Film: Okuribito (2009)

By now, you probably think that all I do is watch movies. And its sadly true--but NYC delayed April showers by a month, leaving May rather damp...and perfect for tea drinking and movie watching! Winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2009, Okuribito, or Departures as its euphemistically known in English, is a charming and tender movie about (surprise) the cycles of life and the challenges of death. It is a simple story, set in the small town of Sakata just outside of the frenetic and manic Tokyo. It follows the life of Daigo Kobayashi, a sacked cellist from the Tokyo orchestra who returns with his wife, Mika, to his place of birth in search of employment, and perhaps more poignantly, in search of direction in his life. Unexpectedly (and resistant, at first) Diago finds work at a small family run encoffinment firm as an undertaker. Without any other prospects ahead, Daigo accepts the job, but is unable to tell his wife due to the embarrassment and shame of such a 'disgusting profession'. Through the course of the movie, Diago-- the alway dedicated and diligent worker--begins to take pride in the process, precision, ceremony and the art of his work. It is through his sometimes comic, sometimes sorrowful journey that Diago find true understanding to life and death.

Super kawaii!! (So cute!)