[birds chirping]
[children playing]
[music playing]
Mas, I thought that was a new bike.
It is.
I'm making improvements.
[horn honks]
It's Dad!
WOMAN: He bought it.
Nice car, Dad.
How do you like it? MAN: I like it.
WOMAN: It's beautiful.
We'll get that fixed, hm.
New tires too.
OK, Mas, start it up.
He can't drive.
FATHER: It's not difficult.Sister, I'll teach him.
It's about time.
NEWSCASTER [ON RADIO]: Shigemitsu assured him
that Japan does not intend to attack
the British empire anywhere.
However, here in Vancouver,and in the lower mainland,
the RCMP are ordering allpeople of Japanese race
to register with their localdetachment as soon as possible.
This includes all those born in Canada.
Vancouver RCMP urge cooperation,stressing that loyal citizens
have nothing to fear.
[typewriter clacking]
OFFICER 1: Attention!
[phone ringing]
OFFICER 2: Sir.
Thank you, sir.
[dog barking]
Come on, hurry, honey.
The boat's leaving.
Me and Pooky found you some silver.
Oh, boy, we're rich!
Come on, let's go.
Here.
Let's get up on the wagon.
Come on.
Get up.
Oh, my goodness, my moustache.
Here it is.
Why can't they find a guy to play this role?
Oh, every year thisparade gets more pathetic.
So do Mabel Tibbits' hats.
[laughing]
Hey, sweetie, you look terrific!
Remember when we were on that float?
Oh, yeah.
And look what's become of us.- Yeah?
Well, at least you don't have facial hair.
I'm proud of you.
You ready, Madam Mayor? - Yes, yes.
Go.
Come on.
Up you get, sweetie.
Oh, Ed, behave yourself.
And keep an eye on your brother,one eye and three sheets
to the wind. [whistle blows]
My, my.
OK, Let's go, girls.
Jigger, lay off the sauce oryou're gonna end up in a ditch.
You guys all look great.
You ready?
Ready?
OK.
Band, everybody.
Some things never change.
Except for the worse.
[MUSIC - "WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN"]
[birds chirping]
Oh.
Listen to this.
"The Chinese expression is likely to be
more placid, kindly, and open.
The Japanese are more ruthless,dogmatic, and arrogant."
There was a Chinaman here when I was a girl.
He was a good cook.
Mary Jean, where is your hat?
In the shack, I think.
Me and Pooky picked it all up in there.
What have you been eating?
Chocolate pudding with ice cream.
Mud with snow.
You're gonna be sick.
It's your father.
Mary Jean, you go upstairs and change
quick before you catch a cold.
[pot lid rattling]
Oh, no. Blasted!
Now what? - Oh, good.
I hate that venison stew.
Well, I hope you like porridge.
We'll all be eating mud at this rate.
Brrr.
Come on in, fellas.
Go on through there.
I'll be in in a minute.
Hello, John.
JOHN: Hi, Peg.
Rob, Bill.
BILL: Hiya, Peg.
Ed, not again.
I figured we could use some cheering up.
Well, why can't you cheer up someplace else?
And what are you doing home so early anyway?
Oh, no.
No.
Yeah.
All of us, as of Friday, out of work.
The mine's shutting down indefinitely.
Excuse me.
[clock chiming]
Hm.
Aya, what do you think, huh?
This one or this one?
Hm?
That one.
It's a nice idea, Papa.
Mama will love it.
[phone ringing]
Hello, Kawashima Boat Works.
Aye.
Papa, [japanese].
Mm.
[japanese] Eh?
Eh?
Pearl Harbor?
Japan attacked the United States.
AYA: Oh, no.
NEWSCASTER [ON RADIO]: Canadahas declared that a state
of war exists with Japan.
Here in Vancouver, ablackout will be enforced.
Starting tonight, all householders
must see that no lightshines from their residences
into the street, and motorists are advised
to get home before dark.
Headlights are to be blinded, and citizens
are urged not to use the telephone,
except for emergencies.
[bird cawing]
Come on, let's go.
Good morning.
Did you see the sale on tea towels?
[bell rings]
Oh, Mr. Smyles.
Um-- I'm going to need this on credit, just
until the end of the month.
Ed hasn't ponied up since last month.
Well--
What the hell is this?
What do you got their, Joe?
Oh, the stupid buggers.
They round them all up on the coast, put them
in those Vancouver[inaudible],, and now they don't
know what to do with them.
What's he talking about?
The Japs.
They figured they'd put them out here
where there aren't any people.
Jeez.
Look at all those boats.
PEG: Confiscated?
What are they going to do with them?
What are Japs, Mom?
Thank you.
SOLDIER: Nice car.
MRS. KAWASHIMA: [sighs]
[sighs]
[bell ringing in distance]
Absa-bloody-lutely not.
Now, these people are not dangerous.
The commission can assure you your safety.
Mr. McIntyre, don't you try and tell us
these Japs are just ordinary people.
Yeah.
If they're so friggingdocile, what's all the fuss?
Leave them on the coast.
TOM MCINTYRE: We're doing all of this
to protect them as much as anything.
Protect them from what?
Folks on the coast are nervous.
They're unpredictable.
We don't want any violence.
Violence?
Didn't you read the paper today?
Jap soldiers bayonet prisoners in the back.
They make captured officers shoot
themselves with their ownguns, for God's own sake.
Wait a minute.
We're not talking about Jap soldiers here.
Mr. McIntyre said it's old folks and kids.
Now, we've got a lot of buildings sitting idle.
We've got a lot of menthat can't make a living.
This may be an opportunity here. - Yes.
This is the government's position.
Now, your town can accommodate 400 people.
CROWD: 400?
Mr. McIntyre, you dorealize, we'd be outnumbered.
The government will upgrade the electricity
and put in a telephone service.
And about time, too.
And hire 50, 60 people at least.
WOMAN: Well, my husband could use a better job.
How long will these jobs last?
MAN: Yeah, that's a good question.
As I understand the economics of this area,
any job of any duration wouldlikely be an improvement.
The work required will besubstantial, quite substantial.
WOMAN: It sounds good.
BRITISH MAN: Don't try and tell me
you bunch can't use the money.
Pay a few bills, eh?
WOMAN: Hm.
MAN: Yeah.
[rooster crowing]
Well?
It looks like thebuggers are stuck with us.
Ed.
You mean you agreed?
I'm really tired of this subject.
Well, Ann said they carry diseases.
Yellow fever.
Just keep the girls away from them.
Ed, they'll be right in town.
All I can say is, I start work on Monday.
Work?
Mm-hm.
Full time?
Mm-hm.
Well, maybe we shouldn't looka gift horse in the mouth, huh?
Right.
Especially when it's comingat you ass backwards.
Ed.
[giggles]
Stop.
[airplane noise]
Your house will rent quickly.
I'll be looking after it.
I can't thank you enough, Mr. Stein.
We'll be back soon, eh, Papa?
Yeah.
[japanese]
It can't be helped?
Mama?
MAS: Why can't we take my bike?
Mama?
MAS: Let's just refuse to go.
Make a fuss.
[taunting yells]
BOY: Jappy, go home!
Go back where you came from!
Yo, slanty, go home!
NEWSCASTER [ON RADIO]: Warcame to the west coast today.
The Jap bombers andfighters twice raided the US
base of Dutch Harbor in Alaska.
Meanwhile, 22,000 Japanese arebeing moved hundreds of miles
away from the coast to the deep interior
where they will no longer be a threat
to the security of our nation.
Men between the ages ofseventeen and twenty-five
will be assigned to work campsand kept under surveillance.
Any acts of protest willbe dealt with by the RCMP.
Hey, Smitty.
How are you doing?
Nice day, huh?
- Go right through. - OK.
Here we go.
OFFICER: After you dropthem off, go on to Nelson
and meet the 5 o'clock train.
[dog barking]
[hawk screeching]
[indistinct conversations]
TOM MCINTYRE: Fajiyama.
Pogawa.
There's so many of them.
TRUCK DRIVER: Watch the bottom step, it's loose.
TOM MCINTYRE: Yamaki.
Ohama.
Yurakita.
Kajiyama.
Where's our luggage?
Probably in Timbuktu.
Well, let's look for it.
Come on, Mama.
It's here somewhere.
TOM MCINTYRE: Herakit?
Herakita.
Zukona.
[baby crying]
Sukiyama.
Morakami.
Excuse me.
I'm looking for something here.
Some of them speak English.
Oh.
TOM MCINTYRE: Amiguchi.
Do you speak English?
TOM MCINTYRE: Takiyuchi.
Go get him, yeah?
TOM MCINTYRE: Haminishi.
Haminishi.
Yoshiko?
Yoshiko, it's Aya.
Aya Kawashima.
Aya?
TOM MCINTYRE: Sehto.
Seeto.
Kawashima.
Why can't he ever rememberto chop the kindling?
[goose honking]
They'll be living in Pooky's house?
Come on.
Oh.
Missy, inside!
[cat yowls]
MAS: It's just a cat.
[wings flapping]
We can't live here.
Where should we go?
It's only for a few months.
[speaking japanese]
It's filthy.
Help me!
[lock clicks]
[church bell ringing]
MAN: Morning.
Did you see?
They are building a groupbathhouse for men and women
together.
I had no idea they'd be right next door.
[sighs]
But you have to admit, they dress well.
Oh, Mabel.
Well, thank goodness it's Sunday and we
can be with our own kind.
[coughing]
We welcome our new neighborsto the congregation of St.
Paul's.
I'm sure you will all be pleased to know
that we are now able tooffer weekly church services.
We are privileged to haveamong us Reverend Yamamoto.
He will minister to this parish for the time
that he is living here.
Please stand, Reverend.
MAN: What?
Now, if we could all turnour hymn books to hymn 721.
All rise, please.
Mrs. Parnum?
[MUSIC - "ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL"]
CONGREGATION: [SINGING] Allthings bright and beautiful.
I gotta go.So I'll come by this afternoon.
Bye. - Bye-bye.
Bye.
[TRADITIONAL JAPANESE MUSIC PLAYING]
There must be a gramophone.
Come on.
Hi, lady.
Why didn't you say hi to the lady, mom?
Shh.
Mary Jean, please.
Well, she looks very pretty.
Why didn't you say hi to her?
I think you should say hi.
[sawing]
She looks very nice.
Good day, Ma.
I think we should apply for assistance
if the house isn't rented soon.
Aya, we don't need assistance.
Hm?
Mr. Stein will find someone.
Don't worry.
But Papa, in the meantime,you're spending your savings.
It isn't fair.
MAS: She's right, Papa.
[yelling]
ED: Light!
PEG: Oh!
It's beautiful, the electricity!
ED: Now we can rent a gramophone.
[scoffs]
It looks like the savageshave discovered electricity.
ED: We've got lights.
We're gonna have Christmas lights.
And a radio!
[zapping]
PEG: Oh, Ed!
[laughter]
Oh, what happened?
One, two, three, and-- and that's four.
And there's something to drink over there.
Thank you.
So what do you want?
A telephone?
It's just over there.
Vancouver, 432.
BOY: Oh, hey, Dad, you got a nickel?
MAN: What? BOY: A nickel.
MAN: Oh, forget it.
BOY: Dad, come on. You promised.
I can't keep up.
I'm gonna have to hire somebody.
Mr. Stein, it's Aya.
Yes, we're-- we're fine.
Have you found a tenant for the--
Oh.
Well, I'd rather you--
Well, is the commission looking for a tenant?
I hope so, too.
They want us to be self-supporting, but--
Uh, it shouldn't sit empty too much longer.
No.
No, no, no.
Thank you, Mr. Stein.
We're very grateful.
You did your best.
Yes. Yes, we will.
You rang the till for yourDaddy every once in a while,
didn't you?
Once in a while.
I was just a kid.
Well, look, honey, Icould hire a couple of Japs.
I mean, they're cheap enough.
Two bits an hour.
But I'd rather have you on thetill, if you know what I mean.
Well, I don't know.
I have my hands full at home.
Fifty cents.
Telephone, fifty cents.
Fifty cents?
Smyles' store was so busy today, it looks
like he's gonna need some help.
Mm.
He offered me a job, andI think I'm gonna take it.
You don't need a job.
I make enough money.
Well, I thought wecould save something for--
Who's gonna look after the kids?
I've got that all figured out.
Don't worry.
You've got it all figured out.
So, this is an announcement.
I thought we were having a discussion.
I'll be in the shed ifyou need something fixed.
Ed!
Oh!
[knocking]
Hello.
Mrs. Parnum?
I'm Aya Kawashima.
Yes.
You live in the back.
I'm sorry, I will be having a visitor.
Perhaps there's been a misunderstanding,
but the commission sent me.
Oh.
Oh, my goodness.
Come in.
Please.
Your English is very good.
In fact, my parents often complain
about my poor Japanese.
Oh, really?
Well, this is headquarters.
Would you like a cup of tea while we chat?
Yes, that would be nice.
OK.
[chicken clucking]
Please, sit down.
Have you worked domestically before?
Yes.
I worked for a family inVancouver when I was younger.
Good.
I have to admit, I still haven't quite
mastered cooking with wood.
I seem to burn things or not cook them at all.
You're used to adifferent method of cooking?
Yes, we had a gas stove in Vancouver.
Oh, of course.
I hear they've been giving you green wood.
It doesn't burn as well.
But I guess they're doing the best they can.
Oh, I won't be here during the day,
so I'll need you to do dinners and suppers.
Can you cook?
What, uh--
Western style?
Yes.
Um-- I'll need you to perform basic
housekeeping duties and to lookout for my youngest, Mary Jean.
And I suppose I'd need youto do some of the shopping
and the gardening.
Goodness, it sounds like an awful lot.
I would expect to work for my wages.
I can start right away, if you'd like.
Well, I don't know how MaryJean is going to take this.
Oh, here she is now.
Oh, hello.
Mary Jane, this is--
Aya.
Would you like to hear a song I learned?
Oh, well, sure.
[SINGING] Leeloo was a friend of mine.
She would do it any time.
For a nickel or a dime.
Jean, where did you learn that?
Uncle Jig.
Wanna see my worms?
Um-- Yes, that would be fun.
Are they for fishing?
No.
They're for Pooky, my cat.
She's black and white.
She used to live in yourhouse, but now you live there.
AYA: I know her.
Aya Kawashima.
Aya,
The only other choice is to take assistance.
Papa doesn't like that andneither does the government.
I'm sure we'll get to all go back soon.
Mail.
Sally's in Tashme.
She says the Oda family's goneto sugar beets and somewhere.
It's hard to read.
[water boiling]
All right.
That's ready.
All right.
Jesus Christ, would you look at that.
It's a bit formal, isn't it?
Well, she was a maid before.
This must be how it's done.
JIG: Mm.
These carrots.
Mm.
Yorkshires.
Oh, fluffy.
Mom's are always flat.
She probably has a recipe froma different part of England.
Yeah, the flat part.
[laughter]
I may not know how to cook them,
but at least I know how to eat them.
Hey, Eddie, we really creamedthem at Midway, didn't we?
- Aye. - Yeah.
Whip nips.
PEG: Mary Jean.
Thank you very much, Jig.
What?
CHILDREN: [singing in japanese]
Hey, look at that one.
Herro. Herro.
Honorable old man-san.
[inaudible]
Mike, shut up.
What's the matter, Jap?
This is still our town, nibby.- That's right.
You can have it.
Oh, big shot.
What'd you say, chopstick?
Don't push your luck, kid.
BOY: Kill him, Spike.
MR. KAWASHIMA: [speaking japanese]
MARG: You deserved it, Spike- Jap lover.
Yeah.
Am not.
Are too.
McIntyre says they'reshipping in all families.
That, and the husbands come,and the young men, that brings
another couple of thousand.
A couple of thousand?
ED: Funny you didn't mention that before.
Better double my orders then.
Could you be quick with that?
I want to lock up.
They put them in tents.
They don't realize wintercomes in September around here.
I tried to tell them.
Look at this.
The old coot's making apile without even trying.
To bad the old man let this store go, Peg.
That'd be all your money now.
[chuckles]
Thanks for pointing out, Smyles.
Hi, Ann.
Hi.
Are you OK?
Oh, yeah.
Listen.
I have an idea, and-- and--and you just tell me no if you
think it's crazy, all right?
Now, I know you and [inaudible]had some money put away,
and it won't last forever.
And you being a widow now, you'll
have to look out for yourself.
And I think this idea is foolproof.
I think we should start a shop.
Dry goods, like clothes and fabrics and hats,
and maybe even Japanese specialties on the side,
like rice and things.
So what do you think?
Wait a minute.
So this is another announcement.
You can't look a gift horse in the mouth, Ed.
All these people.
Smyles is not making any effort.
He pays me nothing.
ED: I say no.
Ed, we shook on it.
Thank you. - Jig?
No thanks.
Aya, why don't you pull up a chair?
Oh, no thanks.
I've got work to do in the kitchen.
M-- Mary Jean?
Aya, can I help you?
You see?
Aya's got things under control.
The kids like her.
Excuse me.
Where is she going?
ED: I don't know.
[chatter]
Uh-uh.
My mother won't let me wear it.
[dance music playing]
Come on, Kitty.
Hey, Hannah, is that a Japanese dance?
It's called the Jitterbug.
It sounds like a disease.
Can you dance like that?
Yeah.
Do you think you could teach me?
[indistinct speech]
Me and Aya made you a sign, Mom.
Thank you.
It's beautiful.
Thanks, you two.
Can you hold this?
What do you think?
Isn't that nice?
Maybe the wrapping paper should be right
next to the cash register.
But the counter space here is for wrapping.
No, no.
Aya's right, Ann.
If we move the cash register andput the paper right next to it,
then we can have the lineuphere and the wrapping done here.
Uh, excuse me.
Peg?
ED: Should we hang it up?
AYA: Can I give you guys a hand?
Good job.
I didn't expect to be working with your maid.
ED: Ready?
- She's just being helpful.- OK.
Are you ready?
Go.
Do you want to give me a hand?
Yay!
[MUSIC - "WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN"]
The parade gets better every year.
MAS: Hey, it's Aya!
Over here!
Hi.
Aya!
You look terrific!
MAN: Hey.
Hey, he's here!
Oh, Loomis.
Come here.
No, this way.
[brakes squeak]
Hello, Mr. Parnum.
Evening.
How are you doing?
Here you go.
Thank you.
They're pretty wet, butit's the best I could manage.
Appreciate it. Thanks.
Hey, sandbag, let the man do his work.
Form a single line.
Hey, who do you think you are?
MAN 1: Leave us alone.
MAN 2: We don't need your help.
Just leave us alone.
MAN 3: Go away.
Help yourselves, guys.
McIntyre.
If it wasn't for me delivering scrap wood,
there wouldn't be enough.I'm doing that on my own time.
And if it wasn't for the Dookaboys, they'd be starving.
Now, what are you doing, huh?
You're supposed to belooking after these people.
We're trying to deal with, as you can see,
a very unusual situation here.
You're doing bugger all.
Lookit, I didn't want acouple of thousand Japs dumped
on my doorstep any more than the next guy,
but I'm damned if I'm gonna letthem freeze their asses off.
We simply haven't got the funds.
There's enough to keep your butt warm.
Mr. Parnum, if you can figure out a way
to fit all these peoplein the commission office,
I'll gladly comply.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm alittle behind on my paperwork.
Paperwork.
Do you know what paperwork's good for?
Starting fires.
MAN: [speaking japanese]
[wind whistling]
Oh, Papa don't get up yet.
I put the water on.
I was awake all night.
It's not good to have the house empty so long.
I know, Papa.
I've written, telephoned.
I don't know what else to do.
Ask Mr. Stein to send our winter things.
Mama can't manage the cold.
Try and get some sleep, Papa.
I've got to go to work.
[grunting]
Come on!
[grunting]
MAS: Here.
[grunts]
[banging]
AYA: That's enough.
Thanks.
MAS: It's bloody hell in here.
Hey, where is everybody?
JIG: I don't know.
What are we gonna do, recruit some girls?
Where's Jimbo?
He put his back out.
All right.
Hey, what do we have here?
What are you guys doing here?
I hear your boys are tryingto get a team together.
BOY: Hey, Mas, let's roll.
I didn't know Japs could play hockey.
ED: I'll be damned.
[speaking japanese]
Sorry to keep youwaiting, but with the sale,
it's just been so busy.
Be right with you, sir.
PEG: I'm not sure Iunderstand what you want.
Hi.PEG: Now, is this what you want?
Hi, Mom!
Oh, how cute.
Aya, who's this elf?
Mom, it's time to go.
I know the whole song.
[SINGING] On the first day of Christmas
my true love gave to me apartridge in a pear tree.
Just a minute, sweetie.
This-- this one's what you want.
How much do you want?
AYA: Can I help?
Oh, please.
[speaking japanese]
[speaking japanese] She'd likethree yards of yellow cotton.
Three yards?
ANN: Peg? - Hm?
It's broken again.
Oh, just a minute, please.
Mom, it's time to go!
AYA: Shall I take her?
Well, no, no, no, no.
I'll just be a minute.
I, uh--
I'll take her.
What?
I want Aya.
No, Mary Jean, go with Ann and I--
I'll be there very soon, all right?
You can sing me a song on the way, all right?
Yeah. MARY JEAN: All right.
OK.
[banging]
PEG: Thanks, Aya.
You're a godsend.
[dance music playing]
Thanks.
You're welcome.
Yes you can.
No, no, no.
Come on.
[laughter]
I can dance like I used to.
I just can't breathe the same.
What are you doing sitting down, huh?
I can't.
Mary Jean, dance with your old man.
No.
Aya, come on.
Oh, no.
Oh, come on, Aya.
Oh, come on.
Save me.
You dance very well.
Thank you.
Well, that was short.
Should we go again?
I love the polka.
BAND LEADER: Let me call you Sweetheart.
[MUSIC - "LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART"]
They tricked us.
Excuse me.
May I cut in?
Sure.
How come you wouldn't dance with your old man?
Because you stepped onmy foot last time, Daddy.
I did not.
[laughing]
[applause]
MAS: That was fun.
MAN: We're in a camp about five miles uptown.
It's freezing.
MAS: How about some cocoa?
Um, do you live around here?
Yeah. Not too far.
Just in town.
Do you live with your parents?
Yes, and my brother.
Can I see you again?
It'll be hard.
You know how it is.
We'll just have to be resourceful.
[car horn honks]
MAN: Hey, Toyo!
I gotta get going.
MAN: Toyo, come on!
I would like to see you again.
All right.
Right away.
Bye.
[whistle blows]
[cheering]
Hey, Ed, your team's a little yellow, isn't it?
You're jealous, Angus?
And you're over the hill.
CROWD: Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!
[cheering]
Did you see that?
What a player!
I'm gonna [inaudible].
All right. I'll see you.
See you later.
So, who won?
We did.
ALL: [SINGING] Sing we joyous, all together,
fa-la-la, la-la-la, la, la, la.
Heedless of the wind and weather.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.
Is dinner ready?
Oh, my goodness.
Dinner.
Mm.
Sing, let's go.
Which one?
Oh, my goodness.
The pudding for Aya.
Mary Jean, you take thisto Aya and you tell her--
Merry Christmas?
[knocking]
YOSHIKO: Come in, Mary Jean.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas.
We have something for you too.
What are you making, Mr. Kawashima?
I am making a cabinet for Buddha.
Oh.
Here you go.
Oh, thank you.
You're welcome. Merry Christmas.
[giggles]
Merry Christmas.
[door opens and closes]
They don't have a tree or anything.
No presents.
Can't they come here for supper?
Oh, sweetie, I'm sure theyhave plans of their own.
[gasps]
Why don't you go in the room and show
Daddy all your presents, huh?
Go on.
MARY JEAN: Look at all the presents we got.
ED: Oh.
MARG: That's so soft, Mary Jean.ED: Look at that.
MARG: Is that one for me?
ED: Where's mine?
[singing in japanese]
[distant laughter]
[yelling]
Snowball fight.
Go around the back.
The back.
Come on, Aya.
Let's go.
Come on, Yoshiko.
It'll be fun.
Come on.
It's a snowball fight.
PEG: Take that!
[laughing]
Ow!
Now that one hurt, Ed!
ED: Oh!
Oh!
[laughter and yelling]
MAS: Oh, stop! Stop!
PEG: Aya!
Aya, help me!
Hey, Aya.
[yelling]
MARG: Please don't! I give!
Well, we really loved our gifts.
Oh, thank you for the pudding.
Merry Christmas.
Good night.
Bye-bye.
ED: Look out!
TOYO: I don't want to leave you.
I don't.
I just don't think they'llever let us go home.
Really?
The only choice is to go east, to Toronto.
We have no future togetheras long as I stay here.
Aya, this was my grandmother's.
I want you to take it.
I-- I can't take it.
We might never see each other again.
I'm giving this to you so that we will.
Please.
[thunderclap]
There, it's finished.
What's he called?
Teru teru bozu.
If you hang him in the window,he'll bring good weather.
Can he make it sunny tomorrow?
Maybe, maybe not.
He reminds us that the blue skies are
there behind the clouds, even when
it doesn't seem quite possible.
CHILDREN: [speaking japanese]
AYA [VOICEOVER]: We've had no response
to our repeated inquiriesabout our home and business.
My father served this countryin the First World War
and deserves some respect.
Please make an exception and give him
permission to start a business if you intend
to keep us here much longer.
- Good Noon, ladies. - Hello.
Do you know where a fellowcould buy a pair of wool socks
around here?
Sir, we have the most extensive line
of socks in town.
What do you need?
Size ten.
Got your girl working for you now, have you?
Yeah.
She's a great help to me.
Well, it's a fine opportunityto learn some valuable skills.
Actually, Mr. McIntyre, I havea business college certificate
and I worked for my father for years.
He owns a boat buildingbusiness, and I did the books.
TOM MCINTYRE: Did you know this?
How--
ANN: You went to college?
AYA: Yes.
How about these?
Excuse me.
I'm going to go get Mary Jean now.
PEG: They must have had good reasons
to move them from the coast.
They looked like a gang of spies to you, huh?
Of course not.
I just don't understand it.
We're looking at a timberlicense up at Mosquito Creek.
Oh?
Who's "we"?
I'm going partners with the Endo brothers.
You can't do that.
It's not allowed.
You're gonna get us all in trouble.
If we get caught, well, they're working for me.
That's all the commission's gotta know.
Oh.
So, this is an announcement.
Pretty much.
Mm-hm.
We're putting in the same.
We're equal partners.
I couldn't do it if it was any other way.
I'm gonna check out that pool downstream.
[ducks quacking]
[humming]
[clatter]
[birds squawking]
So, can you sneak out tonight?
I'll try.
OK.
[accidental knock]
Uh-oh.
Mary Jean?
Ed?
Come and eat.
[rooster crowing]
I'm going to Hannah's after, OK?
That's not where you're going, is it?
No.
You are too young to beout gallivanting with boys.
Uh-huh.
I wasn't gallivanting.
That's right.
You weren't, were you?
You were spying.
I was not spying.
Well, we were hiding, soyou must have been spying.
Well, if you didn't sneakaround, I wouldn't have to spy!
Marg, use your common sense.
This boy has such a different background.
- Are we talking about Mas here?- Can't you see?
He's the best thing around.
I don't care if he's the onlything around, you're too young!
Too young?
Is she spooning with a Jap?
No matter how nice the boysare, they only want one thing.
Peg!
Come on you two.
No, Ed.
Maybe the ones you know.
If I wait around forsome blockhead from here,
I'll wind up old and grouchy like you.
ED: Marg?
What?
What do the boys want?
Aya, what do you think about Marg and Mas?
I mean, I just don't thinkMarg is quite old enough
to be so serious about a boy.
Could you maybe have a little chat with Mas?
Well, my father has already spoken to Mas.
Oh.
[birds calling]
There's places up there wherethe horses could get through
without cutting a skid trail.
Lots of good wood up there, thebest that we've seen so far.
We could start in right away.
Then let's start right away, huh?
This silent partnership stuff is horseshit.
Hey, don't worry about it.
We'll make plenty of noiseonce the war is over.
Yes, we will. Woo-hoo.
Good, huh?
ED: Come guys, let's go!
Hi, honey.
I'm not gonna be home for supper, OK?
See you.
And a big, black bear whoshouted around and the way
that he went was [japanese].
And a deer that went [japanese].
And a monkey that went [japanese]..
And they all lived together in a--
You can go home now, Aya.
Oh, I'll just finish reading the story.
That's all right.
You can finish it some other time.
Now, Mary Jean, it's getting late.
You go upstairs. - No!
It's too early. I never go to bed--
AYA: Well, what about her snack?
She'll be fine.
No I won't!
I want Aya.
Say good night.
Good night, Mary Jean.
I've got to go now.
MARY JEAN: Don't go!
I want to come with you!
No, that's enough.
Now, upstairs.
You've been up far too late.
Go on now.
MARY JEAN: I hate you!
You're very, very mean.
It may not look it sometimes, but I'm
still the mother around here.
Yes, you're the wife,the mother, the shop owner,
the free-voting citizen.
I understand all that very well.
Aya, we are not responsiblefor your being here.
Do you want me back tomorrow?
[sighs]
I'll see you at 8:00.
DAN: [SINGING] Oh, the parlorboys, they built the mill.
They built the mill on the side of the hill.
And they worked on there, they worked
all day just to make the[inaudible] Come on, Jigger,
help me out here.
[SINGING] Oh, well the parlorboys, they built the mill.
They built the mill--
Shh, shh, shh.
The war department's gone to bed early.
What's the matter with you, Jigger?
I already told you.
I don't like it.
Jig, they're stand-up guys.
Holy smokes, can they drink.
You forget, we're at war with these guys.
Uh, uh, uh.
We're in business with these guys.
It's different.
You're in business with them, not me.
I don't trust them.
[sighs]
Yeah, you don't know.
You don't know nothing.
I don't know nothing, huh?
I don't know nothing.
I know when you need a job, a loan, a place
to stay, who do you come to, little brother, huh?
It's the principle of the thing.
Principle?
When did you ever stand on principle?
Since Dunkirk.
Jig.
Jigger!
The Japs are the best thingthat's happened to this place
since they found silver!
[birds calling]
MARG: So what would you do if you found
a nugget the size of your fist?
Hm?
Buy my way into Harvard?
Yale? Maybe even Oxford.
What are they?
Look, don't make me feel like a hick.
I just want to know, all right?
OK, well, they are universities.
Kind of where your marks don't count,
it's just that you went there.
Oh, I bet you'd get good marks.
Yeah, well, so would you.
[car radio music playing]
Oh, gosh.
What's wrong?
KID: Whoa, who's car?
This is our car.
Yeah, and I'm Winston Churchill.
[laughs]
[dog barking]
I saw our car.
Someone is driving our car.
Everything's gone, Mas.
The business, the house, everything.
What do you mean, gone?
What happened to it?
Sold off.
Auctioned. MAS: Who sold it?
The government.
You mean, some dirtyhakujin's living in our house?
Riding my bike?
Using Mama' china?
Speak English!
We speak English in Canada!
Mas!
It's because of the old people crouched
by their little radios, believing the lies,
worshipping the Emperor.
Look, they meant to get rid of us all along!
MARG: Mas, I'm sorry.
Mas.
MAS: Just leave me alone!
[fire crackling]
Here you are.
Thanks.
You paid me too much.
Well, don't spend it all in one place.
There are two stores in town.
I can't take this.
Aya, you earned every cent.
It's charity.
I don't want to hurt your feelings, Peg.
We don't want charity.
We want self-respect.
I'm sorry.
PEG: Me too.
[SINGING] Black, white, the little kitty cat.
[door squeaks]
Where are you going?
I'm moving out, kid.
I want to come too.
Suit yourself.
If you're coming, you'regonna have to do your bit.
Jig--
[grunts]
That's not how you pick up a bag.
It's like this.
[laughing]
Jig, let me down.
I'm getting dizzy.
So am I.
Are you gonna fight the Sauerkrauts again?
[chuckles]
No.
No, I'm just moving down the street.
Mm.
Don't worry.
You haven't got rid of me yet.
See you, kid.
MARY JEAN: Bye, Jigger.
[indistinct conversation]
Good night.
Peg?
Hm?
I have something to tell you.
I know this is a bad time, andI don't know how to put this,
but Peter and I have come to a decision.
Who?
Peter.
Jig.
[laughs]
Well, when did you start calling him Peter?
Peg, we're gonna get married.
What?
And we-- we feel it's bestfor me to give up the shop.
You want out of the shop.
It's just that a wifeshould stand by her husband.
And with Ed and Pete, well--
I know how much the shop means to you.
I think you should keep it.
We can work something out.
It's been great, Peg.
We just feel that this is best.
I see.
[door squeaks]
- Are you ready to go? - Yeah.
All right. Let's go.
Oh, what a nice night, eh?
Yeah.
AYA: [japanese]
BOTH: [singing in japanese]
[splashing]
AYA: There we go.
Now, get in slowly. It is hot.
Well, somebody should makea protest, don't you think?
They make it worse for everyone.
MARY JEAN: What does she mean?
Yoshiko,
[singing in japanese]
AYA: Yoshiko?
[continues singing]
[chicken clucking]
Bye-bye, Mary Jean.
Bye.
Yoshiko, where are you going?
Well, you look absolutely lovely.
Is it a special day?
MARY JEAN: Where are you going, Yoshiko?
So, what are you gonna do today?
I don't know.
[rooster crowing]
Is it Yoshiko's birthday?
I don't think so.
She was wearing aspecial dress this morning,
but she didn't come back.
Did she say anything?
Nope.
Mama asked her.
Come on.
Show me where she wasgoing. [CALLING] Yoshiko!
Yoshiko!
MARY JEAN: Yoshiko!
AYA: Yoshiko!
Yoshiko!
MARY JEAN: Yoshiko!
She must have been here.
Look.
[water lapping]
AYA: [singing in japanese]
[birds calling]
This is where I come too.
Aya--
Was the shop busy today?
I really wish we could talk.
Did you come here hoping itwould make you feel better?
That's fair.
I did.
And I know I haven't been much of a friend--
Well, how could anyone reallybe friends in this situation?
We were all thrown into this so unprepared.
No one knew what to expect.
What happened, Aya?
Why did she do it?
Yoshiko died of shame, see?
Shame like my father feels, mymother feels, even Mas feels.
I will not feel it.
I will not feel shame!
I love this country, Peg.
You never really know what democracy
is until they take it away.
Well, it's like beingbetrayed by your own family.
Well, when the war's over, you--
you'll pick up the pieces and things--
There are no pieces.
[birds calling]
Uh, Mary Jean's really worried about you.
She asked me to give you this.
[sniffs]
[crying]
[music - "fur elise"]
[ticking]
What's the matter?
How did this happen?
How did I get to be part of this, hm?
How did we end up on the wrong side?
Here.
Read this.
Good morning, ladies.
[cow mooing]
They've given us an ultimatum.
We have to make a choice.
If we want to remain in Canada,we must leave immediately
and go east to the Rockies.
Otherwise, if we refuse to move away,
we have to sign to go to Japan when the war ends.
We have three weeks to decide.
Three weeks.
Impossible.
We know people who have moved east.
They'll help us settle.
I have no wish to start over in this country.
Well, we could take care of you and Mama.
I could get a good job in Toronto.
MR. KAWASHIMA: I will not stay.
There will soon be anhonorable peace with Japan.
What do you mean?
They're crazy over there.
They could win.
Then who will we be here?
Japanese? Huh?
Canadian?
Papa, it doesn't matter who wins.
Japan means nothing to us.
Even when we have been so humiliated by Canada?
My own children.
I don't understand you!
[groans]
[fire crackling]
If I wasn't a Jap, I wouldn't have met you.
If you weren't a Jap, you wouldn't have to go.
It's all my fault for being a goddamn Jap.
Mas, don't say that, please.
[birds calling]
What are you doing?
Come on.
Let's go in.
[splash]
Is it cold?
Come on!
Are you chicken?
It's perfect.
Jump!
[splash]
Don't leave me here.
You are not going to Toronto!
It's you who's making a mistake, not me!
[slap]
I love him.
Margy, honey, it's not enough.
It's not?
Margy, wait a couple of years.
I can't wait until you decide it's OK.
He's leaving now.
You'll be treated like him.
Like a second-class citizen.
And what about your children?
Peggy.
Well, you were 17.
Didn't you know you'd be happy?
I thought I knew everything.
Aren't you happy?
What's happy?
Hm?
How can you think of this?
Mama,
It's not her fault.
We will not see you again [inaudible]..
Mas.
[rooster crowing]
Ed!
Aya!
They're gone.
Ed's gone after them.
It'll be OK.
We have friends in Toronto.
You have friends in Toronto?
You knew about this.
They should be here, safe at home.
Why didn't you stop it?
For God's sakes, they're just kids!
MR. KAWASHIMA: Aya.
[water rushing]
[birds calling]
MATTHEW HALTON [ON RADIO]:They broke into tears
when they saw I was Canadianand they kissed me twenty times.
Then they took me in their car and we
drove through the wildlycheering crowds with our arms
around each other.
We crossed the river to the Ile de la Cite--
That's something, huh?
MATTHEW HALTON [ON RADIO]:--the cradle of Paris history.
Where's Aya?
MATTHEW HALTON [ON RADIO]: My friends were
shouting, "Il est Canadien!"
Eat your soup, Mary Jean.
MATTHEW HALTON [ON RADIO]: He's a Canadian.
And I knew what it was to feel like a king.
In a few hours, we made friendships that we'd
treasure all our lives.
Paris is free.
Paris is happy again.
[dance music playing]
Mrs. Parnum, I'm very disappointed
in your shop assistant.
Oh.
I see she signed for repatriation.
I didn't expect disloyaltyfrom such an agreeable woman.
Tell me, Mr. McIntyre, how is it
that you can repatriate someone to a place they
have never been?
Hey, how about a dance?
Pleasure.
Why don't you stick with your own kind?
Excuse us.
I thought you were supposed to ship out?
Hey, Angus, why don't you take it easy?
I hear your daughter gotherself knocked up by a nip.
You lying bastard!
MAN: Angus, that's enough now!
Mas is a better man than you'll ever be!
You and you, you stay out of this.
You're in enough trouble already.
I reported you for not signing.
Ha.
We're not signing anything, McIntyre.
Why should they sign?
You guys don't know what the hell you
are doing one day to the next.
This is none of your business, Parnum.
You two better go home nowand make plans to leave.
Why you--
Gene, Gene, not worth it.
[grunts]
MAN: Nice one.
Are you nuts?
Yeah.
I should have done it three years ago.
MAN: You should have done it two years ago.
[dance music playing]
I know you like to thinkyou're just a regular guy,
but you're not.
You're a gem, Eddie Parnum.
[wind chimes clanging]
[door squeaks]
I got a letter.
They're staying with friends andMas thinks he might have a job.
They got married.
I guess this makes us family.
[both crying]
[laughing]
He says to me, out of the blue,I mean, this is his proposal--
"Well, Peggy, shall we hitch our wagons?"
[laughter]
I thought it was so romantic.
My mother, of course, thoughthe was too wild for me.
Of course, he was just wild enough.
[laughs]
So, uh-- we eloped.
Eloped?
Mm-hm.
Hey, what about you?
How come you never got married?
Well, my parents wanted me tomarry this rich, old gentlemen.
Rich?
Oh, well, you should have.
With bad teeth.
Oh, ew, ew.
Well, of course, I can't refuse.
Oh.
It's not our way.
So what happened?
He died.
[laughs]
[bell rings]
He was really old.
PEG: You're pulling my leg.
Mom?
You rascal.
Yes?
Tommy says they droppeda great big bomb in Japan
and everyone's dead.
Why would anybody in their right mind
want to go to Japan now?
You signed on the line.
If you had reversed your decision
before the war was over--
You didn't give us a choice.
Look, your parents are nationals.
They signed, they have to go back.
Mr. McIntyre, I thought we lived in a democracy.
We're under the War Measures Act.
The government does what it has to.
Yes, but the war is over.
But the War Measures Act is not over.
Oh, that's clever.
Could I get a job like yours, making
up rules and harassing people?
You realize the rules apply to everyone.
Don't you--
Peg.
[water rushing]
Here it is!
AYA: Really?
[birds chirping]
Thank you very much.
[bowl rings]
[speaking japanese]
I'm gonna wear this all the time.
No, Mary Jean, I need this for my kimono.
I don't wanna say goodbye.
You're just like me.
Little Japanese girls are taught not to cry.
That way, strangers can'tsee what's in their heart.
And that way, what's in your heart
stays secret and stays strong.
Here.
Let's have a look.
Jig?
Yeah?
TOM MCINTYRE: Yamaguchi.
Have you seen Aya?
Aya.
She might be over there aroundthe back of Eddie's truck.
I'm not going!
Don't pull!
No!
[indistinct chatter]
TOM MCINTYRE: Mogawa.
I'll send you a care package.
AYA: I'll let you know what todo with my Birth Certificate.
Now, you write me as soon as you get settled.
Careful what you send.
If I send any contraband,I'll be sure to hide it well.
TOM MCINTYRE: Kawashima.
Bye-bye.
I'll see my parentssettled, then I'll be back.
Oh, Mary Jean.
Thank you for being sucha good friend, Mary Jean.
TOM MCINTYRE: Kawashima.
[truck engine starts]
[SHOUTING] Aya!
Aya!
PEG: In 1947, the government repealed
the deportation orders.
It was too late.
Thousands ofJapanese-Canadians had already
left for war-devastated Japan.
Those who remained were scattered
across the country, faced with the problems
of starting over from nothing.
No Japanese-Canadian wasever charged with treason
or acts of disloyalty.
[music playing]