
- Kundo Koyama
Producers
- Toshiaki Nakazawa
- Ichirô Nobukuni
- Toshihisa Watai
Departures - FAQs
Did Departures win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film?
Yes. Departures won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 81st Academy Awards in 2009, making it the first Japanese film to win in that category since 1955. It also won the Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year.
Is Departures based on a true story or memoir?
Departures is loosely inspired by Coffinman, a memoir by Shinmon Aoki, a real-life nokanshi (encoffiner) in Japan. Screenwriter Kundo Koyama adapted the source material significantly, creating an original narrative centered on a cellist rather than following the memoir's events directly.
Where can you watch Departures online?
Departures is available to rent or buy on Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It can also be streamed for free on Plex and the Plex Channel. Availability may vary by region, so checking JustWatch for current options in your area is recommended.
What is Departures about?
Departures follows Daigo, a cellist who loses his job when his Tokyo orchestra disbands. He returns to his rural hometown and mistakenly accepts a position as a nokanshi, an encoffiner who ritually prepares bodies for burial. The film explores themes of death, dignity, family estrangement, and finding unexpected meaning in work.
Who are the main actors in Departures?
Departures stars Masahiro Motoki as Daigo Kobayashi, the cellist-turned-encoffiner, alongside Hirosue Ryoko as his wife Mika and Tsutomu Yamazaki as his enigmatic employer Sasaki. Kimiko Yo and Tetta Sugimoto round out the principal supporting cast.
How long is Departures and what is its age rating?
Departures has a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It is rated PG-13 in the United States. The film deals with themes of death and grief in a thoughtful, non-graphic manner, making it appropriate for most teenage and adult audiences.
Who directed Departures and who composed the score?
Departures was directed by Yojiro Takita, a Japanese filmmaker known for blending emotional drama with genre elements. The film's celebrated score was composed by Joe Hisaishi, the legendary musician best known for his long collaboration with Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki.
How was Departures received by critics and audiences?
Departures was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its emotional depth, restrained direction, and Masahiro Motoki's nuanced central performance. Critics highlighted its sensitive portrayal of death as a dignified ritual. It earned strong audience scores and became a major international art-house success following its Academy Award win.
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