And the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film Goes to...

[RSS_Robot]

"Okuribito" (Departures) has been named as this year's best foreign language film at the 81st Academy Awards.
Widely considered the second-favorite for the award, behind Israeli film "War With Bashir," the movie continued on its strong performance at festivals around the world over the last few months.

Joined on stage by stars Motoki Masahiro (43) Hirosue Ryoko (28), Hirosue Ryoko (28) and Yo Kimiko (52), director Takita Yoji (53) gave a brief acceptance speech in very broken English.

The award meant that Japan was two for two on the night. "Tsumiki no Ie," an animated short by Kato Kunio (31), took Japan's first ever Oscar in that category and the the country's first in six years. Okuribito is a moving and often humorous drama of human dignity and family bonds.

Motoki plays an out-of-work cellist who leaves Tokyo to return to his hometown to become an undertaker, ritually cleansing and placing the deceased into coffins at funeral ceremonies.

[bayjapan]

Well, I saw the film, and I thought it was just okay.
But, it was a nice surprise to me that the film won the oscar.
(I thought "Waltz with Bashir" would get the award.)

[miri]

Omg Tsumiki no Ie won<3 I absolutely loved it when I watched it back in fall in a film festival in ny<3<3... although at that time it was called La Maison en Petits Cubes. I recommend anyone to watch it. It'll make you cry silently in your heart<3...

[den4]

Are either films available for download yet? Both sound very interesting.....

[Zetaf]

go watch in cinema instead, movie is worth that or buy the dvd that comes later this year

[Dial-A-Hero]

I thought Waltz with Bashir would get the win too, but still, good for Departures. I liked the broken English speech as well. I dunno why, I just like seeing "the little guy" or the underdog or whatever win. Plus, as someone who isn't really that familiar with the movie beforehand (except it's title and premise), it was a pleasant to surprise to see Hirosue Ryoko on the stage. Didn't know she was in it.

Looking forward to seeing this in the near future.