“Departures”: A Profound Overture to Life’s Final Notes
The Japanese cinematic masterpiece, “Departures” (おくりびと, Okuribito), initially might appear to tread a path shrouded in solemnity or even morbidity. Yet, beneath this surface expectation, it gracefully unfurls into an exquisitely heartwarming and deeply philosophical journey, exploring the universal intricacies of life, death, and the profound connections that bind humanity. This film, a recipient of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, transcends its subject matter, illuminating the beauty hidden in the most unexpected of professions.
From Cellist to “Nokanshi”: An Unforeseen Calling
The narrative centers on Daigo Kobayashi, a talented cellist whose world crumbles when his orchestra is abruptly disbanded. Burdened by debt and a shattered dream, he reluctantly returns to his quiet hometown in Yamagata with his wife, Mika, seeking any form of alternative employment. A seemingly innocuous classified advertisement for “Assisting Departures” (“Of course, it’s a travel agency!” he optimistically muses) inadvertently leads him into the traditional Japanese realm of “Nokanshi” – a professional ritual mortician.
Initially, Daigo is overcome by revulsion and disgust, finding the nature of the work confronting and profoundly unsettling. However, under the patient and wise tutelage of Ikuei Sasaki, the veteran company president, Daigo slowly but surely sheds his preconceptions. He meticulously learns the intricate art of “encoffinment,” a delicate and sacred ritual performed with immense respect and artistry. This transformation is not merely vocational; it’s a deep personal evolution, as Daigo discovers a dignity and purpose he never anticipated.
Confronting Societal Stigma and Deep-Rooted Prejudices
The funeral industry in many cultures, and particularly the profession of the “Nokanshi,” often faces significant societal stigma and is relegated to the fringes, perceived as unclean or undignified. Daigo swiftly experiences this prejudice firsthand. His own wife, Mika, and his close friends view his chosen career with discomfort, shame, and misunderstanding, unable to grasp the profound respect and artistry inherent in his work. This societal judgment forms a significant emotional hurdle for Daigo, isolating him even from those he loves most.
A Profound Change of Heart: Witnessing Sacred Grace
The true turning point in the film, and for Daigo’s wife, arrives in a deeply poignant scene. Mika, pregnant and distraught by her husband’s profession, intends to leave him. However, circumstances lead her to witness Daigo performing the “encoffinment” ritual for a beloved elderly woman, whose family mourns her loss. What unfolds is not a morbid display, but a meticulous ballet of respectful care: the gentle cleansing of the body, the delicate application of makeup to restore a lifelike tranquility, and the tender arrangement of the deceased, all performed with exquisite precision and profound empathy.
Mika is utterly transformed by this silent ceremony. She suddenly comprehends the inherent sacredness, solemnity, warmth, and profound nobility in her husband’s work. She witnesses how Daigo, with his skilled hands and compassionate heart, facilitates the final, most dignified farewell between the living and the departed. He ensures that loved ones can leave this world with grace and integrity, leaving behind a beautiful and lasting impression for those who grieve. This moment is a revelation, bridging the chasm of misunderstanding with pure, unadulterated respect.
Reconciliation and Redemption: A Father’s Enduring Love
The film reaches its emotional zenith with the news of the death of Daigo’s estranged father, who abandoned him and his mother three decades prior. Consumed by a lifetime of resentment and unresolved pain, Daigo initially—and vehemently—refuses to attend the funeral. However, urged by Mika and his understanding colleagues who have become like family, he reluctantly agrees to undertake the final respects.
During the encoffinment ritual for his father—a service he had never imagined performing—Daigo makes a stunning discovery. Clutched tightly in his father’s hand is a small, smooth stone, a memento he had exchanged with his father in a childhood ritual of silent communication. Overwhelmed by this profoundly intimate revelation, Daigo realizes that, despite their separation, his father had cherished that memory and, by extension, his son, until his very last breath. Witnessing this heartbreaking yet healing reconciliation, Mika smiles, a silent testament to the years of pent-up resentment finally dissolving, making way for true acceptance and peace.
A Symphony of Emotions: Beyond the Threshold
Beyond its profound reverence for the cycle of life and death, “Departures” masterfully portrays the intricate tapestry of human relationships. It delves into the unyielding strength of familial bonds, the comforting embrace of true friendships, and the enduring power of romantic love. The film sensitively explores the multifaceted dimensions of grief – the inconsolable sorrow of a husband after immense loss, the quiet remorse of a son confronting his past.
A significant, almost ethereal, highlight of the film is its evocative and transcendent musical score, composed by Joe Hisaishi. The haunting, expansive melodies of the cello, often played by Daigo himself, resonate throughout the narrative. During moments of heightened emotion or silent contemplation, the music swells, perfectly complementing the film’s poignant themes and seamlessly immersing the viewer in its deeply personal, yet universally relatable, emotional landscape. The cello, Daigo’s first love, becomes intrinsically linked to his journey of transformation and understanding.
Truly, films that touch the soul and provoke such profound contemplation are invaluable and imminently worth experiencing. “Departures” leaves us with an enduring message, beautifully summarized by its own poignant reflection: “Death is a gate. It is not the end, but a transcendence. It is stepping onto a new journey.” This film is not about the end, but about the beautiful continuation of memory, love, and humanity.
