CONCEPT: MONKEYTOWN PRODUCTIONS
"HARU NO TABI" - FILMPARTNERS PRESENT
A PRODUCTION BY LATERNA AND MONKEY PRODUCTIONS
Hurry up!
MACHIKE STATION
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
Naoshi YODA
PRODUCER:
Muneyuki KII, Naoko KOBAYASHI
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Sakura WAKITA, Masahiro KOBAYASHI
Tatsuya NAKADAI
Eri TOKUNAGA
A FILM BY Masahiro KOBAYASHI
HARU'S JOURNEY
Grandfather!
This is dangerous!
I'm sorry about what I've said.
I've hurt you.
Don't do it! Let us return.
Rubbish!
You made the suggestion, I'm only doing what you told me.
I'm telling you, it was...
It's ok!
What a gorgeous house.
That's the only one that's gorgeous.
Dear me!
It's very silent. Like a death watch.
I'm freezing!
You should ventilate once a day. That's healthy.
There!
Long time no see.
You're kidding? What happened to your mother was terrible.
- Don't talk about it. - Yes.
Listen, Haru!
Yes?
Forget your mother!
I cannot forgive a woman who kills herself.
It doesn't matter what the circumstances were.
That is inexcusable.
- Sister-in-law? - Yes?
What is this person saying?
Excuse me?
To forgive someone, or not to forgive...
What is he talking about?
Haru's mother is my niece nonetheless.
Who cares!
The life of a human is only the concern of himself.
Right?
As always, your eccentric manner!
- If you don't stop it... - It's too late for that.
By the way, Tadao...
Why are you here for?
- Why you are here? - To ask for something.
- Money? - Not money!
What else?
Grandfather suddenly felt like seeing you.
Nothing more.
Right, grandfather?
No, that's not true.
I'm here because of a certain request.
Please leave us alone, Haru.
Grandfather...
Go!
Sister-in-law?
I'm sorry.
Let's go over there!
Grandfather, let it go! Let it go...
Go now.
What happened?
- I said something stupid. - What?
I looked around earlier.
Next to the toilet is a storage room.
That would be sufficient. Let me stay there.
The primary school's canteen, where Haru works...
is going to be closed.
That's her reason for going to Tokyo.
That means, I'm going to be alone.
I cannot live alone.
I said, let go of the herrings!
For decades you were dreaming about the big catch.
Because of those herrings, father could pay off the house.
That happened several decades ago.
You haven't sold it, nonetheless.
What can you do, if nobody is living there anymore?
I told you back then:
Let go of the herrings, come back from Hokkaido and move in there.
If you had lived there, we wouldn't be here now.
I have my duty towards the herrings.
It supported our family.
It's only fish. It doesn't matter how bad the catches were.
I just couldn't give up the fishery.
I know, it's a big request.
I never got along with you.
But I don't have a choice.
Please take me in.
Is that the way to ask for something?
Besides I'm your older brother.
Even if you are the older one,
you are only a human being to me.
I'd like to treat you as an equal person.
Well, first of all, nobody can live there.
There is no window.
Window or not, I don't care.
Even if you don't care,
how would it look like?
I had passed everything to my son and retired.
But I still have a social life.
Everyday a lot of people come here.
It doesn't matter, how successful or unsuccessful you are,
if there is be a rumor about me,
letting my own brother live in the storage room,
- ...my dignity will be undermined. - Dignity? - Yes, my dignity!
The oldest son being adopted by the family of his wife...
Is that your dignity?
What are you thinking!
Why did you, of all people,
choose me?
The person that you couldn't get along with the most.
I thought, I'm going to start where there is the least hope.
Excuse me?
What kind of explanation is that?
That's how it is.
Hey, Haru! Haru!
Your grandfather is calling.
We are going.
At least stay for tonight.
How could I stay here!
But... Grandfather!
Tadao!
Go to Michio in Sendai.
He is a respected man.
He probably can help you out.
Let's go.
I'm going to a retirement home this fall.
And there will be free rooms.
Let's go together.
I don't have the right to make the decision.
I have to do what my son and his wife tell me to.
Idiot.
Please wait here.
I'll go in and ask.
Excuse me!
Thank you!
With dinner and breakfast, it's 6500 Yen.
And?
It's expensive, but I took it.
Oh!
That looks delicious.
Grandfather?
Are you ok, Grandfather?
Grandfather!
Grandfather.
Yes...
My first sip since twenty years.
It went to my head.
Why are you drinking then?
How could you stand it without alcohol?
I regret it.
I didn't know why I said that.
Let's turn back.
No...
I'm not turning back.
You were right.
You cannot be locked-in forever, like the courtesans in the past.
Soon it's going to be five years...
since your mother died.
You took care of me for five years.
Now it's your turn.
Move to the city,
get a flat...
and work.
And you?
What am I supposed to do?
I can't accompany you.
On the other hand I can't live alone,
...with that leg.
That's why I'm going to do, what you had told me.
To get fed...
by my brothers and sisters.
Like my older brother,
I also thought about a retirement home.
But I can't get into a state-owned one,
where there are hundreds of people...
on the waiting list.
On the other hand I cannot afford...
to pay for a private one.
That means,
even if we don't get along,
it's the best to go to one of my siblings.
I don't think you can do that.
Whether you can do it or not,
you will only know after trying.
I don't think so.
Then I can't live anymore.
Well, are we eating?
No longer...
warm anymore.
Grandfather...
Eat something!
Tomorrow, we'll go to the cemetery.
Go on.
Eat.
It totally changed!
In the past, a plain beach reached up to there.
In the year I was born,
a tsunami flooded this harbor.
Our house was swallowed by the sea.
My father borrowed money
and built a house on the hill.
But then the fishing limits have been restricted severely.
Therefor my father remained at land.
At 16 years old, I left this place.
I've heard that in Hokkaido, it's possible to catch a lot of herrings.
Sufficient to build several palaces.
That stirred the blood of a fisherman within me,
which I inherited from my father.
It's possible, that the blood of a fisherman lies in you, too.
Within me?
Why don't you try to swim?
Go on!
Go!
Stop it! It's dangerous.
Stop it.
How was it?
Here you go!
- Thanks. - Thank you!
Where did he go?
Year after year, we received
new year greeting cards from this address.
That is strange.
It doesn't matter whom I'm asked, no one knows a Yukio Nakai.
Let's go there again, after we finished eating.
Pointless.
Whatever. We're going there again.
Pointless!
We're going there again.
Delicious, this ramen!
Eat.
Kikuchi.
Excuse me!
Is there someone named Nakai living here?
No. No one with that name is living here.
Buy every year, a new year greeting card is sent from here.
- Are your letters replied? - I don't write letters.
You are too lazy to write.
I don't like writing.
I don't know many Kanji characters.
We have that in common.
I've always been on the ship.
There was no time to learn the characters.
You've been a sailor?
Yes. Well...
It's really strange.
He wrote he's with a waitress,
and they had a child,
and he became respectable.
How long ago was that?
Maybe twenty years.
If the child has been born twenty years ago,
the child would be twenty years old?
The same age as I am.
That means 19 this year.
Is that right?
Mother said so.
Is that child a girl?
A boy.
A boy aged 19.
In that case...
Mrs Shimizu has a son around that age.
Shimizu?
But the family consists of only a mother and a son.
Where is that Mrs Shimizu living?
There.
There, on the second floor.
Over there?
There is probably no bath here.
No, there is one.
Yes?
Afterall, it's a hotel.
Then there will be one.
Are you going?
Well...
Not today.
Why don't you go?
I went yesterday.
You should take a bath everyday.
You're right.
- Is there alcohol to drink? - No.
- Why not? - Because it's bad for your legs. Isn't it?
What a bore I became.
In the past I seldom drink.
All the women liked me.
- You told me before. - Really?
Many times.
Well...
Have you finished eating?
But I just started.
Hey, watch out.
You're making a mess again.
You're right.
Every grain of rice is precious.
That's for the accommodation today.
That's for our food tomorrow.
That's for the travel expenses tomorrow.
And that's for the ferry on the way back.
It's not enough.
It'll not be enough.
Do you know, Haru...
Yukio is the youngest child.
My parents have spoiled him a lot.
But he was worse then me,
and did not even pass high school.
Have you been to high school?
Me?
I've only been to primary school.
Where did he go to?
He was a good guy.
Maybe he is in prison again.
Well, that's possible.
He might not be dead after all.
If he is dead, we would have received a notice.
That's right.
Are we visiting your older sister tomorrow?
She probably is as lively as ever.
And I'm going to be grumbled at again.
Listen Haru.
What is it?
Why aren't we going to the apartment again,
before taking the train?
If you want to.
I think maybe that Mrs. Shimizu
is Yuko's wife.
Listen.
Maybe you should give up Uncle Yukio by now.
But...
I got along with him very well.
- Thank you! - It was delicious.
Yes, thanks! Thank you a lot.
Refilling is free. Eat as much rice as you want to.
I can't eat anymore.
I don't believe that. You still have side dishes!
I wanted to get it wrapped up.
- Grandfather! - You are an unusual guest!
These days no one gets something wrapped up.
- Isn't it possible? - That's not what I mean. The contrary!
People don't appreciate food anymore. That's what I meant!
Why don't you make filled rice balls with it?
- Then we would save a meal. - Grandfather!
As an exception, as an exception!
I'm sorry.
Grandfather!
How embarrassing.
Why is it embarrassing?
- Hey, here you are. - Did you wait?
- Mrs Shimizu! - Yes?
- Grilled fish. - Yes.
Hey, Haru!
Go and ask.
"Are you the wife of Yukio Nakai?"
Go.
My Grandfather is looking for him
I'm sorry you had to wait!
- Is it ok to close? - It's always empty in the afternoon.
Especially recently.
Closing up is almost better.
There you are!
Who would have known that you are the wife of Yukio?
Not his wife.
The marriage never got registered.
You mean a concubinage?
Well...
When is Yukio getting out again?
Next year?
Or the year after?
Oh dear! I forgot.
What did he do this time?
If he had really done something, I could still accept it.
He's in for a criminal act by someone else.
Someone else?
He owed him.
He thought after two or three years, he would be out. As if!
Eight years.
For something he didn't do?
Yes.
And your son?
He's living in Tokyo and preparing for the entrance examinations to university.
That means the new year greeting cards grandfather received each year...
They came from me.
From you?
Yukio said that I should send a new year greeting card only to his brother Tadao.
I see.
That's how it went!
That's so typical of him.
Conscientiously.
It would be nice, if he could live conscientiously.
Can't he? Live conscientiously?
He probably can live only in a prison.
I'm sorry, but I have to go back to the restaurant.
I have to say I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for the sudden visit.
Thank you.
Well...
If Yukio returns, please let us know.
We all have our cross to bear.
Yukio really is a good guy.
Really?
Women can't recognize his good side.
Hey!
What are you doing?
Thank you! Have a safe trip home.
Thank you.
- Thanks. - Please visit us again.
It's great you are here, Haru.
- I haven't been in touch for a long time. - Yes, so you have to show up more often.
Yes.
Abandon that old man.
- Tadao! - Mmm...?
What do you mean "Mmm"? You could have gave a call.
The world doesn't revolve around you.
Other people are busy, too.
- That's right. - Of course that's right!
- I know. - You know nothing!
Not a bit.
You have always been like that.
Is that so?
You are beyond help!
So how long do you wish to stay?
- Forever. - What do you mean, forever?
I thought maybe I could find shelter here until I die.
That's not possible!
- Why not? - Why not?
Well, what could you do here?
There is a rule here: If you don't work, you are not allowed to eat.
If you help to chop wood, we can talk about it.
I'm not able to do that.
- I'm not good on my legs. - You don't chop wood with your legs.
But with your arms and back!
- I'm really not able to do that. - Then it won't work.
Well?
You should go home and let Haru stay here.
Haru can do everything. She could learn to keep the books...
Yes!
That's a good idea!
That's how we should do it.
You're going back, Haru is staying here.
Well, that... I don't know.
I'm not asking you, I'm asking Haru.
I...
"I" what?
You have to abandon that spoiled grandfather immediately.
Otherwise you're going to regret it your whole life!
Your life is not there for others.
It's there for yourself.
Yes.
Let's stop for today. So where is our room?
Unfortunately we are fully booked today.
The guest rooms are occupied.
Haru is sleeping in my room, and Tadao...
You can sleep in the Futon storage room.
Ok!
No problems with either the futon storage room or dog kennel...
- Tomorrow you'll get a guest room. - Oh, no...
I'm going to stay in the futon storage room.
Don't make such a fuss about it!
Haru...
Didn't you work for the canteen of a primary school?
- Yes. - Then you should know kitchen work.
I'm sorry, but could you change your clothes and help me now?
Today the house is very busy.
There is a lot to do, and I'd be glad to get some help.
Ok.
Ok then...
Grandfather?
Exactly like I said.
So you aren't gloomy?
My sister is the only one, where I duck my head.
It's not working for Yukio,
neither too with my older brother.
If it's not working with my sister,
the only one left is Michio.
Michio...
- Here they are! - Let it cool down.
Now spread the pickled vegetables.
Yes.
What is it?
To stay at the futon storage room the whole day,
makes me feel depressed.
The rooms are getting cleaned now. Please be patient!
Listen.
There is a cafe that has good coffee. Give me a treat.
Is the poor brother supposed to treat the big sister?
Don't make a fuss! It's your fault that you're poor.
Good morning!
- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Welcome.
Here! Sit down.
Yes.
Two coffee, please.
Yes, immediately.
Very delicious!
I love the coffee here.
So?
You have to drink coffee in a cafe.
I never had one before.
You never had coffee before?
It's the first time in my life.
I don't believe it!
How do you drink it?
With sugar and milk, if you like.
Coffee without anything is called black. That's an acquired taste.
Then I try it like that.
And?
What?
About what you said yesterday evening...
That you'd like to stay here.
You said that, because you're thinking of Haru, right?
That's how it is?
The school she's working for,
is going to be closed.
That means, Haru won't have work anymore.
You can't find good work in the town.
Therefore, it's better to go to the city.
Times are bad everywhere.
Even in the city, it's possible she won't find work.
Yes, you're right about that.
Say, why don't you leave Haru with me?
- Are you continuing with yesterday's discussion? - Yes.
Then you shouldn't ask me.
If Haru agrees, I won't object.
Can I speak with Haru?
You already spoke with her yesterday.
Again, but formally.
Formally...
You know?
You have to live on, alone.
Be strong.
I always did what I only wanted.
How am I supposed to live alone?
My wife passed away.
And then...
my only daughter died, too.
Something is wrong with me.
Maybe I'm bringing misfortune.
Why else would there be
no one around me...
I want to be frank with you.
They are all your victims.
Of you and your dreams about herrings.
But not Haru, too.
Whatever happens, not her.
I know.
You don't know anything!
You are a big bonehead,
who only thinks about himself until his death.
I say it again.
You must not make Haru your victim.
I'm cold!
You have to let the air in once a day.
So, pull yourself together.
Oh, you're back.
Excuse me! I kidnapped him.
She gave me a scolding.
Haru, can you come with me?
Haru.
Sit down. I'll make tea for us.
- Shall I... - It's ok. Sit down!
Your Grandfather has a difficult life at the moment.
Why should it be so?
His wife dies
and then the same thing happens to your mother.
And now he has to learn
to live without you.
In my opinion it's important to experience bad things, too.
Especially for Tadao.
That's why we need to be strict with him.
We need to reject him.
I, too had difficult times,
when my husband died.
When the hotel had some problems,
and I became desperate,
I thought about selling it.
If you have employees, it could get difficult quite fast.
Even now it's certainly not easy.
There is also the question about my succession.
I have a lot of sorrows all the time.
But distress pushes you forward,
I decided.
The way I see it, everything becomes easy!
All sorrows appear to be folly.
That is what really matters
in life.
And that's why it's better to abandon Tadao.
You should abandon him, and let him stand on his own feet.
And then you would be doing him something good.
To be honest, it was me telling him
to rely on his siblings.
But now I changed my opinion.
Now I'd like to stay with him forever.
It doesn't matter what's happening, I'd like to stay with him.
That won't work!
It's not good for you,
and it's not good for Tadao.
Listen, Haru,
why don't you work for me here?
Under the condition that you'll become my successor.
Wouldn't that appeal to you?
Do I have to give an answer immediately?
If possible, I'd like to get the answer now.
Did you talk to my sister?
And?
I refused.
I see!
I don't want it.
I don't want to live separately from you.
For a long time I thought it's better.
But now I changed my mind.
I don't want it anymore.
Let us visit Uncle Michio tomorrow!
We're going to visit him, and after that we return home.
YAKITORI, ODEN
Thank you.
Oh, it's raining.
I'm sorry, Haru.
Tadao?
Stop relying on Haru like that.
I know.
Are you sure?
- Haru? - Yes.
That's bad! But I'm going to accept your decision.
I'm sorry.
Be brave.
Yes.
You, too.
Ok, then...
Thank you for everything.
Maybe we won't see each other again.
Remain as the bold sister that you are.
That goes without saying!
That's all...
Good-bye!
Grandfather!
Could you wait a minute?
- What is it? - I'm calling Uncle Michio.
Why?
We have to spend the night with him.
Let's go to a hotel today.
- We don't have money. - We are in the city. A hotel!
Let's go.
Oh dear!
That's all we have.
Let's go.
I'm sorry, but we're fully booked.
I see.
Everything is booked here, too.
Do we need to walk again?
Yes.
I don't want to walk anymore.
My legs are hurting.
I'm calling a taxi.
Before you call a taxi,
you need to find a hotel first.
Could you wait here a minute? I go and look for one.
I'm hungry.
I can't wait too long.
Ok, I understand!
Do you have a room for two?
Regrettably we are fully booked today. We have no vacancies.
Why? Why is it fully booked everywhere?
There is a symposium.
Symposium?
Do you have any vacant rooms for two?
That took ages!
All hotels are fully booked.
There seems to be a symposium.
What's that, a symposium?
A symposium is a symposium.
Yes, and what's that, a symposium?
If you don't know it, how should I know it?
It seems we have to spend the night at Michio's.
You're saying that now?
Come on and call him.
Ok, I'm going.
Notebook.
- Notebook! - Notebook?
Go on.
And?
"The number you have dialed is currently not assigned."
What's that supposed to mean?
I don't know.
What does it mean?
I don't know!
What do we do now?
We're staying here until morning.
Here?
I don't know what else could be done.
Staying here until the morning?
What about you?
I'm on a diet.
I see.
Sir, I'm very sorry...
Let's go, Grandfather.
I can't anymore.
That doesn't help.
I won't take one step anymore.
Ok, and now?
Carry me.
No!
- Carry me! - I said no!
Do what you want.
Haru!
What?
Are you going to abandon me?
Exactly! I'm going to abandon you.
- You want to let me die on the roadside. - Exactly!
Great. I'm going to die.
I'm going to die.
Stop it!
- I'm going to die. - Stop it, Grandfather!
Stop it!
There is nothing left,
that is worth living for.
Therefore I'm dying.
Grandfather.
Grandfather!
- I'm so pathetic. - Grandfather!
Grandfather...
It has changed a lot here!
It has changed completely.
Don't you start again.
I heard about it often enough.
It has changed completely.
There used to be apartment buildings and shops everywhere.
Grandfather!
What is it?
According to the address it's here.
It's an empty plot of land.
But it's here.
What happened?
How am I supposed to know?
What happened?
There was a huge building here.
"Utsugi Real Estates",
was written on the company's logo.
Utsugi?
The maiden name of his wife.
When his father-in-law died,
he took over the business.
It is said that he's doing all sort of business dealings.
I'm going to ask for Uncle Michio's new address.
- How strange. - Excuse me!
What happened?
Hey, Michio!
It's me. Tadao!
Open up!
Brother...
Hello!
What are you doing here...
May I come in?
- Aren't you asking them to sit down? - No thanks.
- Michio! - They are leaving, soon.
There's no need to offer them something to drink too.
Hey...
I'm cold!
You brothers are all the same.
I sold the house and and the land,
not because I needed the money.
Before starting the second half of my life,
I wanted to have some kind of isolation.
I'm having more than enough money. I have tons of it. But...
I want to be the top property tycoon. That's why...
I'm holing up in this small apartment,
playing dead.
Reading those newspapers from front to the last page,
and trying to anticipate,
how Japan's economy is going to develop.
It doesn't matter what kind of profession, everyone feels the same.
The politicians, too.
You observe the economic condition,
you read those newspapers,
and you lie in wait completely quiet for the next business opportunity.
Oh well...
That's how it is.
Well now,
I have listened to your stories.
I was busy and I haven't had breakfast,
and you were complaining.
Therefore nothing changed.
Since your childhood,
you haven't changed at all.
You've always been like that.
A worthless fellow! Unworldly would be understated.
That's what irritated me all the time.
You are always eccentric.
If you stop being eccentric,
then you will be respected by everyone.
But you are still whining.
That's not how it works!
Anyway,
how egoistic are you?
You have ignored us for years,
and never showed up.
Only depending on Shigeo and
Shigeko, and now me?
I have...
If your leg has problems,
you amputate it.
Usually.
And if the other one isn't good, you amputate that one too.
With something like that, you would have been welcomed.
As an invalid!
Then you're allowed to be supported by others.
Don't complain about your age,
when you still have all your limbs.
For someone like that, I won't do anything.
Giving people charity like the war-wounded in former times,
makes sense to me.
What a great big brother.
Don't show up your face,
unashamedly in front of me ever again.
Asshole!
Did you just call me asshole?
I did.
What's up?
Do you want me to repeat it?
If you like, I will repeat it.
Asshole! Asshole!
Asshole!
You asshole...
Is that how you talk...
- ...to your older brother! - Grandfather!
You asshole.
Grandfather!
Asshole, asshole...
Aunt!
I'm sorry.
I should be sorry instead,
for what he said.
Don't be.
It's not bad, if they can still argue like that at that age.
Besides...
he's not always that bad.
"Take a suite", he said.
I fell in love with him again a little bit.
Would that be all right?
Actually we are completely broke.
But it doesn't matter. Because we don't have children.
We will find ways to make ends meet.
Aunt...
Well...
Come visit us! You're always welcome. So...
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Everything is fine.
Let's go eat something.
It didn't work.
Nothing worked.
Haru.
I'm going to stay at home.
- But you... - Let's stop talking about it.
- But... - I don't want to hear it.
Yes, but...
Grandfather?
Suddenly, I'd like to meet my father.
All the time, I had never wanted to do that.
But when I saw you with your siblings,
I became envious.
And I suddenly wanted to meet my father.
Would you come along?
I'd like to see him.
I'd like to see my father.
Grandfather!
Grandfather, you mustn't die!
Grandfather!
Grandfather...
Hey...
What happened, Haru?
Don't scare me like that.
I'm glad...
I'm glad!
What happened, Haru?
I'm really glad!
During the good times, everyone is good.
During the bad times, everyone is bad.
Well, that's how it is.
Right?
Grandfather, don't you want to eat?
Don't you want to eat?
What are you doing?
Grandfather, are you alright?
Are you alright?
What's up?
I'd like to return home.
After we have reached here?
You are Haru, right?
I'm pleased to meet you.
- How do you know me? - I'm sorry,...
...I can't hear on that ear. Can you repeat again?
How do you know me?
From the photos.
Then you are father's...
I'm Nobuko.
That's how it is.
I have always wanted to meet you.
My grandfather.
Ah yes, please come!
Please.
I take it. Thank you.
This way.
Hey, Haru.
Please.
Have a seat.
Here!
Did you know it, Grandfather?
During the the second day of the funeral,
your father said that...
there is someone, he'd like to be with.
So?
Whether to tell you, or to keep it as a secret,
it obviously bothered him a lot.
He could have told me.
But back then you have...
only just entered grammar school.
You were still vulnerable at that age.
It's not much different now.
You're right.
It hurts me.
Don't say that.
Here you are.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
Shin'ichi...
Haru and her Grandfather are here.
Oh, Haru.
- I haven't shown up for a long time. - Me, too. Father, we haven't met for a long time.
I'm sorry, for suddenly showing up.
No, don't worry.
Please sit down.
There you are.
I'll take a walk over there.
Grandfather.
It's been a long time. Have a quiet talk.
Well then...
Aren't you cold?
It's ok
Your name is Nobuko, right?
Yes.
Nobuko...
How shall I call you?
Right.
Can I call you dad?
I don't know!
If your real father knows about it, he'll be in a bad mood.
I don't have a father.
I grew up alone with my mother.
Just like Haru.
That's how it is.
I had never dared to hope to meet you.
I never thought I would come.
All this time,
I thought I'll never come and meet you.
I didn't want to see you.
And this probably will be the last time.
The first and last time.
Yeah?
She looks like mother.
Nobuko?
She's the spitting image of her.
Father, you loved my mother.
Why did you get a divorce?
You don't want to be asked about this!
But it's my right to ask.
Mine solely.
There is no reason.
When people divorce, there is no reason for it.
After some time, you drift apart. Nothing more.
I don't understand that.
You don't need to.
I can only say to you that, I'm really sorry.
You had the most difficult time.
I don't want to hear any of that! I don't want any excuses!
Actually I knew it.
It's an affair, right?
Mother had a lover, right?
That why you couldn't forgive her.
Is that why?
I knew it!
I was young, but I know everything.
Mother started working in a bar.
She started returning home later and later.
And sometimes, a man drove her back.
And you hit her, right?
Almost beat her to death.
And then you left.
And never returned.
How often I went to your working place.
- But you quitted your job. - Let bygones be bygones.
Say, father...
Can't you forgive a mistake?
Why do people think of nothing but themselves?
Well...
Haru.
Mother wanted you...
to forgive her.
And...
And then...
She realized that she would never be forgiven.
And she jumped into the sea.
Father!
What is it?
If you agree, father...
Would you want to live with us?
Forever.
I can't do that.
Why not?
Why can't you do that?
I can't do that.
We've only met for the first time.
But I...
feel like you're my real father.
I don't remember his face.
Sometimes I can only see it vaguely in front of me.
But that doesn't matter.
I...
Would want to live with you,
just like you're my real father.
If you would like to, please live here.
Live with us forver.
What would Shin'ichi think about it?
Shin'ichi always talks about you.
That he is not living with you, too.
And that he regrets it.
He likes you.
He really likes you.
Even if we are strangers,
a human being still is a human being.
Isn't it essential to learn to get along with someone?
Thank you.
That gesture alone is more than enough.
Haru.
Grandfather.
What is it?
Why are you crying?
I'm not.
Listen, Haru...
Shall we sneak away secretly?
That's what I wanted to suggest, too.
We two get along quite well. Don't you think so?
RESTAURANT IZUMl
HANDMADE SOBA NOODLES
It's great, isn't it? The soba.
You've been here before?
Many years ago.
Many years ago, I was here.
Even before you were born.
When Shin'ichi's parents
were still alive.
And your mother was pregnant with you.
For the first time, we came here.
"She's expecting his child."
"Let them get married."
His parents flatly refused.
I didn't know what to do.
On the way back home,
I came here with your mother.
I remember that even now.
Your mother...
shed tears...
dripping into the soba.
There I said,
"If you're going to cry like that, you're going to make it so salty,"
"...that it will become inedible."
Don't blame Shin'ichi.
He left his parents,
and married your mother.
I know that.
I know that!
Grandfather...
I'm going to stay with you forever.
In the town,
or in the fish cannery or at a fruit farm...
I'm going to find work somewhere.
And then I'm going to stay with you forever.
Eventually I'm going...
to find someone I love.
But if he don't want to live with you,
I won't want him.
I'm going to find someone.
You can put your mind at ease.
We...
...certainly won't be separated.
Do you understand?
This is the local train to Machike.
The next stop is the terminal Machike.
Grandfather?
Re-edited By ArchaicFurore For Comments & Feedback : (signup@post.com)
SOURCE, BOOK AND DIRECTOR: Masahiro KOBAYASHI
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
Tatsuya NAKADAI
Eri TOKUNAGA
Hideji OTAKl
Kin SUGAI
Kaoru KOBAYASHI
Yuko TANAKA
Chikage AWASHIMA
Tetsuya YAMAMOTO
Nana NAGAO
Akira EMOTO
Jun MIHO
Naho TODA
Teruyuki KAGAWA
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Naoshi YODA
PRODUCERS: Muneyuki KII, Naoko KOBAYASHl
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Sakura WAKITA, Masahiro KOBAYASHI
MUSIC: Junya SAKUMA
CAMERA: Kenji TAKAMA
LIGHT: Masamichi UWABO
SCENERY: Teru YAMAZAKl
SOUND: Shin FUKUDA
EDITING: Naoki KANEKO
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Kazuhiko ISHIDA
SOUND EFFECTS: Mitsuru SEYA
COSTUMES: Takayuki SUZUKI
DRESSING: Masae MIYAMOTO
MAKE-UP: Midori ONUMA
PLANNING: MONKEYTOWN PRODUCTIONS
PRODUCTION: LATERNA, MONKEYTOWN PRODUCTIONS