In this poignant Japanese film directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara, we find ourselves in a world where the dead arrive at a peculiar intermediary place, a sort of celestial office, before deciding what to do with their past lives. Here, each soul must choose a single memory from their life to be preserved and, ultimately, to be reincarnated.
The story follows a diverse group of characters who, on their journey to the afterlife, must grapple with their past, their regrets, and moments of happiness. A young man carrying a very special memory, an elderly woman longing for her childhood, and a man who never found his purpose are just a few of those who cross paths in this surreal setting. As they share their stories, deep connections and reflections on life and death are created, inviting the viewer to contemplate the nature of existence itself.
The melancholic atmosphere is complemented by stunning visual aesthetics and a soundtrack that evokes raw emotions. Through these endearing characters, the film explores themes such as memory, love, loss, and redemption, leaving the audience with a bittersweet feeling that lingers long after the credits have rolled. With a poetic and philosophical approach, the work challenges our ideas about what it means to live and what truly matters in the grand scheme of life.