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A story of love, of discovery, of revelation and of the transcending human spirit, "Departures" will linger in your heart and mind long after viewing.
Photo Credit:Film Poster - Academy Award® Winner for Best Foreign Language Film of the year
Japanese Events in London: 30th - 6th December 2009
We love to promote Japanese film at concise courses, (we recently attended a viewing of 'A Story of Love and Hate' that we loved). Next week, 4th December 2009, will be the premiere of "Departures" by Yojiro Takita, winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 2009, and many other international accolades, including 10 Japan Academy prize awards, achieving tremendous critical success. Arrow Films, is the UK distributor showcasing the film.
A recent review stated, "Departures is a delightful and sensitive journey into the heartland of Japan, telling the story of Daigo (Masahiro Matoki), a devoted cellist who finds himself without a job and decides to move back to his hometown with his wife (Ryoko Hirosue) to look for work and start over. He answers a classified ad entitled “Departures” thinking it is an advertisement for a travel agency only to discover that the job is actually for a “Nokanshi,” a funeral professional who prepares deceased bodies for burial and entry into the next life. While those around him despise the job, Daigo takes a certain pride in his work and begins to perfect the art of “Nokanshi,” acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death. The film follows his profound and sometimes comical journey with mortality as he uncovers the wonder, joy and meaning of life and living.
We believe that this film has a great appeal to those interested in Japanese culture and society. Departures is an astonishingly beautiful look at a sacred and important part of Japan’s cultural heritage, and offers a fascinating insight for both Japanese audiences and those who have an interest in traditional Japanese culture.
Also! Arrow Films are providing the opportunity to enter a competition to win the poster of the film and two copies of the Departures DVD that will be released in March 2010. If you would like to run a competition for your society/club or event then please 
email adam at arrowfilms.co.uk
