The surprise winner of this year's Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, Departures tells the story of a concert cellist named Daigo who undergoes a transformation following the death of his father and the dissolution of his Tokyo orchestra. Because he spent a fortune on a new cello for his now-defunct ensemble, Daigo retreats, guilt-ridden, to his picturesque hometown in northern Japan to look for work, with his obedient wife Mika in tow. He responds to an ad for a company called 'Departures,” thinking it's a travel agency, but discovers that the company caters to morticians who perform 'encoffinments”—highly stylized and meticulous ceremonies to prepare bodies for burial or cremation. Daigo has mixed feelings about working in an industry that carries such taboo in Japan, but he can't refuse the salary. Soon, he finds pride in helping grieving family members cope with the loss of their loved ones, but he still can't find the courage to admit to Mika what he does for a living. Inspired by Japanese author Shinmon Aoki's mortician memoir, 'Coffinman,” Departures is a tonally eccentric, lushly scored, moving, and funny drama that uses the rituals of death to foster a greater appreciation of life.

Two years in a row, the Japanese have sent wonderful, challenging films to the Oscars which arrive under the radar and absolutely amaze. This is an exquisitely evocative film, one which illuminates Japanese culture and aesthetics in an emotionally and intellectually satisfying way.

Joyful and immensely satisfying. Many tears will be shed watching this deeply moving very Japanese film about death and so much more.

A definite must-see SIFF film. A Japanese man makes a drastic career change. Genuinely funny & it will touch your heart. SEE IT

I loved this blatantly emotionally manipulative film. It was a sweet and touching story that had me caring for and crying for characters as they 'departed' and were lovingly and respectfully prepared for their journey. What many might not appreciate is, within Japan this film successfully elicits empathy, sympathy and respect for the main character, a man who through fate had been drawn into, and embraced, a trade that most Japanese consider exceptionally low (similar to what our society might feel about those that work with garbage ... Unclean, unfortunate and distasteful work, certainly not an admirable career). Strongly recommended.