Two Japanese films bag Oscars
'Okuribito' wins in best foreign language category, 'Tsumiki no Ie' for short animation
LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) Japanese film "Okuribito" ("Departures") won the Oscar for best foreign-language film, while Japanese entry "Tsumiki no Ie" was chosen as best animated short film at the 81st Annual Academy Awards ceremony Sunday. Directed by Yojiro Takita, "Okuribito" depicts the dignity of life and death through the eyes of its protagonist, who makes his living placing bodies into coffins.
The film, which won the grand prix at the Montreal World Film Festival last summer, has received critical acclaim both within and outside of Japan.
It is the first time since 1956 that a Japanese film won the Oscar in this specific category.
