Masahiro Motoki, right, in a scene from “Okuribito”

Critics say unique concept of death behind 'Okuribito' Oscar success

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DJJapan at 12:32 PM JST - 24th February

It seems that most of the comments on this post haven't even seen the movie yet they want to strip apart comments made that have been translated by other parties. I suggest to see the movie first and make your own judgement. I think it was worthy of the Oscar it received and overall was a fantastic movie with some quirky moments that made it funny as well. I would definately see it again so I could pick up a couple of bits I missed out on. It also shows diversity in the Japanese society and human weaknesses and strengths.
aintgottimetobl at 01:46 PM JST - 24th February

well said DJ !In a time when their polticians stink and their economy and jobs have gone belly-up why deny a rare piece of good news the celebration it deserves..congratulations to all involved in the production !!
Stonefish at 03:53 PM JST - 24th February

it was unpredictably surprising to me as well...

Well fancy that!
OneForAll at 05:52 PM JST - 24th February

Saw the trailer. Looks like a great film. Probably should see it being half in Japan. Helps to normalize a part of life, death. Looks as though the people of Japan have similar feelings, fear of death and a dread of people who touches a corpse as the rest of us. Always afraid of shaking hands with a mortician. Our guys do the best they can as well. It is hard to make a person's remains look alive. Very sensitive moment of life for all who are left behind.
franz75 at 06:08 PM JST - 24th February

I'll wait for the DVD. People rushes to theater.

"A government spokesman described the honors as a fine display of the high cultural standards of Japanese movies." hmmm... is the "Sinking of Japan" a demonstration of high cultural standards?

80% is absolute crap like everywhere. 10% passable and finally the last 10% are good.

Wait 50 more years for the next Oscar and comes again with your comment "government spokesman".
OssanAmerica at 01:14 AM JST - 25th February

unique concept of death behind 'Okuribito' Oscar success Yeah, no other country has a concept of death. Thanks Japan!

Come on Nessie you're usually better than that. Doesb't take a rocket scientist to know that " a unique concept of death" is hardly the same as "a concept of death".
Ninjazilla at 11:25 AM JST - 25th February

I really want to see this but like with Shizuka Arukawa its more a case of something else (waltz with bashir) choking.
Nessie at 03:16 PM JST - 25th February

Doesb't take a rocket scientist to know that " a unique concept of death" is hardly the same as "a concept of death".

I'm disputing there's such a thing as a unique concept of death. What's unique about it? Is it like the unique Japanese harvest festival? Or the unique Japanese New Year's holiday? Every time we hear "unique" it's a way of supressing obvious parallels in other cultures.
Starviking at 07:45 PM JST - 25th February

Every time we hear "unique" it's a way of supressing obvious parallels in other cultures.

Spot on Nessie!
PepinGalarga at 04:09 AM JST - 26th February

Nobody here has pointed out that Yojiro Takita started out directing porn films. That in itself gives you an idea of the "fine display of the high cultural standards of Japanese movies".
koizumi at 09:51 AM JST - 26th February

Yeah, I would submit that NO movie in history can be described as 'unique' - wrong adjective ... and quite lazy, too.

So someone, please, tell us the Japanese word(s) from which this 'unique' stuff is being derived from.

And I thank you.
outofmydepth at 06:22 PM JST - 26th February

i am tired of watching those people affilitated with the film on tv 24/7. yeah yeah yeah. we get it. there are lots of things going on the world - let`s hear about some of that.
bdiego at 07:14 AM JST - 28th February

It's pretty clear only a few of the above posters have actually seen the movie. I suggest you watch it and form your own opinion.

These comments are kind of an extreme version of all the people who dismissed the Joker in Batman as people heaping praise because Keith Ledger died. Actually, if you had seen the movie you'd see that was one of the best performances this year.
memyselfI at 06:01 PM JST - 5th March

It's alot better than " Happy Flight " I wish " Happy Flight " won the Oscars. Anyways it's a good movie. Probably, 15 years in the future another will win an Oscar. Hehehehe !!! I can see NHK or TBS making a Series out of this.
memyselfI at 06:03 PM JST - 5th March

I see a television series coming form this movie. Someone is going to steal this idea. An have bad actors and actresses playing the movie roles. I see it coming. NHK or TBS will jump on the bandwagon. Why not ?