DISTRIBUTED BY ART THEATRE GUILD
COPRODUCED BY JAPAN FILM SCHOOL & ART THEATRE GUILD
PRODUCER YUKIO TATE (TOTSU INC.)
DIRECTORIAL DEBUT OF KIM SOO-GIL
- Take care! - Yeah.
IDYU EETHEBAFIEFI I'
ST. MARY CHURCH
Young man... Do you wanna do it?
Let's do it.
Hey, let's do it.
Etsuko!
Hi.
Ah, that was close. That rotten Hekko almost dragged me along with her.
You're just pretending. Actually you did a round, haven't you?
You can't be serious. Her disease is contagious.
- So she can't even earn money. - Oh, are you worried about her?
You should do her, Shinji.
Shigeru...
Don't worry, if you get sick I have an acquaintance at the health care center.
Hello, this is Cafe Biscuit. Ah, hello...
Hey, I haven't finished that...
Is it true that a woman can't help herself after she loses her virginity?
I don't know...
What would you do if the woman you like wasn't a virgin?
I'd make her give me some, since she's not a virgin anymore.
Wouldn't it make the woman pitiful?
Aren't you a little strange today?
Mr. Gomura.
Oh, the artist. On your way home'?
- Have you seen my painting? - Yeah. The award-winning White Lily.
- And...? - Well... certainly it's neatly painted.
That's all?
Yeah.
Yes. About that... Yes, that'll do.
Yes. Hey, Shigeru...
Then, I'll visit you the day after tomorrow. Yes, thank you, goodbye.
When will your summer vacation end?
On August 17.
You're free tomorrow, right?
Yeah.
Will you come to Mr. Yasuoka's place?
What for?
- Welcome home. - Yeah.
He can teach you various things, like drafting and measuring.
- Can't we do that on another day'? - We can...
But, you should do it before the second semester starts.
Okay-
Certainly, it's neatly painted.
It's not just neat, isn't it?
You know Haruyo...
Your facial expression doesn't change much.
It doesn't work.
It's killing me.
Come here.
“Mom, don't sleep.
If you sleep, Dad will appear.
Laughing as usual, with a red nose, laughing as usual.“
- His wife? - Yes, Sir.
I think he could've avoided it if he wanted.
But he didn't move at all, and thus got crushed.
It just looked like a suicide.
Madam! Madam!
Did he really die?
Though he was always fixing flat tires... Why did he die?
Why?
"Mom, don't sleep. I won't sleep either."
SUZUKI BICYCLE SHOP
Mom.
About Dad... Was that really an accident?
Yeah.
Why was Dad working at the harbor?
Due to the oil shock, we couldn't make a living from the shop.
So he Went there to earn our living.
So, he didn't commit suicide, right?
Of course not.
- Hey, stop her or she'll bite through that. - You mustn't do that.
You can stay.
I told you to throw her out. She just shits everywhere.
- I promised to clean after her. - Alright.
A man should always keep his promise.
Yeah.
"Mom, don't sleep."
What are you painting now?
A woman.
A nude?
I'm serious here, you know.
Do you know Kikuchi Haruyo?
I don't know her by name.
Maybe I know her by face.
- Is she beautiful? - Yeah.
Have you asked her to pose for you?
Nope. I'm drawing it secretly.
Have you ever talked with her?
It's difficult somehow to speak to her.
It's kind of difficult to approach a pretty woman, you know.
I guess so.
Irrespective what era you are living in,
I believe, that beauty only exists to make the human heart suffer.
An artist is someone who's body and soul is torn to shreds by the pursuit of beauty.
Van Gogh, Gauguin and Utrillo... They were all like that.
What do you think?
Hitomi?
Well, each person has it's own sense of beauty, after all.
She goes to Saint Mary Academy.
1,2, 3... 1,2,3...
6, 7, s...
Hey!
There's nothing to worry about.
If you want to befriend her, you've no choice but to approach her.
Even if I approach her, the impossible remains impossible.
- What makes it impossible? - We have nothing to talk about.
Since... she's a Christian.
There's no way a woman would seriously believe in religion nowadays.
Maybe she's the type who wants to save herself for the afterlife.
Impossible.
- Yes it is. - It isn't.
You're hopeless. You can't even approach the woman you like.
How are you going to spend your life?
Then, you're going to approach that model, Kikuchi Haruyo?
That's not same.
How's that any different?
Shinji's in love with her, you know.
Mine is just a subject for painting.
If that's the case, can you paint a woman that you don't love?
How can you put your feelings into the painting without knowing what kind of woman she is?
It's a method of pursuing the ideal.
In other words, it's only a superficial painting, just like the previous prize-winning White Lily.
Well, it's only a local competition in the backwoods, after all.
- I dare you say that again. - Come on, take it easy.
- You bastard. - What...?
- Are you okay? - Mind your own business.
Shigeru!
- I won't apologize. - But that was brute.
You, too, think that my paintings are only decorative paintings, don't you?
- I won't hang outwith a bully. - Then we're through.
Shigeru...
You fatherless child.
Stop it. Give me back my cap.
Shinji's mom is exactly like Ekko.
- She's doing it. - That's right.
- What are you doing? - Shigeru.
His mom is exactly like Hekko there.
- That's a lie. - It's true.
- It's a lie. - Exactly like Hekko.
Shut up!
You bastard.
Don't cry Shinji. Don't cry!
Get lost!
Get out of here!
If you guys are planning to go away during summer vacation, let me know in due time, okay?
Yes, Sir.
Good afternoon.
Are you free after finishing these deliveries?
Hitomi comes back with the 5:20 train.
She has school club practices.
That's your problem.
This cat surely eats a lot.
Everything she eats ends up all over the place, Shinji.
You should train her to use the toilet.
Alright.
By the way, what will you do after graduation?
I haven't really thought about it.
It's your third year.
You should properly think about your future from now on.
Tokyo...
What?
It's nothing.
You don't have a dream, or something that you'd like to become?
If you had a talent like Shigeru...
But you have nothing like that.
If you go on like this, you'll have to take over the bicycle shop, you know.
Who's there?
Hi, come in.
Why are you so gloomy?
- Did someone break your heart or something? - No.
- Have you written a new poem? - Yes, but it's not good.
It doesn't matter if it's good, as long as you express your feelings honestly in your writing.
Lately, I often dream about my Dad.
In my dream, he walks home under the lumber.
And... he's always laughing.
Why is that?
I'm not a psychiatrist, you know.
I'm home.
Oh, good evening.
- Excuse my intrusion. - Talking about poems, again?
I can tell you, there's no use to listen to a failed poet's talk.
Shut up. I told you, I didn't come back, because I failed.
I just got sick of my Tokyo artist lifestyle.
I wonder how many women I had.
But, when I couldn't sell, I was always alone.
Before I knew it, I was lonely.
And since I was lonely, I wrote like hell.
It didn't make me happy at all to be appreciated that way.
Was it that rough?
I realized, that I've felt something like human warmth for the first time, when I returned here.
Because, until now, I've been living selfishly, relying on other people,
I would never imagined that I was just waiting for Namiko.
You're the finest Woman in the world.
Get out of here.
Anyway, bring me everything you write.
- I will. - Good.
I think it's a waste. You could definitely enter the College of Arts.
But... what do I tell my Dad?
Of course, you'll need your parents' permission.
However, I just can't bear
to see someone so talented get buried before my eyes in this rural area.
Or, are you interested in architecture?
Not really.
Should I try to convince your father?
No, I'll take care of it myself.
Shigeru.
Look.
Come and greet the Director.
Hello, Terajima Grocery here.
- Excuse me, could I speak with Miss Hitomi? - Ah, I'm speaking...
Err... it's me, Yoshimura.
You know, we were in the same class in the 3rd year of middle school.
Do you remember me?
So... what do you want?
- Are you free tomorrow? - I go to church on Sundays.
But that's in the mornings, right? What about the afternoon?
Can't you tell me on the phone?
Suzuki Shinji?
The quiet guy with the huge body.
Ah, the guy from the bicycle shop?
That's the one. He wants to go outwith you.
- I don't want to. - Eh?
Tell him that.
Shinji's serious. He's not the type, who'd fool around.
- Finally, this will even come to a proposal. - That's right, a proposal.
Right now, he's living with his mother.
As a hobby, he learned to write poems by imitation.
- So he must be a good person. - He is a good guy.
But, he doesn't stand by his own feelings.
I'm not interested in that.
He's waiting for you at the station every evening.
But since you always look so reserved, he doesn't dare to approach you.
So, maybe you could somehow approach him instead?
Me?
Yeah. I beg you. Okay?
Please. As an act of charity.
- You only have to talk with him. - But there's already someone else I like.
Oh well, it can't be helped then.
Swear on the book, never to tell him that I asked you to do it.
You're desecrating the Bible, you know.
I'm okay with that, since I don't believe in God.
But you won't be able to go anywhere after you die.
So I was right, that you turned to religion, because you're concerned about afterlife?
It's not like that...
- Well then... I'm off. - I see. I'm counting on you.
Back then... Do you still remember it?
I didn't thank you yet.
Thank you very much.
Aren't you Shinji?
Wham'?
Just as I thought... We were in the same middle school.
Yeah, now that you mention it...
What are you doing here?
I'm here...
...to buy a cola. - I see.
Ah, I need to get home before six.
See ya.
Bye.
Was that good enough?
Yeah. Thanks.
Next up, I'm thinking to make Shinji ask you out tomorrow.
It looks like you don't care about my feelings at all.
That's not true.
If you want, just tell him that you already like someone else.
I can't tell him that.
Is it going well with the man you like?
It's only one-sided from my part.
If that's the case, could you give up on him and go outwith Shinji for a little longer?
I've always liked... you, Shigeru.
Ever since then.
Do you feel like helping me?
That's why I came.
Let me see. Give me half of it.
You're quite pale. Go home and sleep.
I'm okay. Like I said, I'll help you.
By the way, did you complete the painting?
I couldn't even touch it, since I'm looking after you.
Sorry.
- You should ask Hitomi out today. - Alright.
- What's it? - Ain't that Hekko'?
Maybe she had a client last night?
No one's going near her, because she's disgusting.
Maybe the syphilis reached her brain?
Hey, what will it be?
- A coffee would be fine, right? - Yes. No, make that two.
Hi. How did it go with Shinji?
We're living quite close to each other.
What are you doing?
He didn't talk to me at all, you know.
He's hopeless.
It smells like oil paint.
I see, you're still painting, right'?
I have to create a painting for the Autumn National contest.
But I'm sure everything will be alright, no matter what you paint.
That's not true. The subject is very important.
There's no point in painting a conventional subject.
Well...
You should paint Christ someday.
- Christ? - Yes, I want to decorate my room with it.
It's embarrassing to say... but our shop's going through a crisis right now.
So, I'm really clinging on to God with all my heart.
That department store is stealing customers, right?
Yes.
Full of hate... I'm praying every night, from my window, for them to go bankrupt.
Next Sunday, would you like to join me and Shinji to go out somewhere?
The three of us?
Yes, the three of us.
Why aren't you wearing a blazer?
What's your name?
- Well... Hitomi. - What?
Would you like to go out somewhere this Sunday?
On Sundays I go to church.
I see.
However, I'm free in the afternoon.
- So, you'll come? - Just the two of us?
No. Well... do you know Yoshimura Shigeru?
The one from middle school?
Yeah. I'll bring him along. So, we'll be three.
Okay-
Thank you.
You must go tomorrow.
- Tomorrow? - They're pretty busy.
So, you don't want to take over the construction business?
Yes.
Come on.
Join the Yasuoka Group for about two or three years.
Let me tell you, that even a university degree, won't guarantee you a good income.
You're saying that just because you built this house.
You can't live it up as an artist.
You may have to live from part-time jobs all your life.
Art is born from suffering, you know.
I'll show you that I can live without eating, until I'm able to paint exactly what I want.
There's no way, the son of an affluent family could possibly do that.
Mr. Toyama, my teacher, pins high hopes on me.
A teacher can be rather irresponsible, as it doesn't concern his own son.
Take a look at that Mr. Gomura. In the end he came back after failing.
Exactly! He wound up as a construction worker.
That's because he has no talent.
Do you believe that firmly in your talent?
Artists are at the bottom of human society, you know?
They get money for exhibiting their art.
It's always been an occupation which makes parents cry.
As a third year senior high school student, you should start to think more mature.
Shinji, I can”: come with you today.
Take your time and try to talk with Hitomi.
“If I forget you, oh Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill."
Jerusalem is, for the people who believe in it.
A spiritual cornerstone on which they rely strongly from the bottom of their hearts.
- Hello, boss. - Hi.
Yoshimura, you must be relieved, that you have a successor now.
Mr. Director, I hope you'll train him really hard.
Shigeru, what's your impression of the building site?
Dad, what's being built here?
Another department store.
Ah, here you go.
After the first big store has opened, it's usual that a competitor appears.
But the small shops are already closing down.
I guess that's inevitable.
- Even praying to God is futile. - Obviously.
If God could save you from that, you'd pray to him for just about everything, right?
I hear you write poems.
Who told you about it?
Oh boy, I knew I couldn't lie.
The truth is, that Shigeru called me, and asked me to go out with you.
That guy... prying his nose in...
Don't put it that way. He's just worried about you.
So, you only went outwith me, because he asked you?
Sorry.
Where will you work, after becoming a nurse?
It won't be around here.
In Tokyo?
No.
Rather somewhere in a poor country.
My Dad died while working away from home.
In the harbor.
I heard that from Shigeru.
- He even told you that? - I was shocked, you know.
As of late, I'm thinking, that maybe he killed himself.
Let me tell you, it's not that easy to commit suicide!
Besides he had a family to take care of.
Rotten Hekko! Rotten Hekko!
- Get away from me! - It's Etsuko.
God has punished her... for living a lustful life until now.
That's not it! I heard that she was betrayed by men many times.
Trusting them, always being dumped by them. They say, that this circuit is the reason.
But...
She prostituted herself, didn't she?
Hey! Stop that! Stop it!
Run! Run away! Run away!
“Since it's only a cat, I'm happy.“
“Since it's only a cat, I'm sad.“
“Since she's also alone, I'm happy.“
"Since she's alone, I'm sad."
Hey! Stop chatting, I said!
I'm doing these extra lessons for your sake, you know?
Good grief! Even in this damn heat!
Next.
Shinji.
Me?
You can do it Suzuki. Go for it. Do it. Do it.
Be careful! If you touch the electrodes you'll be electrocuted.
“If the two wheels, front and back, don't spin in unison, you can't move forward.“
“If one breaks down you can't advance anymore, right Shigeru?“
“We've been spinning in unison for 11 years.“
“We should go on spinning. Let's keep spinning in unison.“
Certainly it's neatly painted. But that's all.
How can you put your feelings into the painting without knowing what kind of woman she is?
In other words, it's only a superficial painting.
Hello, this is Yoshimura.
Yes, I understand.
- Hey, where are you going? - School club practice.
Her facial expression is rather lonely.
It resembles you somehow, Shigeru.
Your back is slightly curved.
It's true.
Well then, I'm going home.
Wait.
Is it your first time?
Yours too, Shigeru?
Is she over there?
What?
She'll forget about her owner after 3 days.
Nothing you can do about it.
Actually, I think religion is just a pile of bullshit.
Human beings, aren't they the incarnation of lust, after all?
Lust is...
Divine punishment will fall on you.
Maria!
Come here!
How do you feel about me?
I hate you.
Is it completed?
Not yet.
I just can't understand human beings.
They're always going through changes.
I paint and paint, but can't catch up with her.
I don't get it. I just don't get it.
If I cut this painting into pieces with a knife right now...
What would you do?
Why did you come?
I don't know.
Welcome.
It's done!
Musashino Art School, my ass.
- That damn Toyama must've sent it... - ...because it lacks the parent's seal.
You're admirable Shinji, for taking over the family business.
- I can earn the tuition myself at the least. - Is that so'? Okay then, the bet is on!
If you're chosen to participate in the National contest, you can go to Tokyo.
But... if you fail...
Wow! Amazing!
You did it. Congratulations.
- I wish I could paint Hitomi. - You can do it.
I can't paint realistically like you.
Realistically?
Well... it looks exactly like her. It's like watching a photo.
I'm sorry but... could you go home now?
Okay-
Shinji told me, that you've finished the painting.
Show it to me.
- I haven't finished it yet. - That's a lie.
I can't show it to you right now.
- Is there someone in? - It's nothing like that.
I'm sorry, but please go home.
"There, from the top of the high cliff..."
intended to jump."
"Holding my breath..."
glanced at the lead colored sea."
"Oh sea, turning from lightning blue into hope's red."
"- Together..."
"- ...rather than alone..."
"Not only together..."
"...but also in unison."
- Coffee. - Right on.
I really think it's a good poem.
But, that's all there is to it.
That's not true.
Right, Shigeru?
Are you listening, Shigeru?
It's a very good poem.
No, it's not good.
Neither do I have your convictions...
nor the capability to write poems that see through reality.
It's not good.
Hey... Drop that modest attitude already.
- What about your coffee? - I'm leaving!
I was just irritated, because I fell with the bicycle.
I'll mount you a new wheel, so bring it over.
- What's the matter? - Be right back.
What's this fuss about?
Giving Shinji that bitter look...
Just when he wants to please you the most.
- Ouch! What are you doing? - Already defected to Shinji?
- Let go of me! - So you dislike me now?
Let go, I said!
You told me that you like me.
I do like you. Even now.
Then stop praising his poems!
How can you say that?
He wrote that poem, because he's your friend.
Then, what do you think you are?
You're even doing it with me like a dog behind his back.
And you don't even like me, right?
Who'd like someone like you.
Don't treat other people like Etsuko, even if you don't like them!
Am I...
My body...
...is it only a substitute for Haruyo?
Hi, artist!
Have you finished your superficial artwork?
I did Haruyo.
Liar!
Now that I've experienced the inside of a woman,
it won't become merely a superficial artwork.
Perhaps, in the end it all comes down to talent.
One of your talents sure is to bad-mouth people.
Mention it as a career aspiration.
I wonder if Hitomi eats meat.
Do Christians eat meat?
Perhaps a vegetable salad would be better?
You should have asked her.
I can't ask her something like that.
I'm going to buy some salad.
You're very diligent, when it comes to Hitomi.
It's not like that.
Good grief, they must have been really desperate for an article to fill their newspaper.
Possibly.
No, that's not the reason.
I tell you, they selected it, because of the author's sincerity.
That's malicious, giving the impression that I have a lot of free time.
But it's true. To this day you haven't wasted a thought on any job whatsoever.
What are you going to do?
- I could run the Suzuki Bicycle Shop. - Fool! Like I'm gonna let you take over.
Why don't you become a poet'?
Well, that's going to make me a world-famous millionaire in no time.
'After borrowing a lot of bread, he immediately dropped dead.'
What's the matter?
Where was that nursing school again?
I may not become a nurse at all, you know.
We're heavily in debt, because we borrowed a lot of money.
What are you actually want to be, Shinji?
You know...
Until recently I seriously wanted to become a poet.
Reading poems of various poets and learning about their ways of life, I was really looking forward to it.
But... nowadays, I keep thinking that a peaceful, modest way of life would be better.
I envy Mr. Gomura.
He can live in that tiny room, because the woman he loves is beside him.
I'll run the bicycle shop. I'll write poems on the side.
That goes better with me.
- What do you want? - I came to apologize.
Get out of the way.
We had a party to celebrate his success.
How many times did you do it?
Ouch!
It hurts!
You're a jerk!
Your opinion may change eventually.
Since we're both fellow traitors, we can't find our peace anywhere.
Why did you become like this?
It's already minor season again.
Soon it will be winter.
Will you return home in two years after you've become a nurse?
What for?
After graduation... will you me?
What?
What did you say?
Marry me after you return here.
Since I met you, Hitomi, I realized the importance of human relationships.
Until then, I despised people somehow.
I was locked up in a world of solitude.
But you had Shigeru, didn't you?
Shigeru's an exception. When we're together we are as one.
- Shinji is Shigeru, Shigeru is... - ...Shigeru.
That's not true.
What a likable...
...village fool.
Likable...
“Go to this people, and say,
You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed.'
Oh Lord...
Mrs. Namiko ran away with a yakuza, who was a childhood friend of hers.
For quite some time I sensed that something was strange.
Poets are pretty naive after all.
I wasn't gonna kill myself...
I feel like a burden was lifted from my shoulders.
Why?
Haven't you been happy?
Did it look like that?
- What else was it then? - How the hell would I know!
Are you kind of sick?
Not at all. It's nothing like that.
It seems you haven't been to school for a while.
Hitomi...
Somehow I... really want to see you.
Sorry, but for the time being, I don't want to see anyone.
Thief!
Stop it!
Today the winners of the contest are announced, right'?
Yeah, but I didn't make it.
Why? Didn't you send it'?
Well, I did, but at the last moment.
Apparently it arrived too late.
Hey, Taeko! It's sukiyaki time! We must celebrate his employment!
- At church... till evening? - We've made a bet, so he'll take over the business.
I see. Thank you.
- Have you read the paper? - Yeah.
Then, Yasuoka Group it is. Write that down as your top priority.
Just as you please.
Hitomi, come with me for a minute.
Come with me. Hey, Hitomi?
"Forgive and you shall be forgiven."
Amen.
What are you saying?
Come with me for a moment.
Hey you! Be quiet!
- Hitomi? - "But if you do not forgive...
neither will your Father in heaven forgive your..."
Stop it! What good will praying do?
Hey!
This is a sacred place! Keep quiet!
Shut up! Trying to act cool despite being only a country priest?
Living a carefree life depending on offerings.
Stop talking nonsense! Get out!
How can a priest talk like that?
This is only... a man-made object!
Hitomi, wait!
Okay?
Let's do it.
We've already did it many times.
It wasn't selected.
Seems I have no talent for painting.
Ah, this irritates me!
I need to do it to get over it!
Just do it with Hekko.
It won't work if it's not you.
I think I'll soon become like Hekko.
How can I ever explain this to Shinji?
You should just tell him about us.
Even though I like him, there's nothing I can do about it now.
What shall I do?
I'm scared... I'm scared, you know.
You can get up now.
Shigeru.
What?
Do you happen to know...
...what's up with Hitomi?
Seems she hasn't gone to school, and she told me that she doesn't want to see me.
I have no idea.
I heard some rumors that she was with a man...
I figured that you might know something about that.
There's no way I could know anything about it.
Why don't you ask her about it yourself?
Shigeru.
What now?
It's been a long time, but would you like to go and watch a movie?
She hasn't left her room at all.
- That's it. - Thank you.
Hitomi... It's me.
I beg you. Can't you at least let me hear your voice?
I heard, that you're skipping school.
Is it true that you were together with a man?
Hitomi'?
I slept with him... many times.
Who... do you think he is?
Who?
It's someone you know.
We can't see each other again, right?
Good-bye.
Good lad... it's freezing.
Good grief! It's unbelievable.
Why, for heaven's sake, did he touch that lightning machine?
He insisted to go to the Technical High School, despite his clumsiness.
That fool!
If you'll excuse me...
Why don't you stay a little longer? I'm sure it will please Shinji, too.
I'll come again.
Shigeru, I wonder why Hitomi didn't come.
Is it related somehow?
Does Hitomi have anything to do with Shinji's death?
Well...
It's connected?
I betrayed Shinji.
Hitomi...
I slept with Hitomi.
I'm the one... who killed Shinji.
I'm different from Shinji.
I was only...
- ...thinking about myself. - Enough!
Shinji was weak, like his father.
Shigeru...
now you must live your life for Shinji, too.
Please forgive me...
However...
I can never forgive you, until the day I die.
Go home now.
SHOP FOR SALE! Oh my, it isn't worth a sen.
- Where will you go? - To Hokkaido apparently.
Take care!
I'll be fine.
I've nothing left to lose.
Big sis!
Shigeru! Get over here!
Shigeru!
I just got a call from your teacher.
And you didn't submit your list of career aspirations.
You...
What are you trying to do?
Shigeru! Shigeru, calm down!
Shig... Shi...
Shigeru!
Cast:
Ishibashi Tamotsu
Kodama Gen
Douguchi Yoriko
Aizawa Tomoko
Yabuki Toshiko
Ran Takahisa
Oguma Kyouko
Hiura Ben
Shinsui Sanshou
Hagio Midori
Director KIM SOO-GIL