A STORY WRITTEN WITH WATER
Produced by: Hirokichi ITO, Akio KOMAZAKI
Original book: Yojiro ISHIZAKA
Author: Kazutoshi AKUTAGAWA
Screenplay: Toshiro ISHIDO,
Rumiko KORA and Kiju YOSHIDA
Cinematography: Tatsuo SUZUKI
Music: Toshi ICHIYANAGI
Sets: Haruyasu KUROSAWA, Itsuro HIRATA
Light: Yoshio UNNO
Editing: Hiroshi ASAI
With:
Mariko OKADA
Ruriko ASAOKA
Isao YAMAGATA
Yasunori IRIKAWA
Keiko YUMI
Shoichi KUWAYAMA
Mori KISHIDA
Director: Kiju YOSHIDA
"Tell me, Shizuo,
is your lover Yumiko really a virgin?"
You're going for a walk, I presume.
No, not really...
Go, enjoy it.
But be careful.
Drop me at home.
You can come with us.
I don't want to disturb you.
It appears that your boss will remarry with Shizuka.
His problem is that he must ask your permission,
as she is your mother.
But it's been a long time he loves her.
Mr. Yamazaki is a good guy.
I understand that he wants to remarry.
And your mother is so beautiful, she looks like she's only 30!
She passed the age of remarrying.
She would better think of becoming a grandmother.
In our time, 50 was regarded as a beautiful age for women.
How dare you talk so bluntly?
It might be unconsciously, but aren't you jealous of Yamazaki?
You can not endure seeing them together.
How the girls have changed!
It's these magazines that are to blame.
Yes. It's the doubteous men's magazines.
Who lives now in the house across the street?
Just a babysitter.
I made you wait.
It seems that Shizuo wants a very simple marriage.
But in my situation...
Me, I don't bother.
No, you must help me to convince her.
Yumiko is my only daughter. I want a beautiful wedding.
I'll talk to my son.
He must be convinced.
You are always the same.
You've not changed.
I don't believe you. In ten years, we change.
Wrong.
Here, sitting next to you, everything is as before.
Shizuka! You don't want to renew our relationship?
It's ten years now that I'm jealous.
- You stayed single? - You know that very well.
We must not...
Don't worry. Papa is so happy that I will get married.
He doesn't care for the rest.
Shizuo! Come, I'll wash you.
My darling!
You should not take a bath...
Support on me.
I came here during the war.
Really?
You really don't want?
You're weird. We'll soon get married.
Not before the ceremony.
You ask silly questions.
I know why.
"Your fiancée Yumiko, is she really a virgin?"
This is a joke out of jealousy.
Today, I did not think about it.
It does not concern you if I'm a virgin or not?
All men are concerned, and that's normal.
Or maybe you love me so much that it does not count?
When we marry, the past of the other is no longer important.
That's how I see it.
You speak of experience.
I don't care. Since I've chosen you.
Tell me,
it's harder for a man than for a woman.
Tell me, Shizuo.
How you did you do?
Idiot! You don't ask these questions.
Shizuo!
Your mother is very beautiful.
You'd think it was your sister.
Shizuo, you still sleep with her?
I dreamed of your mother once.
Dreamed? What you say!
You see what I mean?
You have been drinking too much.
I don't like these business dinners. They're boring!
I pity you. Come on.
Whereto?
Don't worry, nobody will know.
Shizuo...
How do you know my name?
It's sweet, right?
Come dance!
He's beautiful, your future son-in-law!
If you were not getting married soon,
I'd take you as a lover.
How do you know me?
I was in college with Yumiko.
It was his father who asked me to take care of you.
Mr. Hashimoto?
Really?
We tend to be more discrete.
Yumiko will be happy with a man like you.
I am going.
No way! Please, stay!
Mr. Hashimoto does this for his daughter Yumiko.
Shizuka Matsutani
Good evening.
What's wrong?
I was with Mr. Hashimoto.
I drank too much.
Drink this salt water. It will make you vomit.
Idiot! Why drinking so much of it?
I'm alright.
No. You forget that you're going to get married soon!
But, hey! You have lipstick on your neck!
I danced with a geisha.
You were with Mr. Hashimoto?
He stayed.
Mom...
What?
And if we cancelled the marriage?
It's your father-in-law...?
No, nothing happened.
I don't really want to marry anymore.
Stop thinking like that. Poor Yumiko!
Good night.
Enjoy your last few nights as a bachelor! Sleep well.
Shizuo!
Shizuo, get up! We have a surprise visit.
Tell me, Shizuo...
What a nice man you have become!
Misako brought a wedding present.
Thank you.
Congratulations on having found such a great party.
Your mother must be reassured.
Congratulations.
I was so happy to learn the news.
They will be a beautiful couple.
And Mr. Hashimoto is also the sponsor of your Ikebana lessons.
It's perfect.
Yumiko is a young girl, so cheerful.
I wonder if it will work. I worry a little.
It will be okay, once married.
If there are things you can't tell your mother,
don't hesitate to ask me for advice.
About the relation between man and woman, for example.
Misako, children!
They don't understand.
You have two children?
In fact, I'm three months pregnant.
Shizuo! You come back from school?
Are you impressed?
Misako, excuse me if I'm wrong.
But your boyfriend is not really
the first man in your life, isn't it?
This is unfair.
All men like to have fun,
and they want their women to be virgin!
Such a selfishness!
The important thing is that no one knows anything.
In this regard...
If I was a virgin at my wedding?
It's so long ago, I forgot.
I have the impression that I was, but maybe not.
But you know, Misako,
to know a man isn't so terrible as that,
it's just a fleeting moment.
Thank you, ma'am.
Excuse me to have addressed this topic,
but you reassured me for my wedding.
Misako, I have to go shopping. Can you stay?
- Yes. - Thank you.
Well, Shizuo returned.
See you soon.
Shizuo!
You're here, Shizuo?
Ah! There you are.
If you knew how happy I am!
I'm going to marry
the son of a sake-maker.
He's a football champion.
He's very beautiful.
What a luck!
For a girl, marriage is the most important thing.
Offer her heart and her body to one man.
Always live loving.
Then have children. I want three of them!
Shizuo, please, say nothing to your mother.
Agree? This is our secret.
Sorry!
It's because I loved you...
No, it's the handwriting of a man.
Sorry.
Who asked you?
Who used you?
I will give it back to you.
I don't know how to apologize.
If the boss found out about this, I...
I would lose my place.
Please.
I will not say anything.
On the contrary, this time,
you talk of a connection between my mother and Mr. Hashimoto.
I beg your pardon, but there was...
once a rumor...
Who spoke to you?
No one particular.
The other day, I saw them together.
And then?
They are our parents, no!
Of course. You're right.
I want a normal marriage.
I won't covet money nor the position of your boss.
Do not judge others by your ideas!
My darling! We must not die.
We have to fight.
Whatever happens, I won't give up.
Come on, let's kiss.
No, not like that.
Stop. I'm out of breath.
Thank you.
I'll go first.
Shizuo, rest a little with papa.
Shizuka, I cause you many problems.
Everything is my fault.
Take care of everything.
I'm good for nothing.
Hang on, darling!
Fight to live!
Shizuo, you may have seen things moved.
Don't judge your mother severely.
One day you will understand.
I love Mom.
Hurry! Hurry to return and protect your mother.
Go quickly!
Mom!
Shizuo!
Mom!
- And dad? - He told me to return for you.
Yumiko!
Come here.
Come to see our floor!
Arrange it to your taste.
Without question; this room will be ours.
With a western bed. You like it?
I've only slept in those in hotels.
Rendez-vous hotels?
Don't be stupid.
Don't be angry.
All singles go there, right?
How romantic!
Now, no more reason to go there.
Your mother is sick since a long time.
That's true. That's why dad had so many adventures.
And now?
I do not know. He's not so young anymore!
Shizuo.
So we had separated because Shizuo growing because...
When I think of it, it was for his own good.
But I regret that.
Do not say that.
It is the truth.
As you are beautiful!
As you know,
without me, you had fun.
When a woman like you abandons you,
you want to be entertained.
But people are unpredictable.
Do you talk about me?
Yes. You came back to me while I didn't hope for you anymore.
Say nothing.
We shouldn't be embarrassed.
Will we meet regularly?
Shizuo may have guessed.
Don't worry.
We'll meet in the evening.
Why are you back?
Even if his father would agree,
what would Yumiko think?
He's not the kind to refuse before marriage.
You're weird.
She has charm, I know.
She's much better than me.
I know. I am not insensitive.
But it is sometimes difficult
reconciling sex and marriage.
Why do you get married, then?
Because Yumiko is in love?
Your mother raised you alone?
I know a boy like you.
He sleeps with a lot of girls,
but when you talk about marriage, he scrolls.
This is a son out of wedlock.
He doesn't know what is a home.
What is this doll?
Is that you?
What?
They say you're like that.
You dare tell me that!
Who's my father?
Shizuo!
Shizuka Matsutani
Good evening. It's so hot I took a bath.
What's wrong? Are you okay?
The more your wedding approaches,
the more you look sad.
Someone told me about you and Mr. Hashimoto,
and this has rekindled memories.
So it's true?
And you...
What do you think?
You're still beautiful.
You had to be even more ten years ago.
I guess you made every man go crazy.
I knew you would interrogate me.
You're adult. You can understand.
When I was young,
I thought you disappeared suddenly,
without giving reasons.
That's why.
Mom...
Even when dad was sick?
Shizuo! How can you imagine such a thing?
If this were the case,
I could be Hashimoto's son.
And then...
Yumiko would be my sister.
You're the son of my husband.
The only son of Takao Matsutani!
Of course,
but I wanted you to tell me.
It is you who put me in the world.
I can only entrust to you.
If you have such ideas,
it's my fault.
Mom!
You're my mother. Hashimoto is the father of Yumiko.
Try not to be alone with him.
Marriage is a strange institution.
Who could invent that?
It was only after marriage that I loved your father.
It's the same for most couples.
Here... your school notebooks.
Once married, you show them to Yumiko.
What is that?
This is nothing.
How not?
This is your umbilical cord.
My cord...?
Is it for me or for you? It's hard to say.
Mother, your umbrella.
Dad, you can go now.
Driving at night is dangerous.
I have a driver.
He even drives when he has drunk.
We're going to separate here.
Thank you.
Bye.
Why cry?
We'll spend the night at the hotel.
Shizuka.
Really...
I thank you,
for everything.
You treated me well.
What are you saying? You will heal, that's for sure.
Today,
I feel better.
But this means
that my body is weakening,
that I've no strength to fight anymore.
But no! That's because you're doing better.
I love your smell.
Shizuka...
Show you...
so I do not forget you.
I beg you.
You're beautiful.
I am happy, Shizuka.
Take care of your body.
I want you to stay always so beautiful.
Kiss me.
I understand.
I acted like your husband.
It's a proof of love.
I'll love you in his place.
You're strange.
At night, you remain unmoved.
And in broad daylight, you want me.
I do not care.
I finally felt desired.
I finally thought
that you regretted our marriage.
One could believe that, indeed.
It's not your fault.
It's my fault. How to tell?
I find it hard to say:
I love you.
I understand.
You lived alone with your mother.
I understand.
I love you!
We form a beautiful couple.
Yes.
What a change!
Why?
Last time, you were so far away.
This is normal. We were not married yet.
Do I please you?
What?
I talk about my body, of course.
Yes, I like it.
The whole family is together!
I, the widow, am I unwanted?
No, there is still food to eat.
I have great news.
Next month, you'll become head of department.
You'll be the first head of department who is less than 30 years.
Thank you for it.
He is good for the bank, but one day he will follow you.
Hashimoto, you chose your son with care.
I know.
I also want to thank you.
You're lucky to have them near to you.
In the evening, I'm alone at the table.
Is Shizuka okay?
He was offered a stereo. She's okay.
Say, dad, could you not plead the cause of Mr. Yamazaki
at the side of Shizuo's mother?
What do you think, Shizuo?
The bold and the beautiful.
I wanted to talk to you about this for a long time.
This is not the reason of his promotion.
He has great qualities.
I gotta go. I forgot something.
Excuse me. Stay with them.
Just at the most important moment.
How selfish, your father!
Marriage makes you even more beautiful!
As a woman, are you satisfied?
Do not be intrusive.
Yumiko, help me to find a wife.
Ask Shizuo. His mother will listen.
It is true? Listen to me, Shizuo, Mr. head of department,
do something.
It is sad to lay next to an empty pillow, at night.
I bring this to your mother.
Mr. head of department!
They are all selfish!
Yumiko, console me.
Stop!
Shizuo! Come back soon!
You...
I think you don't love me.
You're wrong.
No, I'm sure.
Even an old one like Yamazaki
is full of enthusiasm.
But you...
Yamazaki is vicious.
With tears in his eyes, he tried to embrace me,
with incredible force.
But you, you're indifferent.
You do not want me.
Why?
If you don't love me, say it frankly!
It's not your fault.
You're insensitive.
That is true.
In this house, I don't feel free.
What do you mean?
I always feel that your father observes me.
And all desire is extinguished.
Are you sure this is the real reason?
Yes.
Why not having said that earlier?
I'm your wife.
I'll go anywhere with you.
Your father will accept?
I don't care.
Good.
We will move.
Tomorrow, I'll look for an apartment.
No.
Not tonight.
But,
after the move, you will have to love me a lot.
Are you there?
I passed by.
Heartless one! Since you're married, you forgot your mother.
Are you going out?
Yes, for a lesson. But I have time.
Do you want some tea?
Tea? no.
A beer, then?
I have them cool.
Do you like your new apartment?
Just the two of you is better.
You go along well with Yumiko?
I'm concerned.
You don't have to worry.
You're my only son. It's normal that I'm concerned.
- Don't you want it? - No. It makes me blush.
Never mind.
You've been appointed head of department?
- Who told you? - Who?
Who talked to you about my promotion?
Mr. Hashimoto.
You don't tell me nothing.
You don't want to remarry?
What a strange idea!
My boss loves you well.
- Not me. - Why?
What do you think, you?
You wanted so much that I stay here.
Have you changed your mind?
Mom,
don't you feel alone?
Sometimes. Of course.
So I remember happy days with your father.
We were very happy.
When he became ill,
I tried everything.
I did everything I could.
I have no regrets. That's what counts most, Shizuo.
I gotta go. Do you accompany me?
He's a strange student.
She wants to learn Ikebana in ten days.
Shizuo... still no baby?
I don't want it.
Why?
It's thanks to you that I survived.
It would be an unfortunate child.
What a pessimism!
Mom, you have an appointment with Hashimoto.
During our honeymoon, I saw your umbrella
in a hotel of the spa.
If I was reluctant to get married,
it was fear that you would see him again.
I didn't want him!
Mom, I beg you, don't see this man anymore.
He despises us.
Since dad's disease, he tries to have us!
Your remarriage, I don't care.
Mom...
I just wish that you're still my mother.
I go back.
Maybe I said too much.
But I have only you.
Are you gonna talk to Yumiko?
I do not know.
I can't predict it.
I'm late.
I was about to leave.
Bye.
Stay.
I start early tomorrow.
Your wife asked me to await your return.
Good evening.
He's quite nervous.
This is normal.
Alone with the wife of another, late in the evening.
There's nothing to panic.
Your eyes!
They're not the eyes of a husband!
You invited Murata on purpose.
It was calculated...
to make him suffer
and to test me.
It is the role of a husband, right? You're despicable.
Do you feel guilty?
You're inhuman!
And you?
Daughter of Hashimoto!
And then?
You know. He and my mother had an affair
and continue so.
I suspected they would see each other.
I wanted to dissuade my mother.
You understand my emotion.
Your father will come back very upset.
If you don't believe me, go to your place,
and you'll understand.
Yumiko doesn't want to return to the apartment.
Really?
What do you think?
What, if she's decided?
Are you going to divorce?
You shouldn't have married.
Did he have to talk to Yumiko?
What has that to do with the two of you?
Nothing.
Do you really think so?
Your mother's still desirable.
But, she and me, we age.
So, love and desire will eventually disappear.
This is not an excuse.
I think so.
I'm unhappy, too,
with my wife in bed.
Not during the war.
When dad lived,
were you already going to bed with my mother?
Your father was too weak to satisfy a woman like her.
Without love!
I loved her. I love her still.
Wrong!
Calm down. We're here to talk between men.
You collect women.
Even the young geisha...
That one...
I often slept with her.
Don't tell Yumiko.
For how long has the relationship with my mother been going on?
I can't remember; more than 20 years.
Was I already born?
I think so.
Why do you ask that?
If I was not born yet,
maybe I have the same father as Yumiko.
Did you ever think of that?
Do not say bullshit!
Can you prove it?
And you dare marry Yumiko!
Water, please.
Did I sleep long?
A full day.
Have I spoken?
I was so scared when I learned about the accident.
But this is not very serious.
Hashimoto... he died?
Mere scratches. He had a lot of luck.
Let's return home.
Home?
Yes, at your place.
Shizuo, you must return to Yumiko.
You resign to go to Hashimoto?
No, I'm going nowhere.
How's that?
Have you talked to someone?
No, to nobody.
I want to take a little rest.
Aren't you feeling well?
You're embarrassed because I thought of marrying your mother?
I don't think of it anymore. I know everything. Hashimoto told me.
Bye.
Why drink so much?
This is not good for your health.
You want water?
What is that?
A sleeping pill. Sometimes I take one.
Go quickly to bed.
Mom...
I was dreaming.
A strange dream.
A river dragged me.
When I awoke,
I was near a lake I knew.
The sunset was magnificent.
The sky and water, everything was red.
Mom...
let's die together.
To become free,
we have no other way.
You're still so young.
Even that's a burden.
Mom!
You, here.
Mom is gone.
Your mother?
Mom and me had decided to die together,
but she's gone alone,
with medications.
Shizuo!
When I thought I was going to die soon,
I finally understood that I love you!
I felt deeply
that I can only be one with you.
This is the truth.
Is there someone?
- Hurry! Get over here. - What is it?
They passed very late.
To go to the mountains.