Watched Departures last night. This Japanese film explores the art of tending the dead, and while doing so, reveals the art of living. It is incredibly moving and beautiful as it unfolds like an intricate origami. It not only left me crying but in the best possible oxymoronic way of it being a very ‘good cry’. The kind of crying that is life affirming..and reassuring in some very simple and basic ways, that maybe we’re on the right track when we slow down and focus on the essentials.
A story of what matters and how to pay attention to life. An absolute must-see…Watch it and let me know what you think.
Don’t know that one either I’m afraid. I have a somewhat personal question for you if you don’t mind. What made you start this blog and how do you work with it? I am asking because I love to write, but I can’t think of a reason to start a blog or anything like that. Is this for your work?
Hope you don’t mind me asking,
regards
Hansje
No problem at all. I do quite a bit of travel for my travel writing articles and so many great things I discover don’t make it into any articles. I love doing this blog because it’s a way of immediately sharing great finds or discoveries…whether it’s through travel, film or reading a good book.
I love the instant gratification of publishing exactly when I want to as well. I’m actually looking into a new format and look for this wordpress blog, so stay tuned:)
Most bloggers will tell you that you should have more of a focused theme with what you write about in order to create more of a “following” but I don’t really care. I get to write about what I want, when I want and have the satisfaction of seeing it online instantly – unfortunately, including the unedited mistakes, but there’s the cost I guess.
Wordpress definitely makes it easy. Nothing to lose if you decide to try it and then don’t follow through. It’s all free.
Good luck.
I liked both those movies too. And in the category of the Julias…one of my favourite movies was with Tilda Swinton in a film called Julia. She plays an alcoholic who keeps sabotaging her own life. Incredible performance.
Thanks for your comments. It’s true, it’s the quiet respect that comes through so well in the rituals and ceremony – both living and dead. And I loved Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…Spring. Did you see Doris Dorrie’s Cherry Blossoms. That too, is a very moving film.
No I haven’t seen that movie. I will look for it. I enjoyed lately Julie & Julia and I am very fond of Ms. Potter. Do you know these? Completely different themes of course, but very nice movies.
Saw the movie as well and I am writing about it for a DVD site in the Netherlands. I was very moved by this film because of the stillness and the respect that is shown for both living and dead in this film. I also enjoyed the movie Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…Spring. Do you know it?