The film is an "incredible portrait of unbelievable humanity" (RogerEbert.com) that follows a former punk rocker-turned-Buddhist priest, Ittetsu Nemoto, who is famous in Japan for saving the lives of countless suicidal men and women. Festival reviews were glowing across the board, with IndieWire calling the film, "Immensely moving.. Lyrical.. and deeply meditative." PR is being handled by Susan Norget nationally and The 2050 Group at the local level.

 

FESTIVAL PRESS
"Immensely moving. Lyrical and deeply meditative…digs deep into major questions without being afraid of the answers."
– IndieWire
 
"One of the major discoveries of the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, Lana Wilson's The Departure is a beautiful, wise, and deeply empathetic immersion into one fascinating character's unique approach to suicide prevention. A quietly impressive work whose images, characters, and ruminations linger on long after the lights come up."
– Scott Macaulay, Filmmaker Magazine
 
"Stunning. The movie probes this man’s fascinating life with a graceful ennui."
– Brandon Harris, Filmmaker Magazine
 
"a deeply moving and intimate movie.”
- Reel News Daily
 
"One of the most moving films at this year's festival...gorgeous and contemplative. The Departure is a powerful work of documentary, cinema, advocacy, and art."
– Toronto Film Scene