Original subtitles

SHOCHIKU PRESENTS

JOEN (FLAMES OF LOVE)

Produced by Gendai Eigasha

Starring: Mariko OKADA

Isao KIMURA Etsushi TAKAHASHI

Shigako SHIMEGI Tadahiko SUGANO, Yoshie MINAMI

Written and Directed by Yoshishige YOSHIDA

I didn't think you'd attend the reading today.

I thought you'd given up on poetry.

Well, I haven't attended a meeting for over five years.

Not since I got married.

Your husband dislikes poetry?

No, he's never said anything one way or the other.

He'd never admit to disliking it.

I understand how he feels.

Only feeble, out-of-touch old men write formal poetry these days.

Actually, my quitting had nothing to do with my husband.

It was just how I felt at the time.

Like a canary that has lost its song.

Now I'm suddenly eager again.

I'd forgotten that feeling.

Why is that?

Well...

We last met at your mother's funeral, right?

Yes.

A year already?

Yes, the first annual memorial service was in February.

February?

It must have been cold when she died.

That's right...

There was a bit of snow on the day of her funeral.

Stones seem to have distinct faces.

Yes, they do.

Far more individual than human faces.

A silent countenance that says everything.

The tea is ready.

Shall I serve it inside?

No, outside is better.

- I'm thirsty. I'd prefer beer. - Yes, Sir.

Your mother liked to drink, didn't she?

She never drank in my presence.

Probably scared to.

She often came home drunk, struggling to act sober.

I assume she was drunk when the truck hit her.

Mother's Lover by Mitsuharu Noto

I need to talk to you.

I'm Shigeko Momoi's daughter.

You must be Oriko.

What can I do for you?

It's about my mother.

I live nearby. We can talk at my house.

It's better than the street.

Please, I don't want you seeing my mother anymore.

What she's doing is disgusting and inappropriate.

I want you to leave her alone.

These days there are different ways to be a filial child.

I know what you mean.

So you'll leave her?

I don't know.

To a daughter, this may sound cruel,

but it's between us two.

I can't promise that I will leave your mother.

Oriko, is that you? Are you back?

You frightened me.

Didn't you hear me just now?

Dinner is ready.

The fish isn't cooked yet.

I'm not good at broiling.

I don't have the patience.

Can you do it yourself?

You just hate the smell.

You don't like getting it on your clothes. That's why.

And your lover wouldn't like that.

Oriko, just what are you driving at?

I spoke to Mitsuharu today.

You did? Did he come to see you?

No, I went to him.

Why did you do that?

I asked him not to see you anymore.

And what did he say?

Some rubbish about filial duties.

What's so funny?

No offense, it's just so typical of him.

He's quite witty and likes to make fun of people.

Mother!

Why are you shouting at me?

I can hear you just fine.

Mother, have you ever considered my position even once?

Of course.

I've raised you all by myself since your father died.

That's not what I mean.

That's what every mother would do.

I know that you despise me.

I can't blame you.

Yes, I've been careless. I don't mind admitting it.

Don't twist what I say.

You're just fishing for sympathy.

I know because I have the same traits.

Did Mother come here often?

No, only two or three times.

She never stayed overnight.

You read her poems?

I remember one.

Autumn leaves, tinted with flame My life, a summer past

Let me flame before the frosty winter comes

Your mother was honest with herself.

She was pure.

Mitsuharu...

Why did you leave my mother?

I didn't. She left me.

I can't believe she did that.

She probably thought the age gap was too large, that's why.

She never showed up again after that one incident.

Why didn't you ever go and visit her?

Didn't you tell me not to?

If you hadn't let her slip away,

she might not have died so miserably.

No, that's not an accusation.

I've only recently started to understand her melancholy.

Not getting along with your husband?

How did you know?

You suddenly turn up here telling me all about your mother.

It's a classic symptom.

No children?

Two years ago I had one.

But it was stillborn.

It was pointless of me to ask, I suppose.

Mitsuharu, why didn't you ever get married?

Once you got married, there was no one left for me.

Stop joking.

I'm not.

Because of the connection with your mother,

I could never ask you to marry me.

Your mother did ask me to, though.

But I was never able to do that.

I shouldn't wonder.

Have I offended you?

No...

I have to go.

Please remember her fondly.

Yuko just got back.

Hold on, please.

Hello, Sis. I ran into your husband in town.

He won't be home tonight again.

Thanks for telling me.

Want to come over?

We're having a party.

No thank you.

You're far too rigid. Find yourself another man.

That might keep my brother from straying.

I'm the only woman among all these men.

Come on over.

No, I can't. I'd only spoil your fun.

You really are helpless.

Join us? A good distraction for you.

I can't dance like that.

You'll learn soon.

Just ride the rhythm.

Come on, I'll teach you how.

Watch out for him. He's known as the widow killer.

I'm not a widow yet.

Not far off, though.

Your brother must be stupid.

She's beautiful.

Nasty, nasty!

Be careful, Sis.

He's a fast mover.

Really? He certainly doesn't appear to be.

I'm honored to be so trusted.

C'mon, join us.

It's way too early to go to bed.

Or we'll dance here all night.

I've wanted to meet you, too.

I thought you'd refuse to see me.

No, I have no reason to avoid you.

That's good to know.

But marriage without love is a sin.

I wouldn't stand for it.

You're saying he loves you?

Yes, all he needs from me is my love.

And all I need is his love.

His social status and fortune are just impediments.

You're in no position to accuse me.

I know why you came here to see me.

You want me to leave him, right?

If that was the case, I wouldn't have come.

Then you wanted to see what a slut I am?

That's part of it, yes.

But you appear much more refined than I expected.

Thanks for the compliment!

I need a favor from you.

Go ahead, fire away.

Will you ask Furuhata to divorce me?

We're only hurting each other like this.

You aren't jealous?

- No. - Really?

Perhaps that's why he thinks I'm coldhearted.

It shows how far apart we've grown.

I must refuse.

How could I say such a miserable thing to him?

What are you doing here?

This isn't funny.

How refreshing!

Let's go!

Aren't they cold?

They'll be fine.

Yuko, where are you going?

Your mother lived in a world of such purity,

a man like me could never even imagine it.

What was the age difference between you?

Twelve years.

One cycle of the zodiac.

I've come to think what she did wasn't despicable.

Is that because I've become an adult?

I think she was happy that you were her last man.

I hardly think so.

Why is that? What do you mean?

I think you'll find I wasn't the last man in her life.

You mean she had another man?

Yes.

Who was he? Tell me.

That would be too cruel.

I don't care.

Look, I won't get upset whatever you tell me.

I'm eager to learn everything I can about her.

It doesn't reflect very well on me, though.

By then, she'd left me and taken up with another man.

Who was it?

I don't know his name.

I think she met him in town.

He was a manual laborer. Road construction, I think it was.

Why would she go with a man like that?

I also got upset when I heard.

I have my pride and my vanity as a man.

Your mother was seen wandering around drunkenly with him,

on the day of the accident.

After the accident, he just walked off and left her.

How can I meet him?

He moves around from job to job.

It'll be hard to track him down.

I shouldn't have mentioned it.

Is he the man who tried to rape your sister?

Well, I really can't be sure.

But you pressed charges.

Actually, it was too dark to see his face clearly.

We're questioning your sister.

She says it wasn't rape.

You saw them right?

Yes.

She says she was willing.

What do you say?

If Yuko says so, that must be the case.

Victims tend to try and hide the fact of rape.

Is he going to be prosecuted?

Depends on your sister.

First, we'll need your statement.

You are Oriko Furuhata, 31 years old.

Your husband is president of Furuhata Securities.

Yes.

The chauffeur is back.

He knows where Yuko is?

Yes, she's in Chigasaki.

You're quite sure?

Yes, he saw her go into an old house by the beach.

I see. Thank you.

How long do you intend to keep this up?

Why don't you answer me?

It's simple.

It really is simple.

Until I feel your love for me.

You think I don't know?

Even after a month's abstinence,

you've never wanted to sleep with me.

You're never jealous when I stay out all night.

Because you don't love me.

Nothing I do has the slightest effect on you.

You met Kayo.

You saw that she's ordinary, nothing special.

But she does respect me.

And as long as she continues to respect me,

she's far preferable to you.

That's enough!

I haven't finished yet!

There's no point continuing.

I want a divorce.

No way!

Your idea of marriage was totally unrealistic in the first place.

You wanted money and your freedom.

And you received an abundance of both from me.

No reason to divorce.

With you, I'm always in limbo.

Only because that's what you've chosen.

Do you really think that one day I will come to respect you?

Of course not.

You'll find yourself a lover.

I won't mind.

I can live with that.

Don't you have anything to say?

You want me on my knees apologizing?

You're far too proud for that.

Yes, what is it?

There's a gentleman here to see Miss Yuko.

She's in Tokyo.

I said that, but he still wants to see someone in the family.

Who is he?

He lives in that house near the beach.

What should I say?

Ask him to leave.

Is that you?

I can smell you.

A heady perfume.

You haven't been by recently, so I went to see you.

What are you doing? Come here.

That's what you want, right?

Who are you?

Who are you?

I came to talk to you.

I know you.

I was here the day...

... you tried to rape Yuko.

You're a friend of that rich girl?

I know that you came to my house today.

Because she hasn't been to see me recently.

You object?

Please do not see Yuko again.

Is that what she wants?

She'll come, even if you try to stop her.

She likes it far too much to stop.

Stop talking like that!

It's what a man and a woman do.

You know that.

You knew I'd be here alone.

Are you threatening me?

No need to.

Please stop seducing Yuko.

Say you'll never see her again.

May I help you?

I heard that Mitsuharu is currently away.

Where is he now?

In Manazuru, on business.

- Manazuru? - Yes.

He's making a sculpture in a quarry there.

When will he return?

Not until after summer.

He'll be away for so long?

Is it an urgent matter?

No, not at all.

The woman at your house was beautiful.

You mean Yoriko?

Who is she?

A widow, a relative.

You know many widows.

Don't say it like that.

She's about to remarry.

She's just keeping house for me.

Why didn't you tell me about going to Manazuru?

Is it my duty to tell another man's wife?

You're right. It is rather strange.

Still not getting along with your husband?

Impossible, is it?

Furuhata hates me.

Some men are like that.

He thinks of me as being one of his possessions.

His property?

He possesses other women too.

I know of at least one other.

You're both blessed with lovers.

You don't sympathize?

No, I don't.

For someone like me, who has nothing,

you appear to be quite free.

I don't want that kind of freedom.

Mitsuharu, You've become quite tanned.

Something's happened to you.

Should the lover of your late mother hear you out?

Yes, but not here.

I have...

... become just like my mother.

I've done exactly what she did.

I don't understand.

What have you done?

A stranger...

A working man...

I made love to him.

How could you be so stupid?

As I said, I'm just like Mother was.

To get back at your husband?

That could be it.

But then again, perhaps not.

You came here to tell me that?

Do you expect me to listen to that without protest?

You're so insensitive.

I'm a man who was discarded by your mother.

Yes, she betrayed me.

That stranger she went with...

What do you think he means to me?

You'd never understand.

You're just revisiting that same old pain on me.

You're poking a stick into an old wound.

Just leave me alone.

Every day, under a scorching sun,

I project my will onto a silent block of stone.

Why did you have to interfere?

I didn't mean to hurt you.

I only wanted to find myself again.

To reclaim my real self from my husband and from you.

From me?

When did I cause you to suffer?

You did! You just didn't notice.

Once I became jealous about you and my mother.

That's natural. Any daughter would.

No, as a woman.

Only now do I realize I was jealous as a woman.

You should leave Furuhata.

Or you'll ruin yourself like your mother did.

I have already.

No, you still have time.

Does that mean you'll accept me?

Please don't touch me.

That's just the thing that would provoke me...

... to go and be with that man again.

I just read your poem.

'Neath the summer sky, My secret love for you

How it gushes like a fountain

This is a love poem. Who is "you?"

Obviously not my brother.

It's just a poem, that's all.

Is that right?

What about the man in Manazuru?

Yuko, how did you know about that?

I rushed all the way home to tell you.

My brother knows.

You were careless.

We have a company-owned cottage there.

One of the employees spotted you.

My brother asked me what I knew.

He was so jealous, like a monster.

Then I must thank you.

You act like nothing happened.

Women gain strength when driven into a corner.

But he'll never agree to a divorce.

He's threatened to leave me in limbo.

He's just the type.

He also said my having an affair wouldn't change his mind.

If your husband thought it was I who was your lover,

he'd surely be quite disappointed at your choice.

I saw her at Manazuru Station, staying at your place.

Yoriko the "widow. "

When did she arrive?

This morning.

She just brought my laundry.

You're lying.

She stayed overnight.

You never thought about me.

Yes, I did.

Have you been seeing Yoriko a long time?

My answer will only upset you.

Will it make me hateful?

Some things are better left unsaid.

What you told me last time, about that man,

it still pains me.

Better you never told me.

Have you been with him since then?

Who are you?

How dare you just walk in!

Get out!

Who are you?

What's going on here?

You broke into my room.

Why should I answer you?

Oriko is my wife.

Even if she is your wife,

you should have knocked on the door.

You have something to hide!

Oriko! Open this door now!

You, make her come out.

If your wife doesn't want to, I can't make her.

You know who I am? You slept with my wife!

Take that accusation back!

All your presumptions about Oriko and me are totally unfounded.

You think I believe you?

That's your problem.

All right, I'll hear you out.

In my room. Bring Oriko too.

It's all right. You can come out.

He must have bribed the manager to get the master key.

Have the manager come here this instant!

I never imagined he was your husband.

He was in the dining room last night.

He tried to catch us red-handed.

No man could remain calm,

after seeing his wife enter another man's room.

Come in.

Have a drink.

No thanks.

It's an unpleasant matter, so let's keep it short.

You've certainly got some nerve.

I'm her husband, so I have a right to know.

Where did you sleep together the first time?

Let me ask you something first.

Don't you bear responsibility for pushing her to this stage?

That's not your concern!

Then why should I answer your questions?

The only thing we should be talking about is divorce.

Can you afford the likes of her?

She'll get nothing from me.

That's none of your business.

I'll never divorce her.

You still think you're married?

I gave Oriko my consent to have affairs with other men.

This is not a love affair.

Oriko, what do you say?

Answer me!

- I want a divorce. - No need.

That is all I have to say.

That's enough!

Don't you understand that your wife no longer loves you?

Because she hates me,

that proves she's still mine.

You'll never get her!

Oriko, when did you first sleep with him?

- Stop it! - You shut up!

I'm asking my wife.

Oriko, answer me.

Should be easy for one as cold as you.

I have never slept with him.

I know that you...

... will find that hard to believe.

But it's true.

There is nothing between us.

But I'm worse than you think.

I'm the lowest of women.

Once, I even...

... slept with a total stranger.

Not Mitsuharu, it was a man you don't know.

That man...

I never even knew his name.

He was a construction worker on the new road.

I eagerly went to him by my own choice.

Not because I hate you.

I didn't intend to hurt you.

But I...

... willingly threw myself into his arms.

That's it.

That's all I have to say to you.

He's gone.

After what you said, he just gave up.

You disappointed him.

Take me.

Will you break off your relationship with her?

The widow, Yoriko.

She's getting married in autumn.

It will be a natural breakup.

No...

Promise me now that you will end it.

You'll probably be shocked to hear this.

I was careless.

The statue was heavier than I thought.

I got the balance wrong.

I'm just glad you're okay.

Only my tongue is okay.

But I can't move my body.

Does it hurt?

The medicine has taken effect.

I don't feel anything.

I'll stay with you from now on.

How ironic to be crushed by my own work.

What about the statue?

It broke when it fell.

It's still sitting there in the quarry.

It took you the whole summer to make.

I'll have another chance.

Maybe you should rest.

The spinal cord has been damaged.

You can see it here... on these x-rays.

Will he ever walk again?

Yes, he should manage to.

But he will have trouble with the nerves.

What does that mean?

There's major damage.

It will affect different parts of the body.

He could very well become impotent.

There's no guarantee either way.

Since it's essentially a breakdown of the nervous system,

there's a possibility that he could recover.

Does he know the diagnosis?

The doctor told you everything, right?

He said I'd probably end up impotent, didn't he?

There's also a chance you'll recover.

You can still go back to your husband.

But I won't.

You'll gamble the rest of your life on a mere chance?

The way I feel about you is nothing like a gamble.

I may never be able to walk again.

Though the heat of summer passion fills me still,

This flower, still vital, resigns herself to fate

Make sure your brother sees this.

Certainly.

It's the one thing you will leave us with.

THE END