A Shochiku Production
Yonezu Beach Hamamatsu City Shizuoka
Port of Flowers
Directed by Keisuke Kinoshita
Such a beautiful spot!
A lovely view.
My father was wise to choose this island.
Indeed.
In 1943, while the Pacific War raged
Keisuke Kinoshita directed his first film, "Port of Flowers".
He was born in Hamamatsu and shot on location there,
commuting from his family home.
That year,
along with fellow debutant Akira Kurosawa,
he won the Sadao Yamanaka Prize for the best new directors,
beginning a joyous life in film.
The Army
Directed by Keisuke Kinoshita
GO on, jump! Do it!
How could you be so careless!
Bow clown and apologize properly!
However, as the tide of the war turned
the nation demanded more cooperation from its citizens,
and the firm industry was required to make propaganda.
"The Army“, directed by Kinoshita in 1944
was a product of that era.
A Cabinet Intelligence Bureau censor
described its last scene
of a mother sending her son off to war as unmanly
and of no use in lifting the spirit for war.
Kinoshita's next project was canceled.
Shochiku Ofuna Studio April 1945
Canceled?
What for'?
The screenplay is done!
Bear with it, Kinoshita.
It pains me too.
Let's make something else.
The bureau disliked
"The Army"'s last scene?
It was too unmanly and western?
So I'm unfit to make a film about the kamikaze.
Do you agree?
I believe that
"The Army" is an admirable piece of work.
But you can't go against the bureau?
You know I can't!
We're losing the war, and the government controls film making.
Production volume, film usage,
and content is out of our hands!
I'm aware of that!
However,
what's wrong about depicting motherly love'?
Isn't it the truth'?
Kinoshita!
Kinoshita,
I believe in your talent.
The cancelation's unfortunate,
but dwelling on it
will not aid you in any way
So the war comes first?
Japanese are heartless?!
I'm not saying that.
You're still young.
You'll go on to make other films.
In terms of your future
directing career,
it might be for the best.
I'll resign.
Kinoshita, wait!
I won't accept it.
Excuse me.
DAWN OF A FILMMAKER: THE KEISUKE KINOSHITA STORY
Kiga Town, Shizuoka
How do you feel, Mother'?
No, lie down.
Still the same'?
As my letter said, I've submitted my resignation.
I'm sorry
You've had a hard time too,
moving from place to place.
But it's lucky we came here.
Hamamatsu's being bombed more.
Toshio,
have father and the others evacuated yet'?
It isn't easy to close the stores
he worked so hard to build.
I kn ow,
but the bombs don't care about that.
Try telling him too.
I'll be with you from now on. Rest easy
No more Keisuke, I'm Shokichi Kinoshita again.
June 18th, 1945 The Great Air Raid of Hamamatsu City
Kinoshita, who was staying at his family's home, ran for his life.
Well,
both stores were burnt down,
but I'm glad we all survived unscathed.
We can't rest easy yet.
The Americans might invade soon,
so we should move to Kassaka.
Suzuki said we can come anytime.
I sent Sakuyo and Yoshiko on ahead.
Our rooms are ready
How do we take Mother'?
Together, by bus.
No, the roads are too rough.
It has to be done carefully
Sure,
but we can't carry her on a door.
Kassaka is 50 or 60 kilometers away
Plus, from Keta we can only go by trolley train.
We'll never find a car to use now.
It has to be by bus.
What about by handcart?
Loan pull it.
It's not 50 or 60 kilometers.
We go to Keta,
then catch a trolley to Kassaka.
Don't be silly
It's a long road to Keta. You'll do yourself in on the way
Listen, I'll ask the bus driver
to go as slowly as he can.
Not with other passengers on board.
A handcart might make for a gentler ride.
But who knows how long it'll take'?
Then we'll leave early
That wouldn't help.
It won't be as easy as you think.
I know.
It'd never work.
How about you, Mother'?
We could take the bus.
Why me too?
I said I can do it myself.
Like hell you can.
It'll be hard enough with two of you.
Doesn't mean we need a handyman.
You're a stubborn one.
The more hands the better.
You always liked
m do Mugs your own way.
You suddenly left home to make movies
then quit without asking us first...
Mother said the car’s OK.
You sure about this?
It'll be tough.
The handyman's late.
I told him to come at 12am...
Hey there he is!
Huh?
Where's Takagi'?
Ah.
He got his draft notice last night so it's me now.
Oh...
That's...
Sorry it's so late.
No problem. That's what handymen are for.
Sorry to ask right away
but about my fee...
Oh, I'll pay what I agreed with Takagi.
Better to check now than quarrel over it later.
So, what am I hauling?
Over there.
'Evening.
Who's this?
Our mother.
We're evacuating to Kassaka, but she's ill.
So, we're taking her like this.
Kassaka'?! Over those mountains?!
You're nuts!
It'll take forever!
That's why we're leaving now.
To avoid the sunlight.
Help us get to Keta.
We'll take a trolley from there.
I ain't hauling no lady in a cart.
Just haul our belongings.
Leave this one for us.
My younger brother. He's coming with us.
Darn right!
All I was told was to haul luggage.
Take care of yourselves. I'll catch the morning bus.
See you.
You alright? Tell us if you're not.
Father once took a cart full of goods
to sell in Suwa, didn't he'?
It took him days to sell it all.
That's right. Some vile fellow
tried to rip him off by purposely getting run over.
After all he went through,
he finally built up his business...
Er... ls this as fast as we go'?
What is it'?
What's wrong?
Look at that sun.
It's gonna be a hot day
So,
do you run your oown business?
Yeah.
We have a grocery in Hamamatsu called Owariya.
Owariya'? I know it!
Owariya, huh. That's a big deal.
It burned clown in the bombing though.
We've been staying
with my wife's family in Kiga.
That's a darn shame.
Still, our family all survived.
Does he run his own store too'?
No, he was a movie...
Toshio. No, he was a movie...
I'm between jobs.
Wow; so you worked in a movie theater?
Movies, huh'? Haven't seen any lately
Movies are great,
but I'd rather eat something tasty
I hear you.
Like what?
Well, it's gotta be curry rice for me.
Been a while since I last had some.
Thick curry poured over
piping-hot rice, as steam rises off it.
I love its smell.
'Amy's it enough to make me hungry?
What do you fancy Shokichi'?
You're only making yourself hungrier.
It's just a bit of fun.
I kn ow,
it's fried icefish for you.
Oh, nice! Fried icefish!
First, a cold beer...
Down the hatch...
Then,
dip the scalding hot fish in tempura sauce...
And some more beer...
Oh boy! Delicious!
That hit the spot!
Wonder when we'll be able to eat that again?
I'm hungrier now than I was before I ate.
"We will want nothing until we win," right'?
And yet, "you can't fight on an empty stomach."
You have to eat.
Just some water then.
She wants us to eat it.
Really?
Did I seem that desperate?
Well, can't let it go to waste.
Ma'am, you're a gem.
Toshio, have this.
Don't mind me. You eat it.
I'm fine. Eat it.
Not hungry?
Then, I'll...
Safe travels.
Say it!
Safe travels.
This heat is crazy!
The road to Keta ain't gonna be easy!
There's one heck of a mountain pass up ahead!
Before we get stuck up there,
how about we turn around,
and catch a train back to Kiga'?
Then we could try again by bus...
If you want to go, drop that and go.
He's got a big mouth for a sickly-looking ticket tearer.
He better not start whining.
Fine! Have it your way!
Those are some nasty clouds.
Toshio, I'll take over.
Darn it.
I'm spent.
Come on, sun's going clown!
What a nerve!
We finally made it!
It's downhill from here!
That idiot! I'll show him!
Three of you'?
There's a sick person in the cart.
We're full-up. Sorry
I hate to tell you this,
but our rooms are all taken by evacuees.
Thank you anyway
So that's it, huh.
The Yanks could attack anytime,
so it's off to the mountains.
How nice to have a place to run to.
Oops...
Don't flimflam me!
You just sit around doing jack squat!
Like heH 1 do! I'm a busy fella.
Huh'?! You're full of it! I'm riled now!
All you do is spout malarkey
You deadbeat!
Hogwash!
All you do is go around
flappin' your gums!
But I ain't
never said that 'cause you'd just
fly into a sulk!
When did I ever sulk?!?!
You drive me up the wall.
You bum!
Excuse me...
May we stay here tonight'?
Sure you can.
Oh, we have a sick person with us...
I see. No problem.
Thank you!
It's a great help.
How shameful, you seeing us fight. What a disgrace.
I'm so embarrassed.
Miss hoity-toity...
say What?!
Where from'?
Kiga. We're evacuating to Kassaka.
That's...
That's amazing!
Come on in and take a load off!
17 hours...
Well, lucky we made it.
And this lady is...?
My mother. She can't walk.
You poor dear! I'll get some help.
Yaeko! Yoshiko! We have guests!
Coming.
May I use some of your water first?
Yes, of course.
There's a well around there.
Thank you.
Which room'?
It's on the 2nd floor.
Shall I help you'?
No, it'll be quicker if I do it.
Toshio, take off my shoes.
Thank you.
There you go.
After you.
It's that way
This way
Nearly there.
Almost there.
It's on the left.
He's a stubborn one alright!
- Welcome. - Welcome.
Thanks. Nice to meet ya.
I walked all the way from Kiga.
You must be exhausted!
No way! It ain't a big deal!
No, no! That's a big deal.
Well, the pass was a bit tiring,
but your faces make me feel better.
This is your parents' inn'?
You're cute.
No, we're not!
Smooth talker.
I speak nothing but the truth!
Maybe it was a stroke.
Mother was staying with him.
She collapsed during the first air raid
on Tokyo in November last year.
She was resting at Keisuke's,
and in March they were forced to evacuate, so she moved back home.
So, you were in Tokyo.
I thought you seemed different.
Mother hurry! November 29th, 1944
Mother'?
You hear me'?
Mother'?
A doctor!
It might seem odd for me
to say this,
but our parents,
they're both fine upstanding people.
They worked so hard to open a store,
and ran an honest business.
They woke up earlier than anyone else every morning and worked long hours.
We grew up wanting for nothing.
I've never met anyone
with more integrity than our parents.
No wonder you're so dutiful to them, being raised by parents like that.
Mine just never shut up,
so I don't feel that way about them.
Even so,
I was mightly impressed by your resolve.
Yeah, that was quite something.
For someone so sickly-looking'?
Huh'? You heard that?
There's no trolley upriver today
There's one tomorrow,
so I got us some seats.
Tomorrow?
They'll worry but that's too bad.
The Suzukis have no phone, so that's that.
Er...
So it's alright if I leave you here'?
Well,
we'd appreciate you coming to Kassaka. There's our luggage.
You want me to hang around until tomorrow'?
Gimme a break! I'm heading back today!
I'll pay you extra.
You'd be doing us a favor.
No way
Toshio, it's alright.
We'll manage.
Really?
Right, so this is as far as you go.
I'll pay you now.
Good morning!
We'll hang your futons.
You're leaving today?
Well, actually...
Plan's changed. We'll stay another night.
I see.
Yes, but this guy...
Hey I'm coming too! As far as Kassaka was our deal!
Oh, hey forget about that.
We'll do it.
No, I will.
- Be careful, sir. - Here'?
Over here.
Nah, forget it. I'll take care of it!
He)"
Are you really going
to quit directing, just like that?
They want you to stay on, right'?
You should go back.
There's no point.
You were doing what you love,
your films made people happy
and now you just up and quit?
Truth be told, I'm envious of you.
I liked writing,
but I could never make a living from it.
That's why I help with the family business.
But you,
your dream came true.
How can you let go of it so easily?
There are no dreams
left in this country
I'll stay with Mother.
Go outside for a while and get some fresh air.
Cheer yourself up.
Just for a while.
It's fine, really!
Let me, let me!
Don't dawdle.
Let's finish up and go have some fun!
Ain't no trolley today and I'm free.
I need your company!
But we've got another chores!
You're a guest, Mother will scold us!
Don't give me that!
Just ditch your work!
- Ah! - Be careful!
Your ma'll never know!
We can't!
Teacher!
Will you see them off too'?
I will.
Let's go together!
Let's go! Let's go!
Gallantly we pledge victory
As we set off from our hometown
Let us die a humble death
Everytime we hear the bugle's call
Ow, ow! I hurt all over!
I got tired of chatting up those girls at the inn.
They're still wet behind the ears!
So their mother caught you'?
Huh?
How'd you know?
Never mind. So I went out for a walk
and spotted this lonely-looking fella.
You know, you're an odd one.
Always fretting over something.
Being out of work'll do that to you.
Keep your chin up.
You'll come right.
Were you in the war'?
I was.
Where'?
China. Central China.
I guess it'll be my turn soon.
Maybe a draft notice is waiting for me back home...
"Defend the homeland", huh'?
When I
look at this view,
I wonder where the war is.
People fight wars like crazy
but mountains and rivers don't care.
When you worked at the movie theater,
did you see "The Army"?
Well...
At the end, a mother sees her son off to war.
Kinuyo Tanaka was the mother.
She stays home so she won't cry
but when she hears the marching bugle,
it's too much for her and she heads out.
Ah, Shintaro!
The End
Finally as her son marches away
the mother,
puts her hands together like this.
Boy did I cry!
It made me think how my ma will feel when I go off to war.
Hey what's up with you'?
Was what I said that moving'?
I'm sure your mother will feel the same.
There you go again!
Tokyo folks sure are different.
When I went off to war,
my brother walked alongside me.
I saw mothers praying for the marching troops.
And yet...
the military calls that unmanly!
No mother wants
their son to die valiantly!
Hey you don't want to be heard saying that.
Better give it a rest.
But you know,
I guess that's what
"The Army" was trying to say
I'd like to see
more movies like that.
You're an oddball alright.
You helped a great deal.
I'll be back to pay thanks.
You've been so good to us.
Hey we're innkeepers.
It's the least we could do.
Please come stay with us again.
We hope you get well soon.
Thank you.
Farewell.
Take care!
Well done.
Yasuko! Come here!
Father, don't stand there!
Come and help them!
- Grandma! - Mother!
Mother!
Are you alright? We were worried!
What happened?
No trolley yesterday
Oh dear.
- Toshio, well done. - Hm.
Thank you too.
Cheers.
Hey let me take that.
They're married.
Their husbands are at war.
Oh, that's tough.
You can carry this.
I thought
you'd never make it,
but you pulled it off.
Unbelievable.
It was difficult,
just as you said.
Well done. Get some rest.
Mother, you alright?
Mother, you must be tired.
Here she is, Yasuko.
This much'?
You were a great help.
Thanks.
I accept it gratefully
In exchange, please let my wife know
I'll be back tomorrow.
Sure! No sweat!
Won't you get back late?
I'm traveling light. After the pass, it's easy
Why not stay at that inn'?
Very funny!
My folks worry too! I'll race home!
Ma' am'.!
I'm off!
Take good care of yourself!
She says sorry for your trouble.
Trouble? What trouble!
When I get back,
I'll be sure to treat my ma better.
See you 'round!
If you can't find a job,
come work with me.
Try being a handyman. You've got the guts for it.
Thanks. I might take you up on that.
I'm outta here.
May I be excused'?
Funny guy.
But we never asked his name.
Now you mention it...
we didn't.
How about the "curry rice handyman"?
I like it.
Yasuko, don't get in the way!
What'?
What is it'?
1 want to see more films from Keisuke Kinoshita.
I'm very happy
that you're here by my side.
Even so, I have a feeling that isn't where you should be.
'(our father, Sakuyo, and Yoshiko are all here.
So you can rest assured and go back to making films.
You might not be able to make the films you want to right now.
However,
the war won't go on forever.
A time will come
when you can make what you want.
Become Keisuke Kinoshita again.
Keep making films.
That would make me the happiest.
You... b-became...
a movie director... after all.
You ran away from home...
Found a job at a studio at last...
It was so hard...
you kept saying
you wanted to quit...
But in the end,
you made it through.
The handyman said
he cried when he watched "The Army".
He wanted to see more films like it.
P-People...
want to... see your films.
After I quit,
all I thought about
was movies.
Though I'd wanted to go away
What about this story
and that story
That's all I thought about.
And they're all stories
I can't make right now.
A young couple riding a wagon on a tranquil farm.
They sing,
and then a rival in love appears...
There's no way I could film that now...
It drives me to tears.
Do you remember'?
The time you shot, "The Port of Flowers"?
1943, early summer
Kinoshita home, Hamamatsu
What's this? Kinoshita home, Hamamatsu
We're praying to God
so that the weather stays fine,
and your shoot goes well.
Director!
Director Keisuke Kinoshita!
That's right!
You're not Shokichi, you're director Keisuke Kinoshita.
Make wonderful films.
We're all behind you.
I'm proud of you.
I was...
I was truly moved.
That was only two years ago.
I was so happy then...
Don't f-forget that.
Soon after, Kinoshita returned to Shochiku,
Japan surrendered unconditionally and the war ended.
Kinoshita resumed directing.
Three years later,
in October of 1948, his mother Tama passed away.
Kinoshita was filming in Kyoto and was notable to be with her.
The Girl I Loved (1946)
Here's to the Young Lady (1949)
Broken Drum (1949)
Carmen Comes Home (1951)
Tragedy of Japan (1953)
Twenty-Four Eyes (1954)
You Were Like a Wild Chrysanthemum (1955)
Times of Joy and Sorrow (1957)
The Ballad of Narayama (1958) '
The River Fuefuki (1960)
Immortal Love (1961)
The Scent of Incense (1964)
Big Joys, Small Sorrows (1986)
JAPAN COAST GUARD PARADE
Thank god his ship's not bound for war.
Cast:
Ryo Kase
Yusuke Santamaria
Gaku Hamada
Shigeru saiki
Ken Mitsuishi Mari Hamada
Ren Osugi Aoi Miyazaki
Yuko Tanaka
The mountain road that the Kinoshitas traveled
The Sawada-ya Inn and the Okamoto Family
The room where the Kinoshitas stayed
The remaining site of the Keta Forest Railroad trolley line
The Suzuki home in Kassaka where the Kinoshitas took refuge
The Suzuki family
Written and Directed by: Keiichi Hara