WISDOM CENTER

​SUNDAY, July 6, 2025   •  7 PM​​​

Departures

 

Departures (Okuribito), by Yojiro Takita, explores the life of Daigo Kobayashi as his life takes an unexpected

twist following the dissolving of his orchestra, and with it, his childhood dream of playing the cello. After a

move to his hometown of Yamagata in rural Japan and out of options, Daigo applies for an ambiguous job as

‘someone who helps with departures’. But little does Daigo know that this job will spark a new understanding

of one’s purpose in life and death itself.

The movie’s exploration of “Nokanshi” or the elaborate Japanese ritual of casketing the dead provided a cultural

insight into a profession that is overlooked due to humanity’s innate fear of death. This dreamy, complex and

highly choreographed display of respect and honor of the dead provides an eye-opening look into how we

approach dying.

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Suggested donation: $10 at the door