Encoffinment, Made Beautiful: Okuribito
On Yojiro Takita’s Oscar-winning film.
I’ve seen a couple of movies that depicted and focused on the rich culture and tradition of Asian communities such as Memoirs of a Geisha(2005) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and in addition to this, it is also not new to narrate and explore taboo topics in films. However, never have I seen a movie so out of the ordinary, so genuine and elegant, more so in the topic, it deals. Death.
Okuribito or “Departures” focuses on the act of encoffinment or the rituals and ceremony performed. It touches upon the strong taboos and social prejudices associated with this line of work or of being a nōkanshi, that our protagonist experiences from his own friends and wife. From the directing of Yojiro Takita, score from Joe Hisaishi, and the passable acting of the actors of the film, the themes regarding life and death — most especially the departing of loved ones that take place in both — is approached with such care, profoundness and grace that is sure to leave the audience intrigued, in shock and in awe.
Zeraly Saromines is an aspiring filmmaker and film critic who, through her blogs, helps viewers decide whether to watch a certain movie or show or geek out with other passionate viewers. Her opinionated blogs provide her own perspective and opinions whether it be about your favorite superhero, International shows, and Filipino rom-com and the classics — anything that movies and tv shows have to offer. However, she is especially obsessed with finding stories that hint at the harsh realities of life, explore the realms of magic and science, and those that offer new perspectives from underrepresented groups. By challenging her thoughts constantly and striving to be set apart from other critics, she writes her blogs in a much personal way that enables her to engage with her readers. In addition to this, her experience as an international student provides different outlooks and perspectives on culture and life that again reflect on the content of her blogs.
