Music: Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens
THE MAN WHO WALKS ON SNOW
This town used to be bustling with activity.
but now it has gone to sleep.
This port full of strangers here to fish for herring
didn't even manage to become a vacation resort.
It got left behind by the economic boom.
While I've spent half my life here.
2 years ago.
I lost my be loved wife.
Salmon and herring
Once abundant
Now absent
"KUNIMARE " SAKE Made and sold here
In the far north
Mashike. An old town
An old-world feel
I told you. He's just gone out again.
Where does your father go each day??
I have no idea. He won't answer my questions.
He goes off without a word.
- Does he ramble?? - What??
I asked you if he rambles.
You mean Alzheimer's??
I wonder... but I don't think so.
Of course. he's old. my mom's no longer there...
If he's got Alzheimer's. all that has nothing to do with it.
You should take him to see a doctor.
I considered it. but it's impossible.
He won't listen... He won't even go to the dispensary.
Spitting image of his mother
The younger son's touching
When he smiles
ICE CREAM
Listen...
Can we see each other tonight??
I have something to tell you...
Let's meet at 7.
What do you want to say??
- I'll tell you tonight. - What??
No point insisting.
See you tonight.
What does she want to tell me??
Seventy years old
Physically he is
In great shape
- Coming home late tonight?? - No.
- Isn't the group rehearsing?? - Not tonight.
Why not??
Is there a problem??
I've been thinking...
I should break up the group.
You didn't tell me.
What's going on??
Tell me!
I'm past thirty now.
I think it's time to be realistic...
And there's our child to consider...
True...
I don't want to keep living off you.
Maybe we should...
go and live at my place.
Your father's??
- That's... - Fighting guaranteed.
- How... - He and I are too similar.
That's why it didn't work.
But now it should be OK.
I'm sure he'd like us to live together.
And he's going to be a grandfather...
Does he know... that we're having a child??
How will he take it??
He'll be pleased. I'm sure.
He'll be so pleased... he might go soft in the head.
Tell me...
Are you a bit depressed??
I'm a fighter. I'll always be a fighter.
Really??
Elder son
No success
Failed musician
Northern country
Covered in snow
Half the year round
DUTY FREE for Russian visitors
Hi!
It's you again!
There's no entry for unauthorized persons.
It's too late now!
I've told you before!
It's a public company.
If it's a public company.
It belongs to the public.
As I'm Japanese. I'm part of that public.
I'm not an unauthorized person.
Not very convincing.
When are they going into the pool??
- Soon. - When??
- Next week. - Next week??
That's soon.
They must feel very cramped in there.
Hang in there! It won't belong now...
Salmon and you
To see you and speak to you
I go a long way
I had a phone call.
He asked me to come to Okinawa.
He's run off over there??
From the far north of Japan to the far south!
That's right! From one end to the other!
It's summer there??
In Okinawa. It's always summer.isn't it??
It's probably not summer. but it's warm.
It's very different from here. Apparently people are very open.
When you live in a cold place. your heart and body are all tensed up.
What's more. you're stubborn!
- Me?? - Yes.
Do you come to relax??
No. I come a long way to see your pretty face.
Liar!
You come to see the salmon. the baby salmon.
If you like.
Your wife died nearly two years ago.
Yes.
Are you having the ceremony on Sunday??
Is it good??
Very.
You drink nothing else.
Just "cafe au lait ".
You've been loyal to it a long time??
You're a loyal person. you are.
Yes.
- You don't drink alcohol?? - No.
- But you make it! - My in-laws did.
- Where were you born?? - Tohoku.
- The state of Iwate?? - No. Yamagata.
- Want me to carry you?? - Again!
I love that!
- Everyone's looking at us! - That doesn't matter.
Come on!
- What'll you do?? - About what??
The monster wanted by the police.
The husband you're separated from.
What do you expect me to do??
Going to run after him??
Forget him!
Stop missing a crook who stole from the State!
No point talking about it.
You have no right to talk about it.
Really??
- Are you jealous?? - Not at all.
- You are jealous! - No!
- Liar! - I'm not!
Look at you! It's much too hard for you!
I carried my wife on my back alot!
Do you like it that much??
You know...
I think you should really
move in with me.
With you??
I'm saying what I think. with absolute...
conviction.
You really must forget that guy.
You and I aren't quite the same age. but actually...
that doesn't bother me at all.
We go well together. the two of us.
- I'd be second-hand. - Second time around for you. too.
Think it over.
I will.
Think it over well.
I will.
Hey! You're back already??
- Where did you go?? - For a walk.
- I wonder where. - For a walk.
Leave it open.
Have you sorted out the anniversary ceremony??
It's not difficult.
The bonze has been told.
The ritual meal will be supplied with sushi and tempura.
There's not that many of us...
It wasn't very difficult.
You have to invite everyone.
Who's "everyone "??
Everyone is everyone. All the people who live nearby.
Nobody will come.
You told me not to invite anybody.
You said. keep it in the family.
There'll be just the two of us.
Just the two of us??
Yes.
Wait!
What??
Ryoichi??
You didn't want me to call him.
- He's the elder son! - It's too late.
Wait!
What??
Invite Ryoichi.
It's too late. The anniversary's in 2 days.
- Tell him to come. - It's too late!
Wait!
What??
And her too. Tell Ryoichito bring her.
I tell you.it's too late.
People always have lots of things to do.
Anyway. he won't come.
Even at Mom's funeral. he didn't stay long.
But he's the elder son!
- I don't want to. - Invite him!
I don't want to!
Yasuo!
What an idiot!
He always says no to everything.
What a waste!
Sorry I'm late.
What time is it??
8 o'clock. No. just before.
- You're always late. - I was doing Dad's diner.
It's always the same: " I was doing Dad's diner ".
Couldn't he do it himself??
Too late. My mother always did it for him.
I'm sure he could manage to do it.
- Impossible! - No!
- Impossible! - No.it's not!
Let's eat. Curry or spaghetti??
- Nothing. - Why??
I'm going home.
I won't go to the hotel with you.
Tonight. I'm going home.
Oh. yes??
Coffee. please.
- Have another. - Don't insist.
- I decided to break up. - Who with??
- With you. - With me?? Why??
You're too stupid.
- Why laugh?? - I'm stupid.
- Do you agree?? - I agree.
- Idiot! - Don't repeat it!
Stop it!
It's true. you know.
I decided to break up.
Oh. yes??
- Got another guy?? - Top secret.
- You have?? - Top secret.
- Impossible. I see you every day. - I have.
Really??
I've got a guy.
What?? So you were lying??
- But I am breaking up. - Why??
Because you're stupid.
You're not weaned at your age! I hate guys like you.
Cooking. cleaning. washing...
You pamper your father too much!
What's wrong?? Are you jealous??
- Who?? - That must be it.
- Jealous?? - Of course!
I'm going to meet some suitors.
- For an arranged marriage?? - That's right.
Go ahead. You'll appreciate me all the more.
- Perhaps... - Certainly.
Perhaps. But I may also decide to dump you
and be profoundly attracted to a guy that's much better than you.
Profoundly...
Yes. profoundly.
- Attracted... - Yes.
Go see your suitors. then!
The bill! You could at least pay it!
What are you doing here??
Waiting for you.
Why??
No reason.
That's strange.
Can we go??
Of course we can go.
I'm coming.
Come on.
I'm coming.
In this cold. you want an ice cream??
You didn't know I liked ice cream??
No. I didn't know that.
After all these years together. you didn't know that??
I didn't know.
What's going to become of us??
How do you mean??
You so liked to sing with your group...
We'll become an ordinary couple.
We'll have a baby.
We'll just be a guy and a girl.
It's not that bad. Am I wrong??
I'm not really sure...
but it makes me sad.
Your mobile's ringing.
It's me.
Who's me??
Yasuo.
It's you??
I'm coming tomorrow.
Where??
To see you.
Why??
I want to talk to you.
No need to come. Tell me what you want to say now.
When I see you.
Tell me now.
Tell me!?
Hello??
Yasuo!?
What's going on??
Hello??
Sorry.
- What came over you?? - Sorry!?
What's wrong??
Look. I want to see you. It's not easy over the phone.
Tomorrow. I'll call from the station.
I don't know where you work.
I'll call from the station.
That's all for now. I'll call you as soon as I arrive.
See you tomorrow. Goodbye.
Was that Yasuo??
What did he want??
I have no idea.
What's he up to??
Here. Mashike...
and there...
Okinawa.
It's not very near!
What's wrong??
Why are you looking at me like that??
No reason.
I was just thinking that you came home early tonight.
That's how it is. That's all.
You had just a coffee??
Just a coffee.
- Things aren't great between you?? - Nope.
Things aren't great. So what??
Nobody understands me!
- Sit down. - No.
- Sit down. - No way.
- Don't pull that face! - No way.
Sit down!
I'm shutting the door.
I'm sitting down.
Now. speak.
Well??
Do you know Okinawa??
- Sure. - Is there a perpetual summer??
Well.It's not exactly Hawaii.
Is there a winter??
Sure there is.
Is there really... a winter??
With snow??
If you go to the mountains. there must be.
What do you mean??
Even in Africa. it snows on Mount Kilimanjaro.
What??
You really are profoundly stupid.
Why??
It's unthinkable that it snows in Okinawa.
It's bound to snow! There's snow on every mountain!
- Not surprising you didn't graduate! - What??
Not surprising your girlfriend dumps you.
- What are you saying?? - I'm talking to myself.
- It doesn't look like it! - I'm talking to myself. That's all.
No. that's not all.
Yasuo!
What??
Stay.
Why??
Stay!
Nobody understands me!
Mother's been dead two years now. hasn't she??
Two years at least!
Those two years went by fast.
To me... they seemed very long.
When Mother died.
I made myself a promise...
Until the second anniversary.
I swore myself to chastity.
Chastity??
I now intend to embark on a second life.
What's so admirable??
I'm stunned.
- Stunned?? - Yes.
And now the day is upon me.
- What day?? - The day of the opening.
The opening of the gates...
- I don't understand a word. - Never mind.
I'm going to bed.
Yasuo.
What??
Sleep well.
Good night.
'Night.
That boy is so stupid!
When you're stupid. you're stupid for life...
Here's Mashike. There's Okinawa.
Okinawa...
Here's Okinawa. There.it's -10. It's Mashike.
He says it snows there...
Hello.
Big brother!
That's the coffee Dad likes.
That one??
He only drinks this one.
You didn't know that??
- No. - Dad's crazy about Okinawa.
Okinawa??
- You didn't know that. either. - No.
You know nothing about him!
On Sunday.it'll be two years...
- Which Sunday?? - Tomorrow.
I know. That's something I don't forget.
- Sure. - Only natural.
- So. you'll come. - No.
Really??
- Why not?? - I'm busy.
- Got a rehearsal?? - Right.
- Carrying on?? - Yes.
- You should stop. - It's not that easy.
- Why not?? - Because.
That's a Russian boat.
We can get guns if we want.
- That's right. you like all that. - I don't.
- You like to fight. - Not anymore.
- You don't fight anymore?? - Not now.
You've changed.
Man changes all the time. Like running water.
- What's that?? - I don't know.
Come tomorrow.
- I won't go. - Why not??
- I said I'm busy. - So. cancel it.
It's not that easy.
You're so stupid. you know.
- How's the group?? - We've had it.
Not just the group. Everything : my life. all the rest. It's a disaster.
You want to start over??
No. not particularly.
I think about it every day.
Go back to being 16 years old... No. 12.
Actually. I want to start from scratch.
- From your birthday?? - No. the genetic heritage.
You're crazy!
- Nobukois pregnant. - Well. congratulations!
I don't know how we'll get by.
She'll stop working. We don't have any savings.
My job is irregular.
- You could get a job. - There's nothing here.
So. go to Tokyo.
- Without savings. you can't rent a place. - Oh. yes.
Nothing I can do about it. I'm stuck.
You could go home...
What??
- Impossible. - Not at all.
I have my pride.
Just apologize. Ask Dad for forgiveness.
I don't want to.
I don't want to live with Dad.
You've nothing to live on!
Too bad!
Without losing my breath
I saw the mountain
So lovely today
Hey...
Invite me to diner tonight. To celebrate the baby...
Meat...
- I want meat. - If you like.
- Can Nobuko come?? - Sure.
I'm going to stuff my face... with meat!
Me too! Meat!
I'm going to gorge... on meat!
Gorge... on meat!
Did you think I'd gone to Okinawa??
It must have been a shock.
About your request yesterday...
What request??
Have you forgotten??
Do you remember??
Tell me...
You really have forgotten.
You wanted... to marry me.
Me??
You don't remember??
Yes. I do remember!
- I thought you were joking. - No!
- Is it serious?? - Of course.
If we get married.
we'll have to kiss and cuddle at least once a week.
Or there'll be a divorce.
Once a week might be a bit difficult...
but two times a month should be possible.
- Really?? - I can guarantee it.
Really??
So.let's try.
Here?? All right.
Caress me.
Go on. caress me!
Come on!
Where??
Is that all??
That's all.
In that case. I won't marry you.
All's well...
that ends well.
Is that all??
Can I carry you on my back??
Tomorrow...
is the second anniversary of my wife's death.
I know that that's no reason...
I'm not specially proud of it.
but I knew other women besides my wife.
I think that that's just fine.
And I think
that I'd like to die like that.
It wouldn't be bad to have managed
to preserve one thing all through my life.
For me. that's important...
but for you...
I'm sorry.
Maybe I said some misleading things.
I sure was misled.
No.it's not true!
The salmon are lucky!
They spend half their lives in the open sea.
Completely free...
I've always been tied down somewhere...
always clinging on... always...
You're the only one!
I'm going to Okinawa.
It'll be hard.
I know.
Nobuko said to start without her.
She seemed happy to be seeing you.
Why??
Women prefer dependable guys like you.
I'm unstable.
And I'm dependable??
Comparatively.
- Look at that! - It looks good!
Come on. eat. Enjoy.
It's on me...
Right. I'll dig in.
Go ahead.
- How did the contest go?? - The famous one...
Yes. the one on Sapporo TV. They were broadcasting the final.
- It's over. - What??
- The broadcast of the final. - Over??
We got eliminated from the selection.
We didn't go on TV.
We went to Sapporo. We even played in a studio.
But it didn't work out.
Know what a guy on the jury told me??
OK. the music's a cover version.
but you should think about changing the singer.
You always sung badly.
I don't sing badly.
I'm not bad - just dull.
Dull...
But that wasn't all.
People said they knew who was going to win.
It was rigged.
All that's a rip-off. It's political.
Drink your beer. Have fun.
- It's on me. - I know. but drink up. Cheers.
- How long have you been gone?? - What's with you??
Has it been 10 years??
12. I'd just finished high school.
That long??
12 years. plowing my furrow...
and still no buds to show for it. It's hellish.
- Maybe in the 13th... - Who knows...
Maybe not.in fact.
Are you a bit of a masochist??
You talk about rip-offs. politics...
You revolt at the slightest thing.
What motivates you??
I'm not like that. I accept what comes my way.
It's natural that the strongest wins.
That's exactly what disgusts me.
Only money provides power.
Still a rebel. then??
Anti-establishment. more like.
Actually. I'm a weakling...
an anti-authority conservative.
Between you and me.
there's a kind of generation gap.
You talk like you used to.
Oh. yes??
But. you know. I've been making music for 12 years.
and to me. that's all there is.
I couldn't do anything else.
Even if I remain unknown.
devoting my life to my group will have been my aesthetic.
No matter how others judge me.
Don't get hung up on that.
- You can do what you want. - Such as??
Anything. You're good at math. a good organizer...
You could also make sake.
When you were at high school. a sake maker said it was in your blood.
That's only natural. I take after Mother.
- No. I do. - You take after Dad.
The elder boy always does.
You're his spitting image.
Inflexible. stubborn...
Whereas Mom was gentle and transparent.
You see. I am like her.
It's always the best who go first...
General cancer...
Shut up. Stop talking about Mom.
Come home. Take over the business.
I did it. You're capable of it.
- That's enough. - Why??
- Stop talking about it. - Why??
Did you come to talk to me about that??
- Not really. - So. stop.
- But... - That's enough!
Thanks for the meal.
Isn't it your treat??
Yes. but the meal's over.isn't it??
So. that's how it is??
- I'm going home. - Wait!
Be nice. Nobuko will be here. Have another drink.
I must do Dad's diner.
- Forget it! - It's not that easy.
If no one sees to it. he'll do it.
- That's easy to say. - Do what I say.
It's not as easy as that!
Not as easy as you think.
How can I stay with him and do nothing??
- In that case... - In that case. what??
You mean. I can just run off. too??
You already ran off after a fight with Dad!
How can you tell me to run off. too??
I don't see what the problem is. If you want to go. just go.
If you put Dad first. you'll never do a thing.
That's what's happening at the moment.
You give everything else up to make Dad's meals.
You're the best placed to know I'm right.
If you don't like it. stop!
If you want to go. just go!
- In that case. come home. - Not again!
If you're worried about me. come home!
Don't talk stupid!
It's not stupid to ask you to take over from me!
You did what you wanted. didn't you??
You left 12 years ago.
You did what you wanted. didn't you??
That's enough.isn't it??
Couldn't you take over from me now??
I only got off just now.
- Good to see you. Yasuo. - Same here.
- Has something happened?? - No. Nothing at all.
For tomorrow's ceremony. I'm counting on you. It's at 11.
Nobuko. you're welcome to come. too. Dad wants you to.
Anyway. I must be getting back.
See you tomorrow. Congratulations on your pregnancy.
What happened??
We had a talk. you know.
Is a beer OK for you??
- In my condition... - You can. In moderation.
Really?? Alright.
Excuse me!
Two draft beers. please!
The meat is good. Do you want a steak??
- How about a 1 -pounder?? - You're kidding!
Eat! Eat as much as you can.
He left more than enough money. So. eat your fill.
A 1 -pounder is far too much...
Don't worry. Just leave what you can't eat.
It's good to go wild for once!
Let's cover the table with plates...
full of meat.
What happened??
I can't do it!
Do what??
I try not to lose face in front of Yasuo.
It ruins everything!
Anniversary of her death
Beloved wife departed before me
Two years already
You came!
Sure.
Thanks for last night.
Don't mention it. None of that between us.
- Is Dad already inside?? - No.
He's out walking. It's his daily activity.
I didn't think he'd be out today.
How far does he go??
I have no idea.
Say...
What??
You haven't changed your mind??
The salmon come back after three or four years...
The salmon...
Aahhh
They're imprinted on my retina
Her milky breasts
What's he up to??
He'll be here soon.
Unbelievable! He hasn't changed his style!
I'll go see what's going on.
Look... Isn't that him over there??
What's that flashy scarf??
It's his favorite.
- Did I keep you waiting?? - Where were you??
I lost my way.
- Where?? - Over there.
- Where?? - Over there is over there!
Let's calm down! The bonze is waiting for us.
Let's go.
- Thank you for having us. - Are you Nobuko??
Yes.
- So. he's Ryoichi?? - Pardon me??
Yes.
He's pretending to be senile. It's ridiculous.
Please offer the incense.
Right.
What's so funny??
Hey!
Listen. Yasuo.
If you want. I'll come back and live here.
I'm prepared to take over from you.
Really??
Why do the best
Always die too soon??
Deep snow
Yasuo. did you give the money to the bonze??
As scatterbrained as ever!
- Right. Well. we... - You're leaving??
- Are you in a hurry?? - No. that's not it...
Come join us for the ritual meal.
You come. too.
All right.
One of you should come nearer.
It's like a desert in front of me.
Ryoichi! Nobuko!
Won't you drink with us??
No. I have what I need.
Caned coffee! Atrocious!
Well. I like it.
Oh yes. really??
Don't judge people's tastes.
Yeah. yeah...
One "yes "is enough.
Would you like a cup of tea??
What a good idea. I would like that.
OK. I'll go.
Let me do it.
Thanks.
So. how are things??
How's your life nowadays??
- My life now?? - Are you still playing music??
More or less.
The problem is. you're a bad singer.
- You heard him sing?? - Yes.
When??
It could rot an egg.
That's enough!
That's right. Let's stop talking about that.
That's enough.
It could rot sushi.
- Going?? - I'll be back.
Nobuko...
Thanks for today.
- I think you're repeating yourself. - I'm so happy.
We haven't all been together in so long.
That's true.
It would be good if you came more often.
We will.
- Is it a boy?? - Would you prefer that??
I'd prefer a girl.
I wonder what it'll be...
Where's the tea??
Over there.
Thank you.
This kitchen's terrible. It lacks so many things.
I wonder how your mother managed...
She wanted a fitted kitchen put in.
But Dad always said no.
Oh. yes??
There's only a gas ring!
Do I really have to cook in here??
One thing at a time.
I'll tell Dad to get a fitted kitchen.
Oh. yes. I'd really like one.
Hey. Ryoichi...
What??
You're hiding your mother's face.
It's about time...
you made your mind up.
- About what?? - About her.
It's not customary to live together.
What do her family say about it??
Nothing much.
I'd be surprised.
What matters above all is eating.
Convention comes second.
Talking of eating...
What??
It's about time to stop.
Stop what??
You've been around. haven't you??
You've tried everything. haven't you??
You must think about her.
By being stubborn like that. you're ruining other people's lives.
- Not stubborn... - What. then??
- I am not stubborn. - What are you??
- That's enough now! - No!
That's enough!
You made your mother cry so much...
Now it's Nobuko's turn.
I wonder where your tantrums will lead you...
What did you say??
What did you just say??
Say that again!
You made your mother cry.
And I'm wondering if it's Nobuko's turn now.
It's true.isn't it??
How many times did your mother cry over you??
It's like you killed her!
If not...if not. she had no reason to die so quickly.
She wouldn't have died before me!
You're incurable. really incurable!
A terminal case!
You won't understand a thing till the day you die.
You'll only ever understand yourself.
- What?? - Am I wrong??
Did you understand Mom??
Do you understand me. Yasuo or Nobuko??
Not one thing!
If you understood. you wouldn't let Yasuo serve you every day.
He's nearly 30 years old.
He wants to do lots of things. have lots of experiences.
All you think about is being pampered.
What do you understand about him?? Not a thing!
How dare you??
Aren't you ashamed of hitting your father??
- Know what he told me at my place?? - Big brother!
Let me speak! That's why you came!
- Yasuo told me... - Shut up!
- Let go! - Shut up!
- Let go of me! - Shut up!
Go home!
Don't ever come back!
Don't you worry about me.
Do what you think's best. Live your life as you see fit.
Father!
I want to stay with Dad.
I don't stay against my will.
I'm staying to look after Dad of my own free will.
I like the job I do here.
It's the only job I can and want to do.
I want to stay in this village just the way I am.
That's my way of life.
Dad!
Apologize!
Accusing him of Mom's death...
Even if it's hard on you. it's insane!
Apologize!
Dad!
Who are you??
Hey. Yasuo...
Are you sure you want to stay??
Really sure??
All right.
- Dad! - What??
You know.
Intended to leave the group.
I wanted to come with her and live in this house with you.
But I see now... that it's impossible.
The two of us are condemned not to get along forever.
I think it's really screwed.
Well. don't you think so??
No. I don't think so.
You should try to make a go of your music again.
Before. you told me to stop!
Continuity makes a person strong.
You're talking nonsense.
But as I'm going to be a father...
I don't have much time to lose.
Is it true??
Yes.
Ryoichi. the elder son
He sings really badly
But he's going to be a father
I came to see you.
I met a suitor.
I rejected him.
I apologized.
You're lying. You didn't meet anyone.
I won't abandon my father.
I'll stay with him.
Is that OK with you??
No!
I love you! I love you! I love you!
MASHIKE STATION
Your mother...
your mother. before she died.
said to me...
" I never should have married you.
Before I married you.
I'd met a suitor.
He seemed to be a very nice man.
I should have married him. "
Then. she started laughing.
Carry on...
living...
a long time.
The old house weighs on me
I'm the fifth generation
Of sake makers
All of you. my dear little things.
will soon be free...
in the huge ocean.
When you're big. come home.
Come back. all of you!
Come back to me.
Father : Ken OGATA
Younger son. Yasuo: Yasufumi HAYASHI
His fiancee: Fusako URABE
Fish farmer : Sayoko ISHII
Nobuko: Nene OOTSUKA
Elder son. Ryoichi: Teruyuki KAGAWA
A MONKEY TOWN PRODUCTION
Photography: Nobuyasu KITA
Lighting: Masahiro KIMURA
Sound: Mitsuru SEYA
Sound effects: Yukio FUKUSHIMA
Editing: Naoki KANEKO
Music based on Saint-Saens
Arrangements: Tatsuya ICHIHARA - Junpei SAKUMA
In memory of my mother
Produced. written and directed by Masahiro KOBAYASHI
Subtitles: J. Miller
Subtitling Titra Film Paris