After Life (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

I wonder how many movies have been made that speculate on what happens after we die? It’s a topic that offers, I think, endless opportunities for creativity (and clichés). AFTER LIFE, from writer/director Kore-eda Hirokazu, adds a poignant new concept to this packed genre.Often, these speculative ideas turn the movie into a comedy, or a science fiction piece, or something philosophical and often difficult to interpret or just boring. AFTER LIFE fits none of these categories. In fact, it isn’t really that interested in the notion of death and dying. Set in a rundown (even abandoned) government type building, each week, a batch of the recently deceased show up and given an assignment by the compassionate bureaucrats who run the place: Give us a memory that you want to take with you to your afterlife. We’ll do our best to recreate it on film. We’ll show you the film, and when it actually sparks that memory for you, you’ll move on to the next step, forever accompanied by that one moment, and no other.In the week under consideration in AFTER LIFE, 22 people have arrived to perform this ritual. All are aware that they’ve died, but noone is upset about it, or screaming for a second chance or any of the usual histrionics we might expect. They are, to some degree, at peace…but really, they mostly just recognize this as another step on their journey’s, and they are agreeable (mostly) to the process. Most of the folks are elderly, and they eagerly share details of their favorite memories with the sympathetic and gentle team who work with them.Not everyone is 100% on board. One older gentleman, whose journey evolves in ways that make him more central to the story than the others, is hesitant to admit that anything has happened to him that made him happy. And a young man simply refuses to play along. He’s not angry or aggressive, he just chooses not to let his life be distilled down to that one memory.Central to all this is the relationship between the workers, particularly between Takashi (Arata Iura), a young man who serves as a counselor, and Shiori (Erika Oda), his young trainee. Both actors are excellent in their understated ways, and the arc of their story makes a deep impact.The movie has an air of sadness. The decrepit building, the gray skies (and snow), the overall lighting and the slower pace. But as you watch, you realize that it’s really more an air of respect and importance. Attention is being paid because these 22 people are about to embark on the most important thing that’s happened to them. They’ve lived their full lives, and that’s to be respected. When we see the scenes of memories being recreated and filmed, the movie becomes a joyful documentary. Filmed with handheld cameras, we immerse into this thoughtful process, one that clearly gives everyone involved a great deal of satisfaction.I won’t say more, because although this film is not heavy on plot (as we think of it), a fair amount actually happens, including a number of beautiful and surprising things. It’s a slow go, but it’s never boring. And what’s remarkable about it is that the “dead” folks sharing their memories are all the “real” people…amateurs who have agreed to participate in this unusual film and to share their own actual special memories. You can tell they are amateurs, but they have been given the space to really be themselves, and as these people (particularly the elderly) share their stories, we understand that AFTER LIFE has given us a rare privilege; to be shown that part of these people that they’ve carried as a kernel of pure happiness throughout their long and varied lives. While the movie is about a lot more than that, just sharing in those revelations is enough to make this film a true gift to the viewer.If you have the Criterion Collection version, I very heartily recommend the bonus features. The interview with Kore-eda is revelatory and even the commentary, while delivered in academic tones, illuminates and adds so many more layers to this amazing film.

Thoughtful, poignant and humorous.

I have been waiting for his movie to be re-release again. I had the original DVD only to lend it to someone who never returned it. Then it was out of print. The movie is a beautiful exploration between memory and the essence of one's life and sense of self. One's life experience is portrayed as an infinite number of videos. However, one's sense of self and identity is about choosing elements and events out of that to tell a story. The characters are at a way station where the staff of the afterlife are staging the one memory that the deceased will get to take with them to the next part of their journey. The new extra features include Kore-eda talking about the inspiration for this story.

I first saw this film in an art house theater eons ago. I liked it/enjoyed it. Happened to find it on Amazon but out of stock. When it became available again I bought my copy. If you have an interest in the afterlife this is a worthwhile addition to your library: It offers a perspective different from all others.

A meditation on memory, friendship and love. The movie starts slow, it takes time to sort out what is happening, but stick with it. This film has really stayed with me.

the film is beautiful in all it’s restored glory and both poetic and powerful as expected from Koreeda. the booklet is also nice, not a fan of criterion new foldout instead of just a normal booklet, but the essay is great. unfortunately, the supplements are a bit on the paler side but you know what they say; quality over quantity. and there is some insightful information from the interviews but the commentary is really the best part.overall a great addition to the collection. god willing they do a box set for all his biggest hits sometime

This movie is very thought provoking. A unique take on the afterlife that made me wonder what I would choose. I still haven't made a decision. It's a documentary style view that makes it interesting to watch. More than one character touched my heart. Will definitely watch again.

A great movie that stood the taste of time. Just as good as Still Walking. I actually prefer Hirokazu Koreeda’s earlier movies to the latest ones. This is a great Criterion edition.

I’ve long considered Hirokazu Koreeda the best director currently working in Japan who is not named Hayao Miyazaki, and one of my favourite directors of all-time!I’ve seen 6 of his films up to this point and they’ve all been masterpieces. So, you can imagine my utter delight when the Criterion Collection announced one of his few films that I had yet to see as part of their August release slate: “After Life” (1998)The question at the centre of this film is simple but also existential and deeply profound: “If you could only choose one memory from your life to take with you when you pass on, which one would you choose?”This is the question posed to our varied assortment of characters in this film, and by fusing his documentarian sensibilities with an Ozu-like knack for simple yet emotive storytelling, Koreeda has crafted a profound, deeply human film that is at once both mournful and haunting, while also being life-affirmingly beautiful.The Criterion Blu-Ray remaster is simply stunning, and the plethora of supplemental features makes this film more than worth the purchase price, in my opinion!It’s an absolute masterpiece, and an essential addition to any Criterion collector’s collection!