Departures: The Gift of Last Memories

The smell of death lingers with the movie Departures, which was directed directed by Yojiro Takita. However, the smell of death need not be a stench to be scorned. Preparing a body for the final departure is something as beautiful as life can be. Though death and life may be seen as a terribly vicious cycle, the thin line between the two shows the beauty of every breath. Being in such a profession is not an easy task owing to the emotional stress that one receives and this is exactly what Daigo Kobayashi had come to terms with being a professional embalmer.

One thing notable about this film is its ability to draw attention to something that is not normally noticed by most. The art of embalming and craft of sending a love one to the other side of life is usually overlooked. The process entails a different set of dynamics for the film. Embalming is not simply making the person look beautiful for an audience to simply appreciate but for the person who passed away, it is a farewell endeavor with a whole lot of affection in it. It encompasses the physical and the spiritual. Likewise, the film puts this system into perspective.

In the film, Taigo Kobayashi has dreams like no other would conjure. A great musician, specifically a cello was his immediate concern. He was part of an orchestra, but such an endeavor was not successful. After a performance, he was terminated from the job due to the fact that the company was not faring well. Starting from that point almost everything about this life fell apart.

Procuring a high-class cello for a huge sum was not entirely a good idea. He went into debt and decided to go back to the town, to which he was born. His wife, Mika Kobayashi is a woman of strong tenacity. She approached everything with a smile even when Taigo Kobayashi went into debt and decided to move to his hometown. By and large, Mika is indeed a very good example of a very supportive wife. However, there is a part in the film wherein she got fed up with Taigo’s unwillingness to share the truth about what he is doing. She found out for himself that the new career path of Taigo was not usual and he wanted him to find a usual job. However, Taigo sticked to his instincts and defended his job since he was not doing anything wrong, but doing a service to humanity. Initially, Mika left but came back for Taigo. Another interesting twist in the movie is Mika’s pregnancy, which affirms the cycle of life and death.

Taigo Kobayashi’s life is full of unwanted ironies and such. As a child, he was part of a family that was broken. However, Taigo was very resilient and strong and did not allow that to break his spirit. His father taught him to play the cello; he had a strong affinity with music after that. In one part of the movie, the break-up of his parents took a serious toll on him but he never showed it to his mother. During the earlier part of his life, he went to the bathhouse alone and he cried like he never cried before even to the point that his shoulders were trembling. Nevertheless, not at one point in his life he showed his mother that he is crying owing to the break-up.

Looking at the plot of the movie; sad to say, it is quite predictable and expected. Though it offered something new in terms of the cultural value, the entertainment significance of it not substantial. The plotting of the movie is quite conventional and does not offer something new to the plate. Some of the twists are dull, looking beyond the plot; the movie touches hearts because of the melodramatic factor it possesses. From time to time, the scenes are quite touching due to the blend of Taigo’s love for music and his affection for the process of sending people to the other side.

The cinematography is one of the strongest features of the film; it is very lush and rich. Indeed the movie brought in some images of the countryside with almost perfect quintessence. As for the musical scoring, it was chosen very well that elevated the message that the film wanted to deliver. These two aspects of the movie are quite strong. These two compensated for plot's lack of spark.

Overall, this movie can be placed under the “so-so” category. It is would not really blow the socks of one’s feet. However, it still contains a certain cultural value that makes one think twice. The film showed death in a very unconventional manner. By unconventional, it is highly stunning and beautiful. Appreciating the value of the person is made stronger with death. With all thing said and done, the film carries the Academy Award for the being the best foreign language film.

Café Noriter: A Playful Cup of Coffee

“Café Noriter? That’s our place!” Without a doubt, coffee has been the staple beverage of most individuals nowadays. From the initial Starbucks craze early on, this simple beverage has started to become a lifestyle item for those who need their daily caffeine fix. Likewise, gourmet coffee is undeniably the highest display of this beverage and nothing beats Café Noriter at this game. We have large chains of coffee shops sprouting here, there and everywhere; but such shops do not bring something new to the coffee shop game. They may offer free Wi-Fi, an ambience that is more than cozy, and cheerful and perky baristas and staff; but these aforementioned factors can only go so far. As for Café Noriter, they went against the convention of what the usual coffee shop look and feel like. It made them one of the most sought after coffee shop from all over the metro.

Café Noriter is conveniently situated at Taft Avenue, Manila, in front of De La Salle University. One cannot miss this coffee shop for its remarkably playful illustration of their signage. Going inside is a highly different experience from the typical coffee shop. Their sets of furniture are not the conventional ones as can be seen in big coffee chains. Fixtures that were placed inside café Noriter are exceedingly playful and lighthearted. The walls of the shop are infused with cheerful illustrations of different cartoonish images. A more interactive and personalized store design is the cups hanging all around the place, which the customers are asked by the staff to personally design the cups. The windows are filled with sketches of various kinds that some may consider “cheesy.” Similarly, the tables are infused with drawings as well. Bringing it all together, Noriter becomes a playground for coffee lovers and the likes. Well, Noriter literally means, in the Korean language, as playground.

Another interesting facet of Café Noriter is the mood that it delivers to its customers. The “at home” feeling is felt within the confines of this coffee shop - playground. There are several areas wherein customers can sit as if they are at home. For the more serious individual, the chair and table would be the best option. For the laid-back individual, it is the loft and throw pillow. Considering the latter, individuals must remove their shoes, climb the steps, and do an Indian sit for their own delight. As the clichéd line goes, “Its home away from home.” But yes, Café Noriter is really a home away from home; a coffee shop that feels more like a home.

Coffee, tea, or milk; Café Noriter has it all. For non-coffee drinkers, They have some treats that would make individuals fall in love with their brand of beverage. Hot chocolate would be the best bet for those who have a sweet tooth. Iced mocha for those who need caffeine kick. For their pastries, their waffle seems to be the best-seller. Loaded with various toppings, one cannot go wrong choosing this as a nibbling counterpart of any beverage. Anything from Noriter is quite pleasurable, may it be a cup of coffee, a bit of something to munch upon or both!

When a creative spark is needed, Noriter is the place to be. With the creatively eccentric design and the to-die-for decorative pieces, those creative juices will surely flow. Study dates anyone? Having it on Café Noriter is not a bad idea. The cozy ambience and the feeling of home will make studying a pleasurable endeavor bundled with yummy bites and beverages. For those who simply want to unwind from the hustle and the bustle of the metro, this place makes unwinding an understatement.

Tired of the same old coffee shop experience? If such is the case, trying Noriter will bring the coffee shop experience in a new light. From the playful decorative accents to how customers choose to enjoy their beverage; Café Noriter surely has something of everything for everyone. Something sweet, something cold, something hot, something relaxing, something quirky, something that everyone likes, Café Noriter offers it all. Frappes, tea, cappuccino and the likes, pastries of different kinds, such are irresistible treats. However, Café Noriter is not simply a treat for the taste buds but for the senses as well.