Juzo Itami’s breakout debut is a sharp, deadpan comedy that turns a traditional Japanese funeral into a quietly hilarious study of social ritual, family obligation, and cultural performance. When a middle-class couple is suddenly tasked with organizing a full Buddhist funeral, their confusion—and obsession with “doing it right”—spirals into a series of perfectly observed comic moments.
Wry, elegant, and deceptively simple, The Funeral announced Itami as a major voice in Japanese cinema and remains a touchstone of 1980s international film, balancing satire with genuine warmth.
