FLOATING CLOUDS
Produced by Masumi Fujimoto
From a story by Fumiko Hayashi
Scenario: Yoko Mizuki
Photography: Masao Tamai. Music: Ichiro Saito
Film editing: Hideshi Ohi
Leading players
Hideko Takamine
Masayuki Mori
Mariko Okada
Directed by Mikio Naruse
Early winter, 1946. Repatriates from French Indo-China
Kengo Tomioka
Is Mr. Tomioka in?
Who are you?
I'm from the Forestry Department
I have a message for him
A message?
Cold, isn't it, compared to Indo-China?
Why didn't you reply to my telegram?
I expected you here
--You've left the office? --Yes
--Why? --I hate being a bureaucrat
--What do you do now? --I'm in the timber business
Is that old lady your mother?
You do look alike
Where do you live?
I went to my relatives
They still live in the country, but they've kept the house in Tokyo
Some things are there
I helped myself to this scarf, because I have no winter clothes
Wait here. I'll get changed
Come in, Miss Koda
You must be tired
Didn't you meet her in Saigon? You stayed in the same hotel
She's a typist
Haven't you met?
This is Tomioka; he's a Forestry man, too...
...transferred from Borneo three months ago
I'm Yukiko
Were things tough in Japan?
It's a paradise here in Dalat
Our mission is peace, forestry administration, not fighting
I must go to the quinine garden. Please check this
He doesn't say much
He's very nice, really
He writes to his wife every three days, sending presents
He has a strong sense of responsibility
How things have changed
More than I expected
What did you expect? We lost the war
--I'm a helpless repatriate --Like many others
--Men are lucky --Women have fewer worries
You're from Chida, aren't you?
Definitely not
You're not?
I was wrong. Where from, then?
Tokyo
Never, you're not the type
You're more like a...
A country girl? An insult
He has a sharp tongue, take no notice of that
From Tokyo... I didn't think you had a Tokyo accent
How old are you?
I won't say
Twenty-four?
No, twenty-two. Are you deliderately insulting me?
Twenty-two?
You look older. That means you're not stupid
She's come all the way from Japan. Let's drink to her health
She's offended
Just stuck-up
What did she come here for?
I like this place
She's not your type
I miss the company of girls, so I study aromatic trees
It's an escape
Tell me, what shall I do today?
Didn't the chief tell you?
He went out without saying
What about Kano?
He's still in his room
Tell me what to do
Visit the tomb of an Annamite king that's nearby
Were you angry?
About what?
What I said last night
I wonder why you left Japan to come here
Tired?
I like walking in the woods, it helps me sleep
I couldn't sleep last night
I don't like Mr. Kano
He got drunk and came to my room last night
I was afraid
I remember many things
When we went to Chendou
It was the chief and a major, I forget his name, and you
You called me out and told me to come along
We spent the night in a hotel, under an oil lamp
We ate and had a few drinks
We often had drinks then
Your room was down the corridor
After midnight I went to your room, barefoot
The door wasn't locked
That was our first night
Now I'm here and I don't know what to do
Please, do something
Do whatever you like with me
You must forget the past
For us, the past is the only reality
Without it, where would we be?
I wish I hadn't seen your wife
She looked at me as though I were unclean
Why the gold front tooth?
Her smile gave me the creeps
--She's much older than me --What of it?
This will tide you over until you get a job
I don't want it
Are you turning away from me?
I came back to live with you
I don't want to hurt you any more
What we shared then was a dream
You may not like it...
...but everything's different now
My wife has suffered enough
She kept a home for me throughout the war
I can't walk out on her
Try to understand
No. You talk about your conscience, but you don't care a bit about me
You're tired. Think of your future
If you love your wife, why did you betray her?
I have nothing against her...
...but you said you'd get a divorce and marry me
Why didn't you tell her everything?
You said you'd do anything for me
Now you just want to get rid of me
You've let me down
Why are you crying?
You've changed since you came back
I'm trying to make a go of my business
I need money
I must sell this house to raise some
The price of timber is soaring
Is that why you stay out?
Any objection?
You're quick to take offence
Because you don't trust me
Perhaps you want to get rid of me
You'll feel much more secure when we're rich
If you don't trust me, come with me
English is essential; our business is with Americans
Try elsewhere
She's been here?
That's all right, isn't it?
She said her sister married your brother
Isn't that right?
Yukiko
When did you come to Tokyo?
Why didn't you go home to Shizuoka?
I borrowed your scarf
You live in this area, don't you?
Who told you?
I was told that you had ''borrowed'' bedding
I can easily check what's missing
Why did you do it?
I thought you'd understand. I sold them
And I bought this
Where do you live?
In a storeroom; there's nothing to sell
I came to Tokyo to get married
Who is he? What does he do?
He worked with me in Dalat, Indo-China
How old is he?
Younger than you. I've given him up
He's married
He fooled you
Not exactly. Things can't be the same after a war
Have you a job?
I can't find one
I left the bank and went to the country
Now the war's over I'm coming back, to set out on my own
I'll stay a few days, looking for an opening
Come to my house, it's more comfortable than a storeroom
Are you afraid?
I've been worried since you went to Indo-China
I wondered if you'd return
Thank you
I went to Indo-China to forget
You raped me when I went to the house to help my sister
If you resent me selling your things...
...I have a better right to resent what you did to me
You've learned much in Indo-China
Hostesses wanted
What are you doing here?
Where are you going?
Are you alone?
It's you
You live in style
Do you think so? Anyway, this is my palace
I just came back
--Did you get my letter? --Yes, or else I wouldn't be here
Make yourself at home
You look happy
Do I? At least I'm not starving
I envy you
Why? The life I lead... what is there to envy?
I'm sorry
When you're miserable, you begin to envy others
You're miserable. How do you think I feel?
You think only of yourself
How's business?
I'm selling my house
I'll stake everything
--What about your family? --They'll go to the country
If I lose this battle, I'll lose everything
It must be hard
You don't care
Anyway, I'm glad that you're doing all right
Are you being sarcastic?
Maybe this isn't needed
I wanted to help you
It's too late
We should have stayed in Dalat, you and I
Are you in, Yukiko?
I bought wine for you
Am I in the way?
No, I sent him off
Where did you meet him?
Why ask?
He's lonely, just as you were in Indo-China
Joe is nice. He even taught me a poem, Forget-me-not
Darling, the flower has faded
But once it glowed in a bright hue
A reminder of the happiness I shared with you
He's nice, but he leaves for home in two months
Find another, then
How very like you
I met him when I was desperate
Drink up
May I stay the night?
Isn't that why you came?
That's right
Liar! You suddenly felt like staying. I know
I know you
I know too much about you
You think you can fool me any time. Well, you can't
What have you done for me? Nothing
You think only of yourself, you parasite. I despise you
And you're a strong, independent woman
You can't do anything for me
If you can't live with me, let me go my own way, leave me alone
All right...
...but can't I visit you sometimes?
I hate that
Do I hurt your business?
You said it at last
Wait here
I didn't expect you back so soon
I thought as much. I hear you're a G.I.'s girl
I've come for my bedding. Several kimonos were missing, too
This is fancy
I'll settle for this
That's not mine
You humiliated me. Now you want your bedding
Your necessities, eh?
You're doing all right
Can't you get a supply of American goods?
If you can, you may keep the bedding
Maybe I can patent this design in Japan
Do you know anyone who would buy potatoes?
Take them and get out!
There's no hurry
Take everything
Arise ye starvlings from your slumbers!
--Have you been waiting long? --I thought I'd have to write
What do you want?
We quarrelled last time; I want to make amends
--You look busted --Don't use such a horrible word
I've picked up lots of such words
You speak sadly, but you look happy
Oh, no. Do I?
That's a shame, because I'm not happy
Where are we going?
How about Shiduya?
We have nowhere to go, have we?
Perhaps
How about a little trip with me?
Tomioka. All the best
Just come to see me when you remember Dalat
That's all I want; visit me sometimes and I'll be happy
I like it like that
What are you thinking about? Are you at the end of your tether?
You're right, at the end of my tether
How would you like to die?
Let me see... how about cyanide?
But if you have no cyanide?
When you want to kill yourself...
...you just do it, you don't care how
I thought I'd die with you in the mountains
Funny, that's what I thought the other day
Have you brought me here to die?
This is nice, isn't it?
I want you to live a little longer
Let's stay on for the New Year
If you need money, you can pawn my coat
We'll leave tomorrow
Then we won't die in the mountains?
You aren't pretty enough to die with
We once visited the Japanese graveyard near Tourane
--What was the name of the town? --Hei?
What a lovely town
Talking of those days bores me
Indulging in old memories can't revive the passion we shared
I loved my wife once, but not any more
I've lost everything, even my soul
So you have, but don't worry, I can take care of myself
Let's leave today
How much do you want for this?
I hate to sell it, but I've stayed too long
Do you know a watch-dealer?
Well, it's a nice watch...
I bought it in the south
I was in the navy, based in Borneo
I was in Indo-China, I was luckier
I'm sure you were
I've been wanting a watch like this
It ticks very nicely
Well, watch-dealers are crafty
--Do you know anyone else? --I'll buy it for 10,000 yen
I like this watch. How about it?
All right, it's a deal
Osei
Bring saké
--Are you an artist? --I'm in the timber business
My old card
So you were a government official. I was a fishmonger in Tokyo
My new wife didn't like that, so now we're here
Let's celebrate the New Year
Maybe you think she's too young for me, but I love her. Fate joined us
You know what? You can't fight fate
What is the time?
Let's close up, you can go
He insists we stay for a few days
He's very hospitable, isn't he?
Shall we?
As he says: you can't fight fate
Here we are
Apples, oranges... there are more
And peanuts
Go on, this is New Year. Fate has joined us
We've been wanting to move to Tokyo, but you can't fight fate
Have you tasted the fruits of the south? The durians?
The mangosteens?
I'd like a bath
I'll show you the way
How about you?
No, thank you, I've bathed twice today
Walk carefully
We use the bathroom at an inn
--How long have you been here? --Two years
I can't wait to escape, I want to live in Tokyo
--Is business bad? --Terrible. This is a summer resort
He wants to sell fish in Tokyo again
I hate the idea. I want to be a dancer
That geisha we saw is teaching me dancing
But Daddy doesn't like it
--Daddy? --My husband
Going to the bath?
I'll go with you
Take me along
I'm not going
I don't understand; is she in love with you?
She gave you the eye
You always play the innocent...
...but you're a fast worker
Don't be silly
--She excites you, doesn't she? --She doesn't
Anyway, she's very attentive
Is she? How about staying a few more days?
Not a bad idea
That's funny, who packed your things? Only yours
I don't know
New shorts. Where are the old ones?
--What's wrong? --Nothing
Are you still suspicious?
--Let's go for a walk --No, it's chilly
I'm a nervous wreck, I feel so empty
It's cold out here. Anyway, I'm leaving
What do you mean? We leave together
I know you too well
Forget it, it doesn't matter
Happy New Year!
No more wine?
Still gloomy?
This is my only true love
You're a monster
You love no one but yourself
That's why I want to live
You need courage to kill yourself
You're impossible, yet people think well of you
Really you're a braggart and a coward
Everything that you do is for show
That's not all. What else?
Everything which is cunning in a man
You know your way with women, but not with business
But I still have a future, remember
Who says I won't end up a millionaire?
We're still alive. Let's drink to it
That woman, Osei, was crying when we left
Do you miss her? Then go and see her
All right, I will
--So you do love her --Yes, I do
--I'm not stopping you --It's too late now
Don't lust after what is not yours
We're all alone. I go my way, you go yours
I feel ill
She kept to her bed yesterday, saying she was ill
Don't you know where she is?
No, and I didn't see any other girls coming to see her
Her name is Osei. Where can she be, if not here?
Anyway, this shed will be torn down soon
I got the man's card, I went to his place, but he'd moved to the country
Kinsaku Ohta
When did they move?
Last month, but Tomioka still lives in Tokyo
There's a postcard from him
--Where does Takase live? --At the end of the hall
--What are you doing here? --I live here
--And Tomioka? --He's not in
I'll wait until he comes back
But he's gone back to his wife
He went yesterday. He won't be back for a while, his wife is ill
That's all right, I'm ill, too
Let me rest here until he comes back
How long have you been with him?
I live here alone
He has no other place to go to. When he stays here...
...I go to my friend's room
No other place
So he comes here?
What about your husband in Ikaho?
I left him
Everything is settled, isn't it?
Does a man live here?
Does he come home every night?
About what time?
I don't know
When did you come?
I saw Osei
Let me explain
I've been worried about you, but...
That's all right
Did you find a job?
I could shine shoes, but I shouldn't work in the cold
Are you ill? I'll find you a good job
You think I'm horrible
The day we returned from Ikaho...
You meant to make it our last day. I know
I shouldn't have been looking for you
You didn't tell me where you lived
I was desperate. No job, my wife in hospital...
...then I met Osei by accident
She insisted on my coming here
It's all right. I'll deal with my baby myself
I've made my decision
Baby?
Don't think of doing anything foolish
I can take care of this baby
I want to have this baby
We never had a child and I want you to have it
Osei still hasn't left her husband
I hate hiding from people in that room
Osei works as a barmaid
I can't face her husband; the guilt tortures me
In time you'll be happy with her
She's your reality
I'm just a memory, and memory fades quickly...
...and is forgotten... that's how it is
I still dream about you and our days in Indo-China
Now I know how much I have lost
What's wrong with your wife? Her lungs?
Things are bad
At least you have a job
It's not much of a job
But there's not much work to it, either
--Are you tired? --No; my athlete's foot is hurting
Walking together, we look like husband and wife
I don't mind. Do you?
I'll see you next Sunday
Don't do anything rash before then
I'll be finished with Osei by then
Don't talk like an innocent child
I'll get by
House of the Sun God
You have a visitor, Reverend
Remember, the Sun God helps only those who believe in Him...
...whether they be good or evil
Breathe. The air is full of ether
The Sun is sending...
...all-curing ether to me
Man is mortal, but believers in the Sun are not
Oh, Mighty Sun! Bestow Thy mercy upon the sick!
Do you feel free of your burdens?
Yes, Master. Like a new man
Visit us regularly for the treatment
We do not claim that we can cure any disease instantly
Those who seek the cure must show their patience
Please accept my gratitude
What a juicy business, Ida
The world is full of suckers
Just make them believe, and their money will be ours
We sell them what they can't get otherwise, that's all
Who started this?
A friend of mine, an ex-staff officer
It's his idea and I'm his partner
It's as easy as sorting-out new recruits
Do you smoke?
You look tired
Did you get my letter?
Maybe your ''treatment'' is what I need
Do you need money?
Has he left you?
I was a fool to have trusted him
I'll look after you. After all, we're not exactly strangers
I'll even buy you a house
You look worn out
If I had your easy life, then I'd look fine, Ida
I feel so cold
Is it a reaction?
Lie down and rest
Jealous husband kills barmaid
Caught in the act
Tomioka, the lover, was once a government official
While I was a Forestry official...
...I spent four years in French Indo-China
Your wife is dying. We need money
Are you all right?
What about you? You should stay in bed
I can't afford to
I'm all right now
I got your money
I wish it was more, but I'm out of work
When I got your letter about the baby I was in a mess
I read about it in the paper
Serves me right, is that it?
Please leave me alone
You still love Osei
What I did was right
You wanted a child. I knew otherwise
In truth, you feel relieved, don't you?
Now you can pretend you had no part in it...
...and put all the blame on me
You killed Osei
You didn't care how I endured the pain
The whole thing nearly killed me
You wouldn't care if I was dead
In Ikaho, you wanted to die with me
If I had agreed, you would have run away
I'm the one to blame
No one else. You knew me too well. Why don't you give up?
Why don't we forget each other?
You say that because you still love Osei
She haunts you
Not so loud, people might hear
--Forget Osei, she's dead --No, she's alive
Alive in you. That's why you still live here
I'm sorry for her husband, that's all
I'm trying to get a lawyer for him
You just don't understand
If I could talk to Osei now...
...I'd tell her you'd be mine for ever
Are you going?
Get well soon
I was sent to bring you the bill
It doesn't include yesterday's
What's the matter? Who is she?
Does Mr. Ida live here?
Is Miss Yukiko Koda in?
A visitor for you, Yukiko
This is a surprise
What's wrong with your eye?
It's only a sty
It's cold. Get warm
You have changed
--You look younger --Do I?
Young and carefree?
Where is Ida?
Out on a ''job''
Are you alone?
I have a maid in the daytime
I'm treasurer of the House of the Sun God. It bores me
My wife died yesterday
Your wife? Dead?
It was tuberculosis
If I had enough money, I could have saved her
What about the funeral?
I need money for that
Could you lend me some?
How much?
20,000 yen will do. I hate to ask you
Is 20,000 enough?
Won't you stay for lunch?
I must be going
I must see the undertaker
I'm going out. I'll come with you
Now that you are alone, what will you do?
I have no idea. I'm broke
I don't know when I can repay you
I'm not thinking of that
Do you still live in that room?
I want to see you again. Alone
First I must find a job
I asked some of my friends, but I'm a little too old
You've come far enough
What are you doing here?
Is the funeral over?
A woman told me about it
A woman?
She was very pretty and well-dressed
What did she say?
She asked what I am to you. I just smiled at her
I think she was upset
So I threw myself on this bed
You're a bad girl
--You have work to do --I came to bring your bar bill
What else did she say?
I hate her. She looked around and kept asking if I lived here
I said yes. She won't come back
You're impossible
Then why did you kiss me when you were drunk?
I'm busy. Please go
Have a bath, if you like
I want to send a telegram
Is this urgent?
You have a visitor
What do you mean, ''Come or I'll die''?
--When did you come here? --Last night. Were you surprised?
My neighbours were. How many telegrams did you send?
I've just sent another. I miss you terribly
I want to talk to you. I've left Ida
I couldn't stand him any more
I've committed a crime
I've stolen 300,000 yen from the House of the Sun God
You'll be arrested
They won't report it to the police
If they do, the police will find out about their dirty work
They're worse than embezzlers
If Ida sells my house, he'll get more than 300,000 yen for it
Money comes easy for them, anyway
It certainly does
Will you change?
We've lived a long time since Ikaho, haven't we?
Perhaps too long
I thought you were enjoying life
I'm thinking of Osei, the dead woman
You can't forget her, can you? I know
Did you call me to talk about her?
I'm leaving tomorrow
You're selfish
Why? We can't go on living like this
We won't get anywhere by living off the money you've stolen
Must we get anywhere? We might have been dead in Ikaho
We can die any time
You feel like dying. I don't
Don't you care about me?
Are you angry because I lived with Ida?
I'm not angry, I just don't care
All right, I'll die alone
I changed my mind
I'm glad you did
I will live... by myself
You can fool around with girls
I read Bel Ami in Hanoi; you remind me of its hero
He's a poor man and he fools girls, so they help him to succeed
You fool girls for nothing
Why don't you fool men?
I love you, but we can't live like this
You can go back to Ida... or find a job somewhere
Our romance died when the war ended
We're too old to live on dreams
I haven't told you, I've got a job
I must leave in a week
Where to?
An island called Yakushima, south of Kyushu
That's very far away, isn't it?
I'll be the forest ranger
I may come back in a few years, or not at all
Are you going?
Yes. This morning
Must you?
And you?
Where can I go?
I have no place
Cheer up
Take me with you
Don't go away and leave me here. I won't let you
I must
You'll leave me and go to that island, with that girl
I saw her in your room
You're wrong about her
You fooled around with her, didn't you?
Nonsense
If she's not your girl, take me with you
Go back to Ida. That's the best thing for you to do
If I could go back to him, I wouldn't have left him
Don't you understand? I left him because I can't live without you
You let me down
You still love Osei
Take the money, spend it however you like
I don't want anything
The train leaves in an hour
Why don't you go back to office work? I can help you
Try to start all over again
Then you'll find the right man some day
A Mr. Ida was here
He left his card. He said it was very important
He'll come back
I must see you soon. Please give me a call
Agriculture magazine? The editor, please
Tomioka speaking. I understand you're using my article. Thank you
I'm leaving for Yakushima right away
It's rather sudden, but I must
Ida was here
When? How did he get the address?
He asked the magazine
I'm leaving soon
Take me along. After a month or two I'll leave the island
Please. Just for a month or two
Then I won't trouble you any more
When does the boat leave?
It won't leave until the storm dies down
We've come a long way
Still, there a full day's voyage from here
We'll stay there for years
Alone, I could never make it
You want to go back?
Certainly not
Things will be rough
Not as long as I have you
I can't live without you
That's my trouble
It's not that
You'll be better off with me on the island
If I can't live there, I'll stay here, working at an inn
That's being a woman
Even if you throw me out, I've got to live somewhere or other
I'm not throwing you out
No boat for two days
Did you tell anyone about Yakushima?
Are you still afraid of Ida?
He might set the police on us
Madam, will you take a bath?
Madam. You are my lady
It's cold
Perhaps you've caught a cold
--I'm shivering --But you're not feverish
Go to bed
--You'll leave me behind --I won't
Is your lady feeling better?
The boat leaves at ten
How do you feel?
You look much better
We'll take the next boat, don't worry. Have a good rest
You'll be all right
Are you going without me?
Don't talk nonsense, how could I?
We could have been at sea by now
Was it rough?
Will we leave the day after tomorrow?
It's sour
There's no doctor on Yakushima
And they say it rains almost every day
I'm worried
If I can't stand the voyage, leave me on an island on the way
You mustn't be late
You'd be far better off here
You can go to hospital, or stay in a cheaper hotel
The doctor suggests having an X-ray
Please keep me informed of her condition
It's too damp out there
If I need you doctor...
I'll come any time
Make sure she has a good rest
An injection every four hours
You must be tired
It rains almost every day, sometimes it rains for a month
She will do the chores
Want cough syrup?
--Another injection? --Is the pain less?
At least you'll be here when I die
You won't die. You didn't come here to die
I made it at last, didn't I?
When you're a little better, go back to Tokyo
You can do anything there; this is not the place for you
I must stay in the mountains for weeks
It's a lovely day
We seldom have such a fine day
Everything's lovely and bright
How do you feel?
Much better
The rain has stopped. I must be going
Take good care of yourself
Can't I come along?
Don't be foolish
You'll be happy if I leave
I will. There are women everywhere
No matter how good she is, a woman is a woman
You're talkative. You must be feeling fine this morning
There are women everywhere... that's a nasty thing to say
If you don't like that...
...get well quickly and conquer every man with your charm
You're impossible
I know you have a biting tongue
Some women would resent it
I didn't know there were any other women
My apologies
Report her condition to the doctor every day
Will it ever stop?
Your wife is dying
When did it start?
Was no one here?
Please leave us alone
My condolences
Yukiko
The life of a flower is so brief, Yet it must suffer much grief