Departures (2008) Synopsis

After the abrupt dissolution of his Tokyo orchestra, the unsuccessful young cellist, Daigo, finds himself jobless and with a heavy financial debt on his shoulders. To start afresh, Daigo and his supportive wife, Mika, decide to return to his rural hometown of Yamagata in northern Japan, to settle in his childhood home, while searching for a new job--any job. Back to square one, an unexpected employment ad for what sounds like a job in a travel agency will seem like a promising offer; however, an unlucky misprint will soon reveal that this job refers to a mortician instead. Little by little, as the fresh apprentice plunges deep into an unknown world of ceremonial funeral preparation often viewed with disgust and disdain, Daigo's little secret will threaten everything he has worked for. But what if this is his true calling in life?—Nick Riganas

After the abrupt dissolution of his Tokyo orchestra, the unsuccessful young cellist, Daigo, finds himself jobless and with a heavy financial debt on his shoulders. To start afresh, Daigo and his supportive wife, Mika, decide to return to his rural hometown of Yamagata in northern Japan, to settle in his childhood home, while searching for a new job--any job. Back to square one, an unexpected employment ad for what sounds like a job in a travel agency will seem like a promising offer; however, an unlucky misprint will soon reveal that this job refers to a mortician instead. Little by little, as the fresh apprentice plunges deep into an unknown world of ceremonial funeral preparation often viewed with disgust and disdain, Daigo's little secret will threaten everything he has worked for. But what if this is his true calling in life?—Nick Riganas

Published Time: 2019-04-09 00:23:01