This Oscar-winning Japanese movie with subtitles is a superb examination of the most important issues in the life of a man – his father, the need to do something worthwhile with his life, and his primary relationship. The central character is Daigo, a young man excellently played by Masahiro Motoki. The passion of his early life is his music; encouraged by his father to play the cello, he achieves professional status and wins a job with a symphony orchestra. Sadly it closes and he admits that he is not really good enough to make it as a musician. Jobless, he and his young wife move to the home left to him by his mother who raised him after his father left when Daigo was a small boy.
Daigo finds a job as a ritual ‘encoffiner’, a job that shocks his wife and friends, but one in which he discovers a deep significance – the need to give the dead a dignified departure from this life and leave an important memory for those remaining. In the process, Daigo confronts and deals with important issues of his own.
The movie is set in a drab town in Northern Japan , where the predominant weather seems to be grey. Notwithstanding this and the morbid nature of his work, the movie is never dull. Backed by a superb musical score, it is filled with warmth, humour and the drama of life itself. Very aptly sub-titled, ‘The gift of last memories’ this film will leave you with some significant memories and insights of your own.
Roger Knowles is a professional speaker, author and attorney. For more information see http://www.rogerk.co.za/, http://www.referralnetworking.co.za/ or http://www.getyourmoney.co.za/
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