About life and death, about order and breaking order
How would you feel if one day you were suddenly told that you had one year left in your life and that you were about to die after a year? Or, how will you face the last year of your life?
When death is dated, each passing day is a countdown. Are you frustrated and self-sacrificing? Or is it a hopeful last year, creating your own value in a limited time?
This question is raised shortly in the beginning of the film, when the protagonist Watanabe is convicted of stomach cancer by a doctor in the hospital and has a limited year left to live. Watanabe has been dedicated to his career in his work for decades; he cared for his children in the family, and did not remarry for his children. However, life now presents him with a different look of fragmentation. Working honestly, he became the section chief by virtue of his working years, but his staff members just wanted to wait for him to take his place when he retired; the son and daughter-in-law planned to live separately from his father, and had been coveting his father's pension. Life in front of him presents the most tragic and absurd side.
Life and death seem meaningless.
He was at a loss, he was painfully numb.
But the rebirth is also a momentary thing, maybe it was in the noisy street before, maybe it was in the dance hall, maybe it was seeking comfort with the former staff, or maybe it was the bouncing mechanical rabbit. It was these small moments that made him gradually think about what he needed to do in the future and find his value in the only year left.
In the dining room, he told his former staff about his confusion. He felt that he couldn't eat as much as she did, and laughed without scruples. He asked her why you were able to live so happily. Maybe there is no accurate answer, maybe this is also asking him himself. On the other side, the melody celebrating the birthday of the high school girl accompanies them downstairs, which also means his rebirth. At that moment he may have realized that the meaning of life is to live passionately, to be passionate about things.
From that day on, he began to complete the thing that was shied away from each other by various departments of the city hall before - repairing the garden in the heart of the street.
He went on a field trip to inspect the local situation in the pouring rain.
His proposal was played by various departments, and he persisted in pushing forward.
His proposal touched the interests of the underworld, and he was threatened, but he never gave up.
He insisted on pushing forward even when he was extremely unwell, on the spot and in the office.
Street Park was built, and he passed away.
In the last days of his life, perhaps he found the meaning of life. As a government official, he worked diligently for the public. In the end, the most ironic thing is that after his death, it was those strangers who shed tears for him. beneficiaries. The closest family members and colleagues who get along with each other day and night, on the contrary, only learned where his transformation came from and how he died through deductions at the funeral.
Although he lived a mediocre life, the last days should have been lived enthusiastically. Life is alive, and living passionately should leave those meaningful imprints. This is probably the meaning of life.
The first half of the film is typically a linear narrative, telling the story in chronological order. In this process, the actors have vividly displayed the pain, confusion, and unworthiness of their life situations. The second half is a flashback. Looking back at his actions in the days before his death at the funeral, it not only shows Watanabe himself, but also shows the inaction of the government's public affairs department.
The shot ends with Watanabe sitting on a swing in the park, singing the song, as snow falls on him.
Life is too short
girl, let's fall in love
Before the red lips fade
Before the enthusiasm cools down
No one knows what will happen tomorrow
Life is too short
girl, let's fall in love
Before Wusi turns white hair
Before the flame of love goes out
Today is gone forever!
Maybe it's to die for.
above
2018.10.13
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