Departures

A poignant exploration of life and death, this film follows a cellist who unexpectedly finds himself working as a nōkanshi, a traditional Japanese ritual mortician. As he navigates the societal stigma associated with his new profession, he discovers a profound sense of purpose and connection to the departed and their families. The film, directed by Yojiro Takita, features Masahiro Motoki in a compelling lead role. It received critical acclaim, winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. For those interested, it can be viewed for free on Soap2day.