MovieChat Forums > Okuribito (2009) Discussion > Hollywood remake in the works...

Hollywood remake in the works...

posted 14 years ago by Kinglott
20 replies | jump to latest

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1684228/

http://www.screendaily.com/news/production/us-americas/-mpca-to-produce-us-remake-of-japanese-oscar-winner-departures/5015637.article

Not sure how a film so focused on the culture of Japan can be remade with the US in mind.

[–] rooprect 14 years ago

Woah. I agree, it would be really hard to put this in an American context because America doesn't have the same noble tradidions associated with death, irrespective of religion. We just sew 'em up, put 'em in a suit & plant 'em. I think the only way an American film would be successful with this subject is if they make it a comedy. Weekend at Bernies kind of stuff.

[–] Hythlodaeus 9 years ago

PS: I love your Rooprect icon - "Take the cork off the fork" - "May I use the bathroom ... thank you."

Weekend and Bernie's - I hate that movie - so horrible, how many times can you make the exact same stupid joke and defy the laws of decomposition and humor?

What hump? 

[–] rooprect 9 years ago

"Take the cork off the fork" - "May I use the bathroom ... thank you."

Hahaha, two of the best, along with "OklahomaOklahomaOklahomaOklahoma...!" :D
And I'll never forgive Weekend at Bernies for absolutely wasting the talents of the incredible Terry Kiser. I can see the producer's meeting: "Gentlemen, it cost us plenty but we got Terry Kiser," "Ooh great, let's have him play the corpse."

[–] Hythlodaeus 9 years ago

Maybe it takes greater acting skill to play a corpse?

I miss DRS now, need to see it again.

What hump? 

[–] Mr_Eccentric 14 years ago

Oh please no.

[–] AttiKKus 14 years ago

Why, oh why do they always feel the need to butcher great films with remakes? And I agree, it's going to be hard to put that in a US context... come on... please somebody stops that from happening... seriously

[–] ra_harakte 14 years ago

I loved this movie! and like everytime it happens, I´m concerned about that constant need of hollywood for remakes...but, I was thinking...do native americans have specific funeral ceremonies?..If they have, I think that could be the best way to bring a film like Departures to an american context...otherwise..they will totally ruin it

[–] Kinglott 14 years ago

Even if they make a remake which is acceptable, I feel that it's disrespectful to remake such a new movie as if they're saying "We can do this better".

[–] mrbobbyh 13 years ago

I don't think they're saying "We can do this better." I think it's more of a "Hey, we can make some money off this concept..."

[–] melholden (96) 5 years ago

While mostly I agree with you - unfortunately a lot of people won't bother seeing a movie if it's in a foreign language.

[–] SeisCinemaSeis 14 years ago

This must be a joke! There's nothing remotely similar in the states to this japanese tradition about dressing, making-up and casketing the dead ones in the presence of their relatives. Actually in the states happens exactly the opposite, people haven't the least interest on watching their beloved ones being "prepared" to their last journey, so to speak.
It won't work. Besides who's the idiot who had the "brilliant" idea about remaking an academy award winner? Nonsense.

[–] smoko 14 years ago

*puts arms outwards, drops to knees, looks toward the heavens (all in slow motion)*

Noooooooooohhhhh!

[–] Samuraibro 13 years ago

LOL, does this honestly surprise anyone?

All the world will be your enemy, Prince With a Thousand Enemies. And whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first, they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, Prince with the swift warning. Be cunning, full of tricks, and your people shall never be destroyed.

There are those who still know- they're still home. We're still home.

~Proud to be a Gleek!~

You watch me, just watch me. I'm calling, I'm calling. And one day all will know...

La Vie Boheme!

[–] drunkdaddy69 13 years ago

Starring Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence. 2 of the most racist comedians out there. who would watch THAT crap.

[–] stevem-26 11 years ago

If I were Emperor, like in Amadeus, I would ban remakes.
Ones that were as good as, or better, a very few indeed.

Brideshead Revisited remake - Yucck!

Tinker Tailor, give me a break! Empty razzle dazzle that did dazzle, a lot of people drooled and raved, but I bet it's forgotten five years from now. Compare with the incomparable original. If they try to remake Smiley's People, I will turn to activism and demonstrations.

I have seen, however, ANOTHER film in a book sometimes, but not a remake.

I am writing film adaptations of older literature, and it seems I'm writing for actors who are dead, and audiences who are soon following. Makes a nice hobby, anyway.

[–] the sphynx 13 years ago

Indeed. Even the business of saving face by not allowing his work to be known, and social pressure to quit, would be hard to translate. And how would they handle the bathhouse lady subplot? I do hope they decide to leave well enough alone.

[–] kakkuaa 13 years ago

'Departures' in an american setting? That makes me think of 'Six Feet Under'. It will be interesting to see if they manage to create something that's not too similar and isn't compared to it. Given the brillians of 'SFU' that's not something you want to measure up against, so to speak.

[–] tallard 13 years ago

Probably turn out like shall we dance, completely out of context. sigh. such a beautiful film can not be remade, it's a travesty.

***So I've seen 4 movies/wk in theatre for a 1/4 century, call me crazy?**