Inferior Quotations

White Arial Regular: But while you’re here, there is one thing you must do. From the entire 85 years of your life... we need you to select one memory. One memory that was most meaningful or precious to you. There is a time limit. You have three days to decide. When you’ve chosen your memory, our staff will do their best to recreate it on film. On Saturday we’ll screen the films for you. As soon as you’ve relived your memory, you will move on, taking only that memory with you.

Linda C. Ehrlich (commentary): We’re going to find in this film poignant memories, fabricated memories, quiet moments of happiness remembered. What Kore-eda is asking for is a choice of a taisetsuna omoide — an important memory — not necessarily a monumental one.

Linda C. Ehrlich (commentary): New York Times film critic Stephen Holden called this rather dingy building a metaphysical weigh station. So please think a moment, what memory would you choose to take with you into eternity?

IQ: Maybe standing alone in the Adriatic, looking down to watch the orange and purple sky diffract and dance on the surface of the choppy water. Temperature must have been perfect.

Linda C. Ehrlich (commentary): Kore-eda writes, I remember thinking that people forget everything when they died. I now understand how critical memories are to our identity, to a sense of self.