SECRETS BEHIND THE WALL
Directed by Koji Wakamatsu
That's no better than a placebo.
Even so, it's worth it.
Are you still hung up on my keloid?
Just let the past go.
You are the symbol of Hiroshima, of Japan.
The symbol of all war.
How happy I am to be your comrade in the struggle.
I'll never forget war as long as I love you.
How I hate war.
I fight for peace.
Keloid has become a part of me.
Radiation crawls throughout my body. It will, forever.
I'll love you forever.
Let's fight together forever, for peace.
Hold me harder.
I never know when I'm going to die.
No, please don't die.
Don't ever die.
I'll fight until the day I die.
I love you.
I love you too.
Oh, how I love you.
Do you love me?
Of course. I love you.
Really?
Sure.
Why didn't we get married?
Because you got married first.
That's because you disappeared for three years!
My keloid didn't disappear, not in three years.
So you think I double crossed you?
No, not at all.
I just think my youth is over.
I guess you're right.
So much for peace.
Huh? Oh yeah.
With these four walls surrounding you every day,
I bet it starts feeling like a prison.
A peaceful prison.
Hey,
do you know about this?
If you leave a monkey in a room full of mirrors,
it goes crazy after a few days.
Is that true? That's horrible!
I guess after a while the monkey can't tell which one is real.
Stop, that's so frightening.
What's the matter? It's nothing.
No! I don't want to hear about it!
Wait, just a bit.
You should rest a bit more.
I'm going to die sooner or later anyway.
Like being hit by a car, just suddenly.
I don't know what I'd do if you die.
Just find yourself a new lover.
You're so mean.
You don't love me, do you?
No, I do love you.
Love only exists in the moment.
I can't think.
Cut the music.
Romping around won't make you thin.
Although, if you're trying to pick up guys, it might work.
That's rude!
Go to cram school if you can't study at home.
I'm your victim, you know.
Who ever asked you to be?
I'm also a victim of the folks.
I know the reason you don't want to go to cram school.
There is no reason.
Whatever. Just get out of here.
Too bad you can't even work out decently in this small box.
If you're not gonna exercise, stop the music.
Hey, don't you feel like doing something exciting?
No.
That sort of stuff is for frustrated single women.
Oh yeah? Anyone would get frustrated living in this box.
You're right.
That's the best you can do between the switchboard and this housing complex.
What a lovely day.
It's a shame to be cooped up all day on such a nice day.
But you'd rather, wouldn't you?
Oh, please.
It's okay to be honest.
He's just a cosmetic salesman. Nothing special.
Oh, but he's quite charming.
Blabbermouths.
Hey!
It's either the TV or the newspaper. Doesn't he ever get bored?
Makato! You mustn't be rude to your father.
What's up with Asako? She's pretty late.
She's on late shift today.
She's probably plugging in and out right now.
Makoto!
AMMUNITION TRANSPORTATION TO VIETNAM DENIED.
Japanese women are so lucky.
All day long, just building up their sex drive.
Just imagine what those poor women in Vietnam have to go through each day.
You've changed.
You think? I'm quite the same.
Only a bit more mature than when I was young.
I wonder...
How frustrating.
Put that down.
Hey, what's up with you?
Getting frustrated?
Have you ever doubted me?
Huh?
That's ridiculous. Never crossed my mind.
The milkman is my type of guy.
Then why don't you seduce him?
Are you serious?
You can never pull it off.
Oh, this is so irritating.
Have you ever imagined what my life is like?
Every day, trapped within these walls
amid uncertainty that may cave in on me at any time.
And you never give a damn about me.
What's all this drama about uncertainty caving in?
Then let it cave in for Pete's sake.
It'd be a good chance for the literary girl to wake up.
Listen, reality is harder than you think.
Much harder than an uncertainty that may cave in.
Workers are in constant fear for tomorrow's bread, the next day's illness.
Even so...
They have to struggle at work, in the streets, for peace in Vietnam.
I know already. I used to be involved in the peace movement.
Used to be. Not now, like me.
Then let me do something now as well.
Maybe I should go out to work somewhere too.
You're such a fool, so shallow.
Are you saying that whoever works is a worker?
That workers can only fight for peace?
There are things like family, like community to look out for.
Housewives have their own place in society.
This is ridiculous. Just talking to you makes me irritated.
In any case, you should let me focus on the union's work
without any concern.
Even that helps the movement, you know.
What a convenient way of thinking.
Aren't men like you criticized in the union as being feudalistic?
That was like 10 or 15 years ago.
Oh really? Then it's union heaven now?
No wonder it's such a comfortable life.
Isn't this yours?
Oh my, excuse me. I had no idea that it dropped.
It's silk, isn't it? Very nice.
Oh no, it's just cheap goods.
Excuse me.
Please come in for some tea.
Yes, another time.
Hello again.
Is there a problem?
I'm sorry, I dropped my laundry again.
I was lost in my thoughts while bringing it in.
May I come in and fetch them?
There's no need. I'll get them for you.
Is this all that you dropped?
Yes, I'm very sorry.
Oh, how embarrassing. I'm glad it was the French one.
We have a friend who lives in France.
A funny friend who sends over lingerie all the time.
Excuse me for this silly talk. Have a nice day.
I'm so tired and sleepy!
Oh my!
How energetic.
What is?
For you to be up so late, looking after your son.
Stop teasing your parents.
I'm fine, just go to sleep now.
I can't sleep with you yelling like that. It worries me.
Those are my honest feelings.
Are you studying hard?
Are you listening?
Don't worry.
In any case, I'll never turn out to be a poor civil worker like Dad.
Don't be such a smart-aleck.
CORRUPTION IN THE CITY COUNCIL ELECTION LARGE SUM OF GIFT MONEY PRESENTED
How did we become so corrupt?
Corrupt? We're not corrupt at all.
I'm not so sure.
Sure we're not. It's just natural man-woman deeds.
No, it's not. It's male-female animal instinct.
Exactly. What's wrong with that?
Animal instinct is corrupt? I don't think so.
See our flesh brushing each other?
Here we are, a male me and a female you.
Am I not right? Nothing is more real.
There's nothing more real than this.
But we're sneaking around behind my husband's back.
I bet he's sneaking around too, probably even right now.
Yes.
You may be right.
Hello?
That's strange.
What's up?
It's not your husband?
Of course not. Are you being jealous?
Never.
Nippon Flour Mills, 131 yen, down 2 yen.
Nisshin Seifun Group, 160 yen, down 2 yen.
Dai-nippon sugar, 53 yen, up 1 yen...
Hello, this is Nagai.
Yes, thank you.
Still going weak, isn't it?
That's too optimistic. It's still too early to start buying.
How could you do this without telling me?
Because you mean everything to me.
I can't have babies that inherit your radiation.
I shouldn't, right?
But that doesn't mean you had to get sterilized.
It's okay. I'm fine.
Please don't get angry.
Kids will just be in the way with our struggle.
Right?
Thank you.
I have some news for you. It's great news.
A volunteer professor announced a communiqué
in support of our peace movement.
A grand result of our Peace Assembly fighting
as the core of the All-Japan Federation of Students.
It's clear that we're going to gain more credit from the public.
That doesn't serve as a criteria. The situation analysis is too naive.
A sum can be easily foreseen now.
It's Malaysia from now on.
That's right, in short, it's all about money. That goes for both of us.
Okay then, talk to you again soon. Goodbye.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
I'm going out for cigarettes.
I probably don't love him anymore.
But why does he excite me so much?
What's so special about him?
Nothing... There's nothing special about him anymore.
But I am scared to leave him.
Why, I wonder?
Who is it?
Laundry service.
Hi, white shirt and trousers.
Thank you.
Why not come in for some tea?
No, thank you. My boss would be furious.
Thank you, ma'am.
Nobuko, you're so smart.
You don't have kids.
It's not worth it. Kids are just bad news.
I can't have any even if I wanted to. You know that.
Oh, that's right.
So you can't. I envy you.
You should be thankful to God just for that.
That way you can sneak around without getting caught. Right?
Hey, she's turned pale!
That's just ridiculous.
Oh? And you're always thinking decent thoughts?
Me, I just dream lousy fantasies every day.
Like some really nice guy coming out from nowhere,
holding me tight, making me go crazy.
Maybe I'll just seduce your husband.
Now, that would be fun for a change.
How nasty. You have your own husband, don't you?
No, he's no good. He can't get it up anymore.
Then leave him.
I just can't. The kids.
What about you two?
Us? We fit each other nicely.
Fit each other?!
You came here to talk about this?
Yeah, we fit each other!
How peace-dumb you two are.
They're talking about using nukes in Vietnam.
Some people are still suffering from keloid
and still fighting for peace on top of that.
And here, women like you, just laughing their brains out.
No wonder no movement is successful.
What's so funny, you two?
Keloid.
Keloid is funny.
So you didn't go after all.
Cram school is not for free.
I've heard it a million times.
Makoto.
We'll become the laughing stock of the whole complex
if I fail the exams again, right?
Stop being a wise guy.
Don't worry. I'm doing what I should.
What can you do without going to cram school?
Mothers are hopeless.
They feel good as long as you go to cram school.
Of course.
There's no other place as humiliating as cram school.
No more wise cracks. Just make sure you pass your exams next year.
VIETNAM CRISIS INTENSIFIES
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam.
How I wish I could go to Vietnam too.
Oh, it's you. What are you doing home?
What are you doing in bed at this hour?
I drank a little too much last night.
I'm going to Osaka on business. For three days.
Oh really? So that's why you're home so early.
Are you happy?
About what?
Being able to get away from this tiny hole.
What, are you joking? It's the same tiny hole all over Japan.
Maybe I'll get a part-time job while you're gone.
You're acting strange lately. Have I done something wrong?
What are you complaining about? You mean to say we can't survive without you working?
Or are you saying my salary is too low for decent living?
That's hardly the case. My salary is better than the average union chief.
So, what could it be? No children? You know that's not my fault.
What exactly is bugging you so much? Say it out loud!
Eh?
You have no answer. That means there isn't anything.
Are you complaining that you have nothing to complain about?
I'm just jealous of you.
Coming home from work, acting like you can do anything you want.
That's how it's supposed to be, don't complain!
If I have to come home to my wife in such a bad mood...
my health and sanity won't last.
So what are you here for?
Never mind. Do as you want, I'm going.
Goodbye.
Why did you lie to me like that?
I didn't lie.
Then why are you crying?
I'm not crying.
I'm sorry.
It seemed like you knew all about men.
It's okay.
This was going to happen someday anyway.
Is this the Uchida residence?
Yes.
I came by to drop off this handbag.
Whose is it?
I think it's Asako's.
My sister's?
She didn't mention anything about it last night.
I rode the same taxi back with her and she forgot it in the taxi.
Oh really? Are you her colleague?
No.
I just came by to drop off this bag, so please let her know when she comes back.
We don't talk anymore.
Yeah, not much.
How about with your husband?
Alright then.
Are you leaving?
Yeah.
Go on, leave if you want to.
I'm all alone tonight. He's not coming back.
Can't you?
Can't you stay tonight?
What do you think will happen if we get stuck even deeper?
Both of us will be doomed.
Please take me out of here.
Out from these four walls.
Out from this complex packed with people in every direction.
Please? Take me out from here.
Won't you?
And where exactly will you go from here?
It's just the same all over Japan. The same small room.
What? What is it now?
I feel we're over.
I...
I want a baby.
I want to have a baby.
Listen. We're both victims, okay?
Screwed by war, then deceived by the peace movement.
Victims like us have no choice but to live in solitude.
We were a mistake that was born through momentary passion.
Momentary passion?
Momentary passion... I see. So you're going to live on like nothing happened.
Forget about your keloid,
and survive by cashing in on the Vietnam war through stocks.
What else is there to do? What else is there to believe in?
We'll never succeed if we don't become the perpetrator.
And who exactly are you going to victimize?
Don't you understand?
You victimized me.
And maybe that saved you.
Oh no. I'm late.
I'll drop by again.
Goodbye.
What happened?
Suicide.
Hey.
I'm home.
What's with the strange look? Go away.
Now. Get lost.
Some guy brought you this.
Oh.
Who is he?
A person I met at the bar.
Really? You're messed up, aren't you?
What do you mean messed up?
Anybody would if you had to live like this with your whole family.
Would what?
Mother was pretty worried.
Stop it. It's going to run.
A lady from building number one committed suicide, you know.
Oh really?
It seems at first she was just faking it.
But then, while she was choking herself, she got serious.
That's ridiculous.
You think I'm lying, don't you?
Women are over the second they think about it. You better be careful too.
What a wise guy.
Stop it. Everyone can see.
Just go away and study.
It's always study, study.
Help! Someone!
Makoto! Help!
I wish time would pass away while we're together like this.
Then you'll be a grey-haired old lady.
Only if I was healthier, I could make you happier.
Your keloid is what ties us together.
Nonsense. You'll forget about it in no time.
I'll never forget.
The only way for me to forget is if you force me to.
I never know when I'm going to die.
You saw my keloid and that's what's heavier than anything.
It's heavy for me as well.
I love you. I love you so much.
I love you too.
Who are you?
Somebody that knows you well.
But I don't know you. Is there anything you want?
Not really. I'm the exam failure from the complex across.
Exam? You mean university exams?
Yes.
I got bored and went for a walk, but I had nowhere to go to.
But I don't know you at all.
You can't have a conversation with strangers?
You think I'm a rapist or a burglar, don't you?
Just tell me what you want.
If you do something strange, I'm going to scream.
I knew it.
Then I'll tell you what I want.
I once phoned you.
Phoned me?
Yeah. When you were sleeping with some guy.
Why are you so surprised?
I told you I just dropped by.
Okay. I'll make some tea. Come in.
Please.
Calling the police?
Go ahead. I don't mind.
I haven't done anything wrong. I just came by to pay a visit.
Okay, I trust you.
How did you find out about me?
I have been watching. All along.
You're lying. You can't see from over there.
With a telescope.
I can see clearly between the curtains.
So you came here to tell my husband.
No.
Just tell me.
How much do you want? I'll give you all I have here.
That's not what I'm here for. Don't make fun of me.
Then what are you here for?
I could rape you if I wanted to.
My sister got raped by some guy tonight too.
She said it was nothing.
What are you doing?!
Bitch.
Let go! Let go of me!
Stop! Let go! I said let go!
You're afraid I'm gonna rape you, aren't you?
I'm going home.
Wait.
What?
You can't go home like that.
I'm going back home to study.
For some reason, I have the sudden urge to study.
I'm sorry. I misjudged you.
Let me see your hand.
I'm stupid.
I don't want to go to college.
But my parents are forcing me to go.
That's why I have to study all day, cooped up in a little box.
Here, right here.
It's getting strange up here and it bothers me.
What do you think I should do?
I understand your feelings. It's because of these walls.
I'd like to just run out of here too.
Really? You really understand my feelings?
You're lying.
You're a liar too.
You think I'm stupid, don't you?
You think I can't do anything, don't you?
Right?
Say something.
Damn it! Don't make fun of me.
Please stop!
You're making fun of me!
Let go.
Please let go! Stop, please.
Please! I'll do anything you say. Please stop.
I'll do anything you say.
You can do as you wish.
What are you looking at?
You think I can't do anything, don't you?
Damn it! Don't look!
It's your first time, isn't it?
Shut up!
Close your eyes.
I can do it.
I know I can.
Damn it!
Don't look!
Damn it!
Makoto! Help!
Makoto!
Damn it!
Don't make fun of me.
You think I can't do anything, don't you?
Damn it! I can!
Damn it!
It's a hit! It's big! Going deep, right field. This is a sure homerun.
Going. Going. Gone! No question! Homerun by Kaneda!
HOUSEWIFE MURDERED IN HOUSING COMPLEX BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
The End