Departures (2008)

Matt Miele, Robby Moroz, Steph Olson

Synopsis ● A newly unemployed cellist takes a

job preparing the dead for funerals.o http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1069238/

Reviews

Plot● Daigo loses job as cellist.● Move to his hometown with his wife. Live in the house his mother left.● Looks for job and finds one that says “departures”.● Realizes once he gets to the office it has to deal with dead people but decides to

stay● At first very weak stomach, but learns to handle to job.● Daigo doesn't quiet after his wife found a video of him doing work, his wife leaves

though.● Mika returns saying she is pregnant and wants another job for Daigo● Mika learns to accept his job.● Daigo and Mika return to see Daigo’s dead father● Gets angry with village for not taking care of his body and finishes the ceremony.● Daigo sees a letter his dead father is holding and presses against Mika’s pregnant

belly.

Major Plot Points

● The return back home to his original house● Accepting the job● Mika leaves and returns● Father dies

Important People Involved● Directed by Yôjirô Takita● Written by Kundô Koyama● Starring

o Masahiro Motoki as Daigo Kobayaskio Tsutomu Yamazki as Ikuei Sasaki

Major Themes● Departures● Music● Home● Respect● Failure

Awards● Won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, 2009● Also won awards from

o Asia Pacific Screen Awardso Asian Film Awardso Japanese Academy

● Winning 34 awards, along with 7 nominations

Important Scenes

Daigo Kobayashi

● Played by Masahiro Motoki

Mika Kobayashi

● Played by Ryoko Hirosue

Main Characters

Tsuyako YamishitaSasaki

Yuriko Shokichi Hirata