Departures

In the poignant and introspective drama "Departures," the talented Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike masterfully explores themes of loss, identity, and the human experience through the story of Daigo Kobayashi, a talented but disillusioned cellist. After being laid off from his orchestra, Daigo finds himself adrift, struggling to come to terms with the loss of his professional identity and the subsequent strain it puts on his marriage to his wife, Mika. As the couple prepares to move back to Daigo's small hometown in rural Japan, he becomes increasingly withdrawn and disenchanted. It is in this state of limbo that Daigo is presented with an unexpected opportunity – a job as an undertaker's assistant, courtesy of the renowned Tokyo funeral home Tsugawa Coffin. What starts as a misperception of what the position entails (Daigo had assumed he was applying for a job at a travel agency) slowly gives way to a grudging acceptance, a sense of responsibility and a renewed sense of purpose. Under the guidance of the elderly and compassionate mentor, Satsuki, an experienced and stoic undertaker, Daigo embarks on a journey of self-discovery. It is here that he learns about the intricacies and solemnities of preparing the deceased for the final farewell, and, through his diligent efforts, he comes to realize the gravity and poignancy of this particular kind of service. Daigo's immersion in this world of death is not only a transformation of his professional life but also an intensely personal one. At first, his relationships with Mika and the townspeople are tested as he grapples with the notion of helping the departed "departs" or transition to another world. His cellist's skill is eventually employed for traditional Japanese funeral music (known as 'shinigui'), but the emotional weight of his new reality is not without its complications. The sense of detachment that once governed his music as a cellist begins to give way to an appreciation for the importance of honoring the deceased. The nuances of empathy that this job demands of Daigo allow him to form a deep connection with Mika, and together they navigate their uncertain future. Through a series of poignant and deeply human vignettes, "Departures" poignantly explores the lives of those who have found a purpose in this work – the enigmatic owner of the Tokyo funeral home and the stoic yet enigmatic Satsuki, an experienced and empathetic undertaker. Each of the mourners and families of the deceased, that Daigo encounters, contributes to the story: there's the elderly widow, who, unable to speak, expresses her gratitude with tears; the mother, consumed by grief, but also able, ultimately, to release her child to the void of death. In these encounters, "Departures" presents a vision of humanity at its most genuine and poignant, where every gesture and action holds the weight of significance. "Departures" is an understated yet profoundly moving exploration of human emotion and vulnerability, set against the backdrop of Japan's rich culture. As a work of fiction, it deftly illuminates the complexities and nuances of relationships within a Japanese family as it deals with a fundamental and universal issue: the meaning of mortality. The narrative's understated elegance, coupled with an emotional richness that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, cements "Departures" as an essential work of Japanese cinema.