SHOCHIKU PRESENTS
ESCAPE FROM JAPAN
Production: Seiya ARAKI Music: Tôru TAKEMITSU & Masao YAGI
Cinematography: Tôichirô NARUSHIMA
Set Design: Masataka YOSHINO Lighting: Akio TAMURA
Sound: Yoshiomi HORI Editing: Yoshi SUGIHARA
Paintings by Tarô OKAMOTO
With:
Yasushi SUZUKI Kyôsuke MACHIDA
Ryôhei UCHIDA
Miyuki KUWANO
Written and directed by: Kijû YOSHIDA
Hey! Hurry up! We take the express in 10 hours.
- Oh no, not the train... - You could pay for our plane tickets.
We're already dead tired.
Get a move on and stop complaining. Hurry up!
Boss, let me come too.
No kid, not you.
Don't say that. Please...
Don't test my patience. You guard the shop.
I have no luck.
Shit!
And all this junk they leave for me.
They could take it with them too.
Boss!
Ah, you're the best!
Are you always the workhorse?
I amount to nothing.
You've made a little progress with your singing?
Coming from you, I don't know what to say.
Takashi. Are things going better now?
So, you came back to work?
I have nothing to do here.
Sure, as gifted as you are. You don't care!
Tatsuo. Lend me your room for a night?
Another story with a girl?
I was locked up for three months in the hospital. Finally some quiet.
Women just love you.
You have a lot, eh?
Not many more than you.
Hey, she's beautiful...
Idiot!
You can take off your glasses.
Nobody will see you.
I waited a long time.
I wanted to see you again.
- What are you doing in there? - I just lent my room.
- Well then! To who? - Takashi. He brought a girl.
Another suspicious case. I'd tell the boss.
Takashi does what he wants.
Come now. A big boy like you with that stupid look.
You're not obliged to wait in the car. Go!
Speak for yourself! Who's left aside this night?
You've got room to talk. Petty thug.
Can't you hurry? There's a world waiting outside.
Stop! The boss won't like it.
- The boss? You speak of a boss! - Well, for me, he is one.
- You're a wet rag. Hey! - He's crazy! Quiet down!
Ah, Takashi. It's not my fault.
She's completely drunk.
Say, it's been ages. You could come to me too. No?
Tatsuo! Get rid of this nuisance for me.
I'll take care of it. That's enough, you!
He'll get really angry.
You make me laugh!
Wow, you've changed the decor.
The Olympic Games are soon.
I wanted it to please the tourists.
I should be an ambassador of charm.
You're smart.
- Want to give it a try? - What?
This bed!
It's brand new, I had it delivered this morning.
- You up for it? - Who? Me?
Don't think too much. I'm not asking for any money.
They're being extremely quiet over there.
- Who cares. - Not me.
You say that, but you often spend time here with me.
- Every night... - Well, I apologize.
Enjoy it.
I envy women. I couldn't find a sponsor abroad.
I'd go to America.
If I brought back the real Jazz, I'd make a big splash.
We don't know what to do in Japan.
With all the tourists coming to the Games, there'll be a good sponsor somewhere.
Ah, America.
Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr.
Just to hear it, I get chills everywhere.
- So how was it? - Stupid question, eh?
Well what? It's obvious this girl isn't a professional.
Stupid! You don't know what's behind her good girl looks.
I was wrong?
She works at a Turkish bath in Shinjuku.
Turkish ... Wait, baths?
Miss Turkish Super-Pro!
I wouldn't have believed it.
Takashi isn't a bad guy. But he's got strange tastes.
Yet, you're not the worst.
If you hang out with him, it'll end badly.
So dump him.
You hear me? I'm not ok with you staying put here.
That's my bed.
Ah, you know how to dress.
No wonder we've been found out.
Next time, I'll come see you at the Turkish bath.
You can give me a special price.
What's the matter with you?
You're too stupid. You let her go.
- You don't really think that. - You have no chance.
Takashi! Tell him to stop.
Takashi!
Takashi...
So it made you think?
Takashi. Please! Don't force me...
Seriously.
Will you? Or won't you?
I leave you a choice.
Stupid! You couldn't find a flashier car?
- This is the only one that was free. - Come on, move it.
They'll close soon. Moron!
Goodnight! Goodnight!
Goodbye.
Do you have a preference?
I'd like Miss Yasue. Is she available?
Room 21, please.
We close at 3am.
- And the boss? - In the room opposite.
- You want a bath? - I haven't come to do that.
It'll attract suspicion.
I don't like baths.
The manager will pass by. He'll find that weird.
I have no luck.
Hurry up.
What the hell is Takashi up to?
Get in the bath.
I warned you that you'd gain nothing hanging out with him.
- I know. - Then why do you do it?
- That's my business! - No, because...
now it's me who's annoyed.
In that case, you could leave.
Unfortunately, I can't.
Why not?
Thanks to him, I got my job with the band.
He promised me that I'd be a singer.
Singer? You?
- I don't have the look? - No.
But I'm truly talented!
Nobody knows because no one has ever given me a chance.
If I could go to America, I'd be a sensation.
Even the boss said so.
And for that, you need money...
Not so fast!
Tonight is to save face for him.
Good. You want a massage?
Me? No, No!
We're not here for a good time.
That's too kind, such a big tip.
Come again, whenever you like.
- Idiot, what the hell are you doing? - Excuse me.
- You got the car? - A flashy car, nothing else was available.
Where's your room?
- Third floor, with the other employees. - And to get out?
The emergency exit on the first floor. It opens from the inside.
Tatsuo!
You know what you have to do?
- You're late. - There was somebody downstairs.
No need to rush. We'll wait quietly.
Damn! Is that a police stakeout?
This isn't really the best place.
I'll go.
- Still working hard? - You already make the most money here.
Yeah, she's going back to wear herself out.
They don't ask YOU to do that!
Lay off...
Hey, lay off!
Takashi!
Come here.
- You mustn't... - Shut up. Hold that for me.
Stupid! We told you to wait in the car.
Someone saw me...
- Who? - Yasue. I'm sure it was her.
Damn it! I told you she couldn't be trusted.
And this idiot, what's he doing?
Takashi!
Move it!
Go!
- Takashi! - Don't stop. Floor it!
Don't stop. Let him fall!
Idiot! What are you waiting for? Go!
Hurry up, stupid!
Until last year, I ran track at the stadium.
Nobody comes here when there aren't any races.
There's more than I thought. You add it up?
What is it? Don't you want more?
Both of you are in such a bad mood.
The cop might be dead...
He can't be dead!
How could he still be alive? with a bullet fired at close range.
Yeah, I'm the one who fired it.
But you, you're accomplices. Burglary and murder.
Get that in your head.
Am I clear?
- What do we do with Yasue? - No time to wait.
If she doesn't find us here,
she might talk.
You're a clever one.
What if the death changed your chick's mind?
She might go and bring back the cops.
You're going to wait until then, with a silly smile?
Always drugs.
Shut up! You've put us in this shit!
Say that to me again, bastard!
I'll shut this little snot up!
She's completely hooked, if you want my opinion.
So you say. She just came for the money.
And what are we going to do?
Whatever you want. Decide.
No regrets?
None. You're a tough guy, as long as you don't need a fix.
Nobody followed you?
The cop died. Killed on the spot.
- Takashi! - Stop the sniveling!
You've never done something stupid, eh?
Me? Why ask me that?
How is it over there?
Detectives came. They interviewed everyone.
You held your tongue, eh?
- What happened? - My room...
It wasn't locked. The manager saw them.
I must go back.
Otherwise, they'll suspect me even more!
Wait a minute!
We've been rather nice to you.
You killed the policeman!
And then?
You're not obliged to go back there.
Why?
It seems that you really wanted this dough.
But now that a cop's been shot, everything has changed.
What do you want from me? Tell me!
I don't trust you much, myself.
You said nothing! You've known since the start.
You knew!
You knew not to come here.
You're going to follow me nicely. I've prepared us a pretty nest.
Takashi!
Tatsuo, what are you doing? Come help me!
Takashi! I'm not okay with this. This isn't what you said!
What? I still have three bullets.
I'm going to shut you up first. Move it!
Takashi!
Do as you're told!
- Takashi! - Shut up!
- Wait. - Why?
You want to take charge?
Tatsuo, run down to the drugstore and buy some sleeping pills.
- Sleeping pills? - Yes. She's going to swallow them.
You'd rather act like a thug?
Take that.
Takashi. I'm not ok with this!
So, look what you have pointed at your stomach. I'll fire!
I'm going.
It's not a bad idea.
She'll like it better this way, huh?
Eternal sleep. A suicide.
Idiot! What took so long?
I hit a motorcyclist!
- It's his fault. He came out of nowhere. - You knocked him over?
Blithering idiot! You have the sleeping pills?
You're really going to do this?
Takashi...
You're an addict.
Shut up. Hurry, make her swallow the pills.
Not that, please!
- You heard me! - But...
Do as I said!
Hurry because I need a fix.
I can't hold on without it.
Get out of here!
Takashi... She shouldn't be with him.
I've had it up to here with your stories!
I beg you, do something!
He's raping her!
- Go fend for yourself. - But how can you...
His gun is over there.
Let her go! Please, let her go.
You can't even help yourself.
Give it to me.
Shoot! Kill him!
I beg you, stop!
I can't take anymore...
What did I do? It's the cop's fault.
If he hadn't thrown himself on the hood, this wouldn't have happened.
He looked at me! He died like that, looking at me!
Let me go. I don't want to. I'm scared!
Bastard.
You have one bullet left.
There were no more than two.
Give it back to me.
You give it back to me.
Don't give it to him! Shoot! Shoot him.
Shut your mouth! Come on...
You're not getting out of here alive.
Shoot!
Takashi!
Wasn't me!
- Takashi! - I've done nothing.
I haven't killed anyone.
Takashi...
Wait for me.
Say it. It wasn't me.
I didn't want to kill. It was his fault.
You want to run? Don't do that.
I beg you, please don't leave me here alone.
I'm scared...
Who's there?
Stop ringing.
You'll wake up the neighbors. You know what time it is...
Who are you?
And you?
I'm Asakawa's wife.
Does that bother you?
Hey there! What are you doing?
Takashi, it's me. Wake up.
Here he is... sick from withdrawl.
Takashi...
Who's this woman, huh?
Huh?
Get out of here.
If you don't leave, I'll call the police.
The police?
If you hung around my husband, you can't be worth much.
Don't do that!
Stop crying, I beg you.
Takashi...
What will happen to me? Help me.
That's mine. I won't let you. I won't let you!
Takashi!
I beg you, Miss...
Akiko is pregnant.
We're leaving. What can you expect from his kind?
Tatsuo!
What have you done?
When we're going to have a child...
Idiot! Idiot!
It's not me. I've killed nobody...
Now there's a face I'm not familiar with...
These folks don't get out much.
Since they're the army, it's our duty to treat them.
They don't have money to spend on pleasure.
If you want, I could take care of you.
- Who do you think you are? - Drop it.
It's written all over your face.
"I need a man."
Listen. The local gang here doesn't joke around.
If you trick them, sparks will fly. What do you say?
Say, can you really help me?
Trust me.
Back when there were Yanks all over Yokohama,
I had a reputation as a pimp on my rickshaw.
By the way, what kind of guy do you need?
- You have a preference? - American Marines...
Oh, something exotic.
- Someone who's going back tomorrow. - I see.
Those who are willing to spend the most.
You can count on me.
Don't play too much with that!
You need to leave here in a minute.
- Why? - A client, an American Marine.
I don't want to go on this way!
What's the matter with you? You want to go to America, don't you?
If I stay in Japan, you'll be bothered...
I pay with my body, so you can get away.
Otherwise, I won't have peace of mind.
Firstly, I don't want to see you sentenced to death.
You understand? Then, get out of here.
What, you're taking it all?
You think I'm going to run away with it.
Do what you want. I don't care.
You mean that you'll go to the police? I won't let you!
You want to kill me?
If you can do it, go on!
You got one bullet left.
I didn't mean to shoot.
You're really too stupid.
If I got busted,
I would also go to jail.
Is this the chick?
I only wanted to help her. I didn't try to do...
Where do you come from? You a freelance prostitute?
I'm not a prostitute!
Keep it for others!
You're quite cute...
We're gonna get to know each other better. Right, sis?
If you want to work around,
don't make me lose face. I'll be sweet.
Heard you only like foreigners.
You worked at a military base before?
Shut up! Take him somewhere else.
Yes, sir!
It's a pity to make you work.
- To go all out... For what? - Still trying to pimp.
Officer, don't give me a bad reputation.
We're in love.
In the middle of a love story. Right?
This Hanada, do you know him well?
Yes, I know him.
You see?
Anyway, be careful.
This guy won't stop until you're ruined.
You, you've done something...
I didn't do anything.
You stayed surprisingly calm.
If I had to worry every time,
I couldn't do this job.
Take me!
I'm not here for nothing!
I'm sorry.
If I'd known you were from the same gang, I wouldn't have called the police.
You'll ask them to pardon me, right?
I wouldn't want to have to pay for that.
You'll do it, right?
You!
Where he is? Where?
He's going to hear us. He's a yakuza.
What do you want?
I couldn't have known she was already being pimped.
Well done, sis.
The cops must be looking for you.
The Turkish bath attack
in the newspaper, it was you.
Swallow this.
What's that?
Sleeping pills.
If you don't obey me...
You want to put me to sleep and get away?
Bravo!
I wouldn't say no.
I'm tired. I need to rest.
Right, sis?
Give me some water!
To make it go down easy.
Again! Drink!
Bastard. If I take more, I'm gonna die.
Great. You trash!
That's not good...
Come.
Hurry!
With that, we'll be in America right away.
I know that. But how do I get into it?
Let me do it.
Oh no!
Leave me alone. I want to sleep...
Why... It's Yasue!
You know, I've seen your photo on TV. Come in!
You're smart. Stole money from a Turkish Bath.
I also wanted to try.
Generally, in these places,
they deduct money from the tips. Right? Serves them right!
You're still with Joe?
Of course, yes.
Could we ask Joe to find a way
to take someone in a plane?
You want to leave illegally?
Not me.
Understood. It's the man on the run with you.
Why'd you make this mistake? To be with a murderer.
Please!
Talk to Joe. Help him run away.
- Do you have money? - We'll pay what is needed.
Do they only want our money?
Mitsuko and Joe are open-handed.
Still...
They want also some money.
Maybe, but
I don't have any other friends
except Mitsuko.
And you.
Yes, you.
A friend giving me a bad time.
What's so funny?
You're such an unlucky gangster!
I only got you into trouble.
Don't say that!
At least, you're going to America.
When you get there, forget everything that happened.
- You aren't coming? - Me?
- I don't want to! - But why?
If you're caught, you'll go to jail even if you don't want to!
Wherever I go, it'll still be the same.
I only know how to sell myself to men.
So...
- I won't leave. - What are you saying!
You've killed people.
I know you did it for me.
But who will believe that?
Nobody will listen to you.
And, if you don't leave...
Why am I doing all this? I don't understand.
You're the one who said
you wanted to go to America.
I'm not lucky.
You're not the only one.
Well...
You don't have much time to spend in Japan.
Japan?
Damn...
It's me.
You're soaked.
You had nightmares.
I'm scared.
I'm scared!
You still have some time in Japan.
I don't want to leave. I want to stay in Japan.
I feel lonely... so lonely.
Listen. You and I are alone.
We ran away here together, remember?
Do you love me?
Such an unlucky man at this point...
Why so?
If you don't love me.
I don't know. What do you want me to say?
Just that,
the look you had when you shot that man...
Stop! You're making me think about it.
Sorry. I didn't mean to.
You and me, we're the same.
Often betrayed...
At home,
near Atsugi, not far from here,
my dad is a barber.
It's not enough to make a living,
so they have a field in the mountains.
A dry piece of land.
When it rains, it's slippery as hell.
Me,
I didn't want to farm.
I wanted...
to save some money to open a hairdressing salon.
But he...
He said he was a famous drummer.
So, I wanted...
In the Turkish bath,
every man seems weak.
But you see, I can't say that.
I've often been betrayed too.
When I was still at Atsugi,
I was a caddie at a golf course.
I've been tricked by a lazy student.
We don't keep money for long.
This is for you.
I still have 500,000...
In jail, it won't be useful.
You...
Yasue!
Oh sorry, I'll make it quick. It's from Joe.
After tomorrow, the Olympics Games in Tokyo open.
Then there will be a lot of G.I.s
- Coming from Korea to assist. - And what's the...
It's only for a moment, there'll only be planes for Korea!
Korea... But they don't go to America?
Well no, Joe said there won't be any departures for a long time.
Why can't he go to Korea?
No!
I don't want to go to Korea!
You say that, but Korea or anywhere else,
- it's always better than Japan. - Yes!
Joe said you'll find a flight to America there.
Here's a G.I. uniform. Put it on.
You'll be happier when I'm not around, right?
I know it.
That's the way you see me?
You idiot.
Hey, time to decide. Joe's waiting. Hurry!
Let's go.
Hurry.
What're you doing? Hurry!
Quick, hurry!
Who's there?
Can't you see, you're blinding me!
- You're also leaving illegally? - Who are you?
I'm going back home.
But you're not Korean.
You're Japanese, right?
Why are you leaving?
- Do you know somebody there? - Nobody!
I just don't want to be in Japan.
You don't want to come with me?
I plan to cross the 38th parallel and enter the People's Republic.
There's a lot of work for youngsters.
- What do you like to do? - I'd like to be a jazz singer.
Jazz singer? We don't want that in the People's Republic!
Why are you leaving, if that's what you want to do?
You got troubles? That's why you're running away?
- I didn't do anything. - Don't try to lie.
My country doesn't need people like you.
You should get out now.
Get out!
I knew it. You're a killer.
I won't let you!
I won't let you come to my country!
Enough. Shut up.
You won't bother me anymore.
You're still undecided. If you want to go the police, you always can.
For now, you have some money. You have to enjoy it a little bit.
Afterwards, you'll have sad, lonely nights on your straw mattress.
I don't have any more strength.
Tell me, what do you think of this dress?
I can lend it to you. Two of Joe's friends came back here from Korea,
on vacation for the Olympic Games.
Both good boys.
I'll introduce them to you.
Those two...
they're cute like babies.
Listen. You'll go to the police station if you want.
But before then, let's have some fun for once.
- Leave me. - What's wrong?
You didn't hear? You hear it?
I hear nothing.
Don't do that! If you go out, they'll find us.
Leave me alone! She's here...
She came to say goodbye.
Stupid! They'll see you. Come back.
What, miss?
- Ah! - You!
They caught you? And Joe?
I don't know!
I know nothing...
This time, if they catch him, they'll throw him in jail.
He already sold stuff on the black market.
They'll send Joe back to America...
You'll pay for this!
He's a killer.
What's wrong?
I... I don't have it!
What?
I dropped the money.
Where?
I'm sure I had it, when I left the car
while coming here.
I'll go back home.
I've sent them enough money until now.
They'll lend me that amount.
That's true. Without money...
we're stuck.
- Stay here! - Why?
Tell me!
You think I wanted to drop the money?
Either way,
I don't care.
I've had no luck to the very end.
You want to die?
I want to go there... America.
My America.
Just once.
To go up on a stage, move in front of an audience.
And sing, "Even If I die,"
"I won't leave you!"
But it's too late.
That's me, always too late.
My mother,
she had a bistro, she came home late.
So I didn't sleep enough.
I was often late to school.
Everyone else could have fun.
But I had an empty bucket in my hand,
standing around in the hallway.
They cornered me into singing by saying,
"You don't have an ear for rhythm."
Why am I so awkward?
I've been unlucky from the beginning.
Darling.
- Yasue! - Stop it! Stupid.
Hey! Come back.
You're going to miss the Olympic torch run!
Come on, quick!
What're you doing?
Let me out!
He's going to die.
If I'm not there, he'll try to kill himself.
Hey, where's Tatsuo Ihara?
You're still being stubborn!
Dear friends... In a few moments,
the carrier of the Olympic flame will appear.
Please cheer him loudly.
Here he is.
Please applaud...
A little behind schedule,
the Olympic flame carrier should soon appear.
A lot of school children, and people coming from all around Japan.
From East to West, and North to South,
for the Games, beginning tomorrow, the flame is now coming to Tokyo...
Keep going!
It's alright. Keep going.
October 1964. In less than 24 hours,
the anticipated Tokyo Olympics Games will begin.
The youth of the world, beyond frontiers, races, and languages,
will face each other in peaceful celebration, which this symbol,
this flame...
The honour of carrying it goes to the gymnastics champion,
a native of this state, Shinji Kawabe, 31 years old.
Silver medalist in the Games of Rome, 4 years ago.
No doubt that now, with the same emotion,
he's running with the flame.
Tokyo! Tokyo! The day we've anticipated for 4 years
is coming with this lighted torch.
And in this fire are our wishes of peace.
Enough.
Stop everything.
Are you listening?
Idiot.
And you, drive faster.
Now's not the time to slow down, stupid.
Run after me, stupid!
All that, for what?
Because you believe you'll stop me?
Nobody will.
Do you hear me?
You don't know me, and you think I'll be caught!
Faster! Faster, come on!
In America, you get a ticket if you drive less than 80.
Remember that.
Go!
You think you can leave that easily?
How many times do I have to tell you? Nobody will catch me.
You understand. With that.
I'm frightening you, right?
Tatsuo Ihara, did you know the police have released your description?
I don't have anything to do with that. I didn't kill...
Still, you're wanted for murder.
Shut up! I'm telling you it wasn't me!
There was an armed robbery. What was that for?
Well, nothing. I wanted to go to America.
And why?
I don't have any reason.
It's just that Japan doesn't interest me much.
- Tatsuo Ihara! We've found him. - Where? - Listen.
"Goodbye Japan!"
"Goodbye, my country, Japan!"
It sounds good, right?
You have to learn too.
I learned it from a Korean.
He was caught by the military police, poor guy.
My country...
He said.
I like these words.
It sounds good, right?
Don't you think?
"Goodbye, my country, Japan!"
Now we understand you better.
But we don't have the right to kill people...
This speaker is boring. That's not an interview.
- Don't you understand your actions? - I don't care.
There was a woman with you. You ran away together.
She was a real bitch.
She called the cops.
All that mattered was her!
Were you recording everything?
Stop! You're going to stop, asshole!
Up!
Come on! We're loading.
Up!
Stop him! Stop! There's man in there.
Stop the crane.
THE END