Originally produced as a Japanese motion picture in 2008.

Special features: Trailer (2 min.); Interview with director Yōjirō Takita (12 min.).

880-03,Ongaku [original music], Hisaishi Jō ; satsuei [cinematography], Hamada Takeshi ; henshū [editor], Kawashima Akimasa.

880-02,Motoki Masahiro, Hirosue Ryōko, Yo Kimoko, Sugimoto Tetta, Minegishi Tōru, Yoshiyuki Kazuko, Sasano Takashi, Yamazaki Tsutomu.

Daigo Kobayashi, a cellist, dreamt of going around the world with his wife Mika. Unfortunately, the orchestra folds, so he sells his instrument, retreats to the small town he came from, lives in his late mother's house, and tries to start a new life. He answers a classified ad entitled 'Departures' thinking it is for a travel agency. Daigo's actual responsibilities entail preparing the local decedents for their "casketing," a process with an elaborate ritual of preparation, cleansing, and presentation, all done with great precision, grace, and utmost respect for both the deceased and watching family members. In dire financial straits, Daigo embarks on this new (and ancient) career path. While his wife and others despise the job, Daigo takes a certain pride in his work and begins to perfect the art, acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death, between the departed and their families.

MPAA rating: PG-13; for some thematic elements.

DVD; NTSC, region 1; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound/2.0; enhanced for 16x9 televisions.

In Japanese with optional subtitles in English.

Winner, 2008 Academy Award: Best foreign language film; Winner, 2009 Awards of the Japanese Academy: Best film, Best director-Yôjirô Takita, Best actor-Masahiro Motoki, Best supporting actor-Tsutomu Yamazaki, Best supporting actress-Kimoko Yo, Best screenplay-Kundô Koyama, Best cinematography-Takeshi Hamada, Best editing-Akimasa Kawashima, Best lighting-Hitoshi Takaya, Best sound-Satoshi Ozaki, Osamu Onodera.

SACFinal081324