AFTER LIFE

RELEASED 17 AUGUST 1998 | PG | Blu-ray

Director Hirokazu Kore-eda

Cast Arata Iura, Erika Oda,

Susumu Terajima, Taketoshi Naito

Life, death and the importance of making memories are at the core of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s quietly reflective late–’90s classic.

22 people are interviewed in a bland office. They are dead and, before they pass over, must choose a single memory that will be painstakingly recreated for them. Helping them are the staff, including Takashi (Arata Iura) and Shiori (Erika Oda), whose job is rather more difficult than it first appears, with one of the clients having a direct connection to Takashi.

With almost no music and lengthy scenes of characters (largely portrayed by first-time actors) monologuing straight to camera, After Life may sound like a difficult watch. In fact, it’s captivating: a gently devastating reflection on the fleeting nature of life. At the same time, there’s an amusing pragmatism to the counsellors’ jobs. Kore-eda’s own approach is also pragmatic; this metaphysical tale is depicted with a documentary-style realism that makes it all the more affecting.

Extras The main draw on this disc – first released last year as part of a Kore-eda box set – is 17 minutes of deleted scenes, including more overtly comic material. You also get commentary by writer Tara Judah, footage of the director discussing his working methods at the 2013 London Film Festival (47 minutes), and an interview with star Arata Iura (16 minutes). Will Salmon