Recommended Work Starring Ryoko Hirosue: Departures

Ryoko Hirosue was going through marital crisis during the filming of this movie. In 2008, she announced her divorce. However, 'Departures,' co-starring Masahiro Motoki, won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 81st Academy Awards, becoming the first Japanese film to receive this honor. Ryoko Hirosue also won the award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role at the 32nd Japan Academy Film Prize and Best Supporting Actress at the Yokohama Film Festival for this film. Her portrayal of a gentle wife in the movie successfully captured the audience's hearts, helping her make a comeback and regain popularity. 'Departures' tells the story of Daigo (Masahiro Motoki), a former cellist in the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. After losing his job due to the orchestra's disbandment, he returns to his hometown in Yamagata Prefecture with his wife Mika (Ryoko Hirosue). He stumbles upon a job advertisement for 'travel assistance work' and unexpectedly becomes a 'nōkanshi' (a traditional Japanese ritualist who prepares bodies for cremation). Initially, Daigo is filled with fear and repulsion towards this job. However, through participating in numerous farewell ceremonies and gaining insights into the boundary between life and death, he gradually comes to understand the profound meaning of his work, eventually finding the courage to mend long-lost family relationships.