Japanese Movie DVD:
Starring: Masahiro Motoki, Ryoko Hirosue, Yo Kimiko, Yamazaki Tsutomu
Language: Japanese
Subtitle: English/Chinese/Malay
Media Type: NTSC, Region All
Production: 2009
No of CDs: 1 DVD
Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki) is an aspiring cellist newly hired by a symphony in Tokyo. No sooner than Daigo’s first performance with the orchestra he receives the devastating news that the orchestra will be disbanded. Daigo made the fateful decision to mortgage his future by purchasing a cello that cost well over $100,000. Now he has to break the news to his faithful wife (Ryoko Hirosue). When she asks Daigo what his plans are now, he suggests they move back to his rural hometown Yamagata and start over again. Daigo’s wife smiles and agrees to follow him to Yamagata.
After the couple settles into their new home, Daigo looks for a job. He finds a listing in the newspaper advertising a position that requires little hours, no experience, and centers around helping out others on their journeys. Daigo assumes the position is for a travel agent, but when he arrives at the office, he realizes the job is for an “encoffineer” (Nokanshi) – similar to an embalmer in the U.S., but requires the encoffineer to work in front of the deceased in a ceremony steeped in tradition. The job of an “encoffineer” is not a popular one in Japan and people often look down on the job as dirty. Daigo tries to keep his job secret, but soon rumors spreads around the small town. When Daigo’s wife learns of his new job, she gives him the ultimatum to quit his job or she’ll leave him.
2009 (32nd) Japan Academy Prize - February 20th, 2009
Best Picture
Best Director (Yojiro Takita)
Best Leading Actor (Masahiro Motoki)
Best Supporting Actor (Tsutomu Yamazaki)
Best Supporting Actress (Kimiko Yo)
Best Screenplay (Kundo Koyama)
Best Lighting (Hitoshi Takaya)
Best Sound Recording (Satoru Ozaki)
Best Editing (Akimasa Kawashima)
Best Cinematography (Takeshi Hamada)
2009 (81st) Academy Awards - February 22, 2009
-Best Foreign Language Film
2009 (3rd) Asian Film Awards - March 23, 2009
-Best Actor Masahiro Motoki
2009 (11th) Udine Far East Film - April 24-May 2, 2009
Audience Award (1st place)
Black Dragon Audience Award (1st place)
2009 (3rd) Asia Pacific Screen Awards - November 26, 2009
-Best Performance by an Actor - Masahiro Motoki