I figured he was that kind of guy,
but that was hardly relevant to my plans
The crucial question, was when I told him I was pregnant,
would he grudgingly accept it or run away
Takashi
I'm pregnant
Really... good...
When we moved into the housing project,
I thought I had arrived at a shimmering new future
Don't cry, now
Mana, can Mommy have some ice cream?
Mmm, yummy
Look Ko
Why's Ko crying?
Up so high, high Stopped crying
Doing the exact opposite of my detested mother
I started my new family
Mama
What's wrong? Did you see a ghost?
Don't be scary
This area used to be a cemetery
Cut it out
Mother, are you OK?
Yes, I just spaced out a little
Seconds? More beer, Papa?
Teacher
In our family, we share everything
Our rule is we hide absolutely nothing from each other
Right, when I got my first period, we had a party to celebrate
And we had a Celebrate Ko's Awakening to Sex Party
Sister!
Mama, tell us how you lost your virginity
Right now? Oh, no
No secrets in our family
I'll write it up in a report later
Tell us now, with teacher here, too
When was it... not in front of Papa It was Papa, after all
That's not what you said before
Tell us
How was it, Papa?
Don't... don't ask me
Wasn't it you, Papa?
It was Papa
Of course it was Papa
I've only slept with him
That's not what I heard before...
A family without secrets is like a love hotel room with no windows
What does that mean?
Oh, I don't mean anything strange
It was just a metaphor, nothing more
And do you use them, teacher?
Of course not
I'd like to see a room with no windows
Ko, that's a fantastic seduction line You're a natural
Have you had a Caught Dad Cheating Party?
Not yet
No, no, no, no, no
No, no party like that
No, no
It's time for me to go
Thank you for the lovely meal
Oh, not at all
Sorry for not cleaning up
- See you - Take care, then
Take care, teacher
Thanks
Going on a date, now?
Maybe that's a secret
See you, Ko
Thank you
Do your homework
See you, take care, bye bye
Honey, there's no more beer Guess I have to go buy some
No more beer...
Reeks of perfume
Ko, can you clean that up?
Do you ever get horny for your teacher?
She's got big tits
I don't get horny for her But her breasts are big
Hmmm How's the studying going?
I'm realizing what my weakness is
What's your weakness?
I get too obsessed
But it's important to be obsessed
If you really want to be beautiful, or be cool,
you tend to get what you want
Even this place, I really wanted to live here,
and I got to
At the time, this was the place everyone coveted
I thought, "I got what I wanted! Now our family can be happy"
That's what I mean by obsessed
When you get obsessed, you shut out reality
Mina, I wanted to see you
You see me every week
I'll go to the store
More...
Lady, no smoking or cell phones allowed
Don't you hear me? No smoking, look
The No Smoking sign
I'll throw you off the bus
Driver...
What a drag
I'm his guardian, Kinosaki Satoko
My grandson caused you so much trouble
How can I apologize...
What a provincial department store
Got me out of a jam, thanks, Sacchan
Not so fast
What?
I'm your guardian
Sorry, did you buy it?
Who's she?
Sacchan
Sacchan?
I'm his guardian, Kinosaki Satoko
I thought I had money...
You got caught shoplifting?
I had to get her, she's my guardian...
Why did you bring your grandma?
It's too surreal
What does surreal mean?
Have fun with your grandma
Don't "grandma" me Want me to set your hair on fire?
When you ask a kid to shop for you,
the mature thing to do is to give him enough money
How much? How much were the tampons?
What a drag
I'm not asking for the money
Dragging a kid to a place like this What if his parents find out?
You've got parents, don't you?
No, I don't
Well, excuse the fuck out of me
Go ahead and tell his parents
Ko, why not learn how to fuck from an experienced, mature woman
Fax? Send it where?
Teacher
Ko
Tell me the truth How far have you gone with her?
This?
Or...
This?
Did you get this far?
I haven't gone anywhere
I just heard that love hotels don't have windows,
so I had her bring me here
You're right, there are no windows
I'll take you to the hospital
Maybe I'll rest here
The bath looks nice and big
All right, but you have to swear not to tell Mom
No, I won't You need bus fare?
I've got it But thanks
We all come into this world crying And bloody, too
Hey, Kyobashi!
What are you doing, Mokki, running up the stairs?
Did you hear?
What?
Discovery Mall has to halt development Way to go
What?
Justice prevails, after all
Oh, and you know
You gotta stop calling me Mokki It's way too tacky
See you
I'll meet you at your new place
The Taniis from the 10th floor moved out
It's getting so Ionely here
I wonder who'll move in to their place
Who'd want to move in here?
Oops
Who needs human company...
What a drag
Wow, amazing
Thanks to you
Shhh, that's a secret
But why have a party for me tonight?
Because it's your birthday
That's not what I mean
Why is your family celebrating my birthday?
We share anything with strangers but not with each other
Hello, everything's ready
Coming
Mama, you're over-frying these Maybe not...
My mother, Sacchan It's her birthday, today, too
I'm Kinosaki Satoko
This is Mina, Ko's tutor
Thank you for looking after Ko
Not at all I'm always being fed here
Where's Dad?
He's late
You should always tell him an earlier time. He's such a pussyfoot
Oh, all right Let's start without him
I'm home!
Papa, you're late
I missed my bus
Thank you for working late
Mother, it's been a long time
Takashi, you're always the picture of fortitude and manliness
Sit down, Papa
Is wine OK, teacher? Please
No wine for you, mother
I can have a toast
This could be my last birthday Right, Takashi?
Drink up
You're so sweet, teacher
Well, then
In honor of Mina's 22nd birthday
and Sacchan's something-or-other birthday,
here goes, Happy birthday to you...
Mina, Sacchan, congratulations!
Cheers
Let's eat, let's eat
Please, eat up
Dad, you seem a little down
Is it because Sacchan's here?
I know, it's a school play
This is a school play
This is exactly like a kindergarten play
They all know the truth, but they're acting like a happy family
A school play
I get it This is a school play
Teacher, are you OK?
"Teacher, are you OK?"
You're good at mimicking Ko
Right?
What's wrong with a school play? It's fun, isn't it?
Why not be happy to be alive? It's your birthday
Mother, I didn't know you smoked
I haven't been able to quit since 18
Can't quit
May I smoke one?
Sure, feel free
Thank you very much
Here, teacher
You said you didn't like women who smoke
I had quit...
Hotel Wild Monkeys... Do you frequent love hotels?
Well, most days when I come here
Are you drunk, teacher?
You could get alcohol poisoning
So, the question is...
Who is with me then?
I'll go buy some beer
We've got another case
Some harder stuff, then...
After you hear the answer
No. 1, Papa
No. 2, Ko
No. 3, Sacchan
Call her a taxi
And the answer...
Really, Mama, call her a taxi
You OK?
Teacher, are you OK?
Teacher, I brought you some water Can I come in?
Are you OK?
I'm coming in
Are you OK? You'll feel better if you throw it all up
Drink all that water up You OK?
It's acute alcohol poisoning
Turn on the TV?
I've lost my appetite
''...thing is, I don't want him to wimp out
''I totally want him not to wimp..."
What a totally stupid show, sorry
Would you read these outside?
Don't leave them in the toilet
What am I supposed to do? We haven't done it in 5 years
Bet you've got cobwebs down there
Hey, she looks exactly like Mana
What?
Exactly like her
Idiot! She doesn't look anything like me
I can't believe you buy these, Papa You're the worst, disgusting
What am I supposed to do? We haven't...
Because you're cheating?
No I'm not
Oh, what's the big deal
Young people have their own rules about dating
Say, when I was talking with Ko on the phone...
Mother, I've told you not to call when I'm not here
I called her to ask her how this place used to be
The reason you thought we could all be happy living here,
was because it was brimming with direct sunlight and greenery...
That's what she taught you?
What is she teaching you? That giant-breasted teacher
Straightening your hair, getting sexy...
How about "Thanks for dinner?" Isn't that what you say?
Eriko
Ko's just impossible these days
I don't have a clue anymore
Just like an ex-class president Super mean
Ex-class president?
At this rate, Ko might become a "shut-in"
Eriko you used to be a "shut-in," too
No way
Of course not
Back then, we didn't have that nifty phrase "shut-in" yet,
so you couldn't tell whether she was lazy or sick
I was not a shut-in
They'd tease you, "Ninny, Ninny," and you'd come home crying
Listen, Mother
What is it?
Why don't you just die
Maybe I'll have another glass of beer
Hello?
Is that Ninny
No, it's not
- I'll answer it - Why?
Not sure why
Hello, Eriko san?
What do you want?
Listen, I forgot my earrings in my locker at the soba shop
Can I borrow the key?
I'll give it right back, can I come over?
Listen, you
What?
Die
Who was that?
Miss Fizz-for-brains
So many girls like that these days
I say it's time for the cake
Yeah, let's have cake
They shot this in Wild Monkeys
You know Wild Monkeys, Sacchan?
She's still very much in her prime
This does look exactly like you, Mana Look
That's why you were curious about love hotels
You do take after your father, Mana
I found a Viagra brochure in your bag
What do you do when cut school?
I eat sweets Meals with liars taste lousy
Thanks for dinner, Ninny
Taka-baby, water
Teacher, let's call you a cab Are you OK?
Taka-baby
Who's Taka-baby?
I bit your nipple...
Yes, hello?
Who the hell are you?
I'm Kinosaki Satoko Who might you be?
I'm Mr. Wimp's S-Friend
Oh, it's so nice to meet you
Mr. Wimp, your S-Friend's on the phone
Thanks
Hello, S-Friend Alva Trois
Tell me, is S-Friend French?
It means Sex Friend
Oh, I see
Brings back memories
Remember how we'd go out to celebrate birthdays?
We'd ride the bus to Sushi Tsune or Gourmet Grill?
I have no memories
of going out to eat with you
Sure we did
Don't tell me, you're going senile
Maybe you should go back into therapy
Listen, Mother
Why don't you just die
There's too many candles
Too senile to remember your age?
Reminds me of funeral incense
Make your incense offering
Don't mind if I do
What...
Birthdays are for the survivors
So many people have already died on me
Those I loved, those I hated
But as time passes, you forget them
That's the saddest thing of all
When you're dying,
it's as though ordinary memories, gathering dust in an empty well,
quietly start to play, like in a silent movie
That's what I've been thinking
Do you remember, when you were 3 or 4,
we took a ride on the ferris wheel?
You cried for ice cream,
but I only had enough money to buy one
But you wouldn't even give me a bite
I kept asking you to give Mommy a bite,
but you just shut up and pouted
I got pissed off and slapped you
That scene's been appearing in my dreams, lately
But each time I see it, the dream's a little different
It keeps getting better
I'm revising my memories in my dreams, improving on them
When I think I'll die in this dream,
I feel so relieved, not sure why...
Having kids is so great
When you have kids, time flows so slowly
And your life follows an orderly cycle
You get your hands on whatever you need
And then you can start over
Start over and do it again
It's your fault I couldn't go to school
Start over, do it again
A mother is supposed to
love her child, affirm her child,
bring her up well, protect her from hatred and evil
point out what's right and beautiful in the world,
and protect her against despair and fear
That's what she's supposed to do
Start over
That's what a mother does
Creating that kind of a home is what a mother does
I don't want to keep on smiling
My smile is a prayer,
to protect this family,
so we can all live happily, every day
Start over... Do it over
You never should've become a mother
You're a failure as a mother
In my next life, when I'm reborn,
I'll be your mother and bring you up properly
So why don't you just die
Start over, do it over
Start over
Do it over
Eriko, Mom's looking much better
The reason Mom refused surgery,
was because she thought,
under anesthesia, she'd just blab everything
What?
She'd seen a spy movie, where the guy was afraid he'd spill,
so he choose surgery without anesthesia
When the doctor assured her it wouldn't make her talk, she went right under
So, she's got secrets
You know what they are, brother?
Live life as long as she has and I'm sure she's got a secret or two
But you'd know better than me Unlike me, you two get along
What do you mean?
You've always gotten along
To this day, you're all she talks about
How you brought her flowers or plants from so-and-so...
My wife's had it up to here with it
You tell me her secret and I'll pay for the surgery
Mana?
Mom, I'm sorry, I have to stay for practice today
It's hard work making new friends with girls in high school
I might be a little late
OK, then, stick with it Just don't be too late
Bye, then
Yes, I'm in the tunnel
Well, the situation is, when the dog leapt out,
I swerved to avoid him and that's when I ran into it
No, nobody's injured
Teacher Mina, when they built that housing project, did they think,
if all the windows were the same size and faced South at the same angle,
that they'd all get the same sunlight and everyone would be equally happy?
What are you talking about?
That's for drying laundry
See ya
No matter how late, he's always home by 10
He'll be fine
Ko's pretty together Let him go out, once in a while
He's 14 years old
Listen, Papa
If you know where Ko is, tell me
Ko's with Mina, right?
You know Mina's cell phone number
Don't play dumb, I know what's what
I'm sorry, actually, I've broken our family rule about no secrets...
I don't want to hear your ridiculous confession
Blabbing a secret isn't following the rules
I want you to not have any secrets, to protect our family!
I'll call you back
Are you listening to me?
...they were trying to steal the cash,
when an officer responded
to the alarm, arresting them for attempted robbery and murder
In custody are Saito Sachiko, age 20, unemployed,
and Yokoyama Katsuo, 25, also unemployed
Suspect Saito had once worked at the restaurant...
You're late Find a new boyfriend?
I was at practice
Oh, I see
What's in that bag?
Nothing
Papa, are you loving Mama like you should?
I think Mom's on the edge, like she might lose it. Something's off
She's always talking to herself, always mumbling
Like "idiot," "die," or "I'll kill you"
Something's wrong
Oh, yeah?
There's no telling what people will do if they're deprived of love
Why don't you love her, instead of hiding porn
Listen, you were both totally unexpected,
but for me to quit college, give up my dream of cycling around Hokkaido,
get my act together to get married,
get an apartment in the housing project, hunt down a job,
always chase after the next job that's even a little bit better,
swallow my pride and borrow money from my folks,
and when I do stay out, always be home by morning,
with hardly a kiss from your mother these past 5 years...
But how on earth do you think I can stand,
looking out for our family in our pathetic housing project,
if not for love!
Right?
You're late
What'd you buy?
Ko?
No, the one that nearly died
What?
Say, I had this dream
Remember back when,
you cried like a baby, saying that no one in your family
ever celebrated your birthday?
That we only ever celebrated your brother's?
I had a dream exactly about that
Frankly, I never played favorites between you
Sorry, but I don't have time to listen to your stories
Oh, sorry
But the thing is, today's the 18th, right?
I wanted to reach you before midnight, so I popped my dentures in and called
Happy birthday
Did you hear me?
Happy birthday
Now I'll be able to sleep peacefully
OK, excuse me
Wait a minute! Wait a minute!
What's wrong?
Where'd you cook me up?
Cook you up...
Where was I given life,
my destiny-origination
Don't ask such a thing
The really important things, you take to your grave
Got that?
Sure
That's what I mean by obsessed
When you get obsessed, you shut out reality
A bite of ice cream?
Sure
Isn't it yummy, Eriko?
Hey, Mama
Hurry, Mama
Maybe she's asleep
For real? This early?
Think Mama remembers?
Bet she's still forgotten
She always remembers our birthdays
Know what this is called?
What's it called?
A surprise birthday party
Sounds suspicious
Wish she'd wake up
She'll let us in when she wakes up
Let's wait, then
Welcome home
A worn-out road
leading up a hill to anywhere
A dragonfly's missing a wing
The sun climbs overhead
refusing to move
I lose my own shadow
Kyoko Koizumi
Itsuji Itao
Anne Suzuki
Masahiro Hirota
Jun Kunimura / Eita
Sonim / Hiromi Nagasaku
Michiyo Okusu
A road leading up a hill
that goes on forever
An ant carries a dragonfly wing
Without a shadow
there's no forward or back
I walk down the hill
I wanted to see beyond
the road on the hill
but I sit down
in the middle of the road
The midday sun
shimmers so bright
I wait for my shadow
on the road on the hill
Based on the novel by Mitsuyo Kakuta
Music Director: ZAK Music: Kazuhide Yamaji (dip)
Ending Theme by UA
Director of Photography: Junichi Fujisawa
Written and Directed by Toshiaki Toyoda
English subtitles: Linda Hoaglund
© Little More/Pony Canyon/Eisei Gekijo/ Culture Publishers/Asmik Ace Entertainment