The Departure

A portrait of an unconventional Buddhist priest renowned for suicide counsel, struggling to save himself

2017 | Running Time: 87 minutes | Rating: NR

An intimate character study of Ittetsu Nemoto, a former punk rocker-turned-Buddhist priest. Most famously, he is renowned in Japan for saving the lives of countless suicidal men and women through his wise and compassionate counsel. Now approaching middle-age with a wife and a young child, Nemoto learns his life is at risk from heart disease and the stress of this discovery is compounded by the heavy emotional workload of supporting those who no longer want to live. When saving others takes such a toll, can he find the resiliency to save himself? THE DEPARTURE premiered at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. Director/Producer: Lana Wilson; Executive Producers: Sally Jo Fifer, Lilly Hartley, Mike Lerner, Diane L. Max, Regina K. Scully, Jeffrey Tarrant

Tribeca Film Festival 2017: Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature (nomination)
Moscow International Film Festival 2017: Silver St. George for Best Film of the Documentary Competition (nomination)
Film Independent Spirit Awards 2018: Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary (nomination)
Adelaide Film Festival 2017: Foxtel Movies International Award for Best Documentary (nomination)

“Tender and quietly moving… The Departure is like a haiku.”

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Tags: Feature, Documentary, Biography, Suicide, Family Relationships, Religion