Departures (2008)
Masahiro Motoki: Daigo Kobayashi
Photos
Quotes
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Daigo Kobayashi : There are many kinds of coffins.
Yuriko Kamimura : 50000, 100000, 300000 yen.
Daigo Kobayashi : They differ by that much?
Yuriko Kamimura : The left one is plywood, the next one has metal fittings and carvings on both sides. And the most expensive one is solid cypress wood.
Daigo Kobayashi : Oh, the difference is in material and decoration.
Yuriko Kamimura : Yes, they all burn the same way.
Daigo Kobayashi : Same ashes.
Yuriko Kamimura : The last shopping of your life is done by others.
Daigo Kobayashi : Kind of ironic.
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Mika Kobayashi : What are you doing?
Daigo Kobayashi : This one. Here.
Mika Kobayashi : What?
Daigo Kobayashi : A stone letter.
Mika Kobayashi : Stone letter?
Daigo Kobayashi : Long ago, before writing, you'd send someone a stone that suited the way you were feeling. From its weight and touch, they'd know how you felt. From a smooth stone they might get that you were happy, or from a rough one that you were worried about them.
Mika Kobayashi : Thank you.
Daigo Kobayashi : What did you feel?
Mika Kobayashi : Not telling. That's a lovely story. Who told you?
Daigo Kobayashi : My dad.
Mika Kobayashi : You mean... that big rock?
Daigo Kobayashi : Yep. I got it from him.
Mika Kobayashi : I didn't know that.
Daigo Kobayashi : He said he'd send me one every year, but that's all I ever got. That jerk!
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Shokichi Hirata : Salmon?
Daigo Kobayashi : [Watching the river] Ah, yes. They're right by the rocks... over there.
Shokichi Hirata : [to the salmons swimming against the stream] Oh! Go for it!
Daigo Kobayashi : It's kind of sad... to climb only to die. Why work so hard if you're going to die.
Shokichi Hirata : I'm sure they want to go back... to their birthplace.
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Ikuei Sasaki : Oh, you... So you're not depressing.
Daigo Kobayashi : Thank you
Ikuei Sasaki : I knew an ad would work. Make some tea.
Daigo Kobayashi : My resume...
Ikuei Sasaki : Good. Sit down.
Daigo Kobayashi : Thank you.
Ikuei Sasaki : Will you work hard?
Daigo Kobayashi : Uh... yes
Ikuei Sasaki : You're hired. What's your name?
Daigo Kobayashi : Daigo Kobayashi.
Ikuei Sasaki : [to Yuriko] Get him some cards.
Yuriko Kamimura : Okay.
Daigo Kobayashi : But what about salary and stuff like that?
Ikuei Sasaki : Oh... how about one hand to start?
Daigo Kobayashi : One hand? 50,000 yen.
Ikuei Sasaki : 500.
Daigo Kobayashi : 500,000 yen?
Ikuei Sasaki : Too low?
Daigo Kobayashi : You pay that much?
Ikuei Sasaki : In cash, if you want.
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Daigo Kobayashi : [to the grieving family] The right of encoffinment is to prepare the deceased for a peaceful departure. Please come closer and watch. I will now wipe the body.
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Daigo Kobayashi : What does the job involve?
Ikuei Sasaki : Well... At first, being my assistant, I guess.
Daigo Kobayashi : Specifically...
Ikuei Sasaki : Specifically? Casketing.
Daigo Kobayashi : Casketing?
Ikuei Sasaki : Putting bodies in coffins. It bloomed!
Daigo Kobayashi : You mean dead bodies?
Ikuei Sasaki : That's really funny.
Daigo Kobayashi : Uh, no, I mean... The ad said departures, so I thought it meant a travel agency.
Ikuei Sasaki : That's a misprint. It's not departures, it's the departed.
Daigo Kobayashi : The departed.
Ikuei Sasaki : NK stands for nokan, casketing. Anyway, fate brought you here. Give it a try, Quit if you don't like it. Today's pay.
Daigo Kobayashi : No, I couldn't.
Ikuei Sasaki : It's fine.
Daigo Kobayashi : No, no.
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Mika Kobayashi : So what is it?
Daigo Kobayashi : Ceremonies.
Mika Kobayashi : Like weddings? Maybe you can play cello for them. I'll get the sukiyaki ready.
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Yamashita : People are talking.
Daigo Kobayashi : About what?
Yamashita : Get yourself a proper job!
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[last lines]
Daigo Kobayashi : Dad... Father...
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[first lines]
Daigo Kobayashi : [voice over narration] When I was a child winter didn't feel so cold. It's nearly two months since I moved home from Tokyo. It's been an awkward time.
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Ikuei Sasaki : Want to do it?
Daigo Kobayashi : All right.