Original subtitles

SHARA

Image : YAMAZAKI Yutaka

Lighting : SATO Yuzuru

Sound : MORI Eiji

Will it work?

Yes. It's just charcoal.

Producer : NAGASAWA Yoshiya

It's working.

Music: UA

Written and directed by KAWASE Naomi

Look, it's clean.

But it's all black.

- Black like ink. - It's true.

It's all black.

Shun?

Where are you going?

I don't know.

Shun...

Where is Kei?

Kei's not here.

Was he with you?

Come on, answer.

He's gone.

He's gone.

Where?

Over there.

- That way. - What do you mean, gone?

- Let's all look for him - Let's go look for him.

- Could the gods have taken him? - How's that?

Where is Kei?

Hi, son.

Shun...

listen.

We're getting together tonight to get ready for the festival.

- At 8 o'clock. - OK.

Don't forget.

Patrons are important...

and it's nice to have the means...

but let's not forget the starting point.

We have to keep up people's interest.

The festival's original format is essential.

When we started out, we had nothing...

and it's not a bad thing to be more comfortable, but...

When we launched this festival of Basara, we had to invent everything.

The public didn't know how the dancers were judged.

But this is the fourth edition and people know the rules.

They can guess which teams will win prizes.

A street festival is not just a dance contest...

that runs along the streets.

That would just be a simple competition.

The issue is to find out if we can bring life to the streets...

in a way that makes everyone happy.

We could improve the sound conditions.

Actually, it all depends on the energy...

that the dancers will bring to the parade.

We absolutely have to create an atmosphere...

that will transport the spectators.

Everyone must contribute, including the public.

The overall result...

will depend on that.

- That's absolutely essential. - There's the parade of dancers...

the dance numbers on stage and the people watching.

The combination of all that determines the success of Basara.

It's not just the dancers in the streets or on stage.

We need the streets... the parade and the stage.

- How important is the stage? - Very important.

Of course. We know that.

Shoko is with us.

Thank you all for being here.

Good luck for the festival.

- Still so pretty. - Just like her daughter.

Let's not exaggerate.

- How old is she? - Seventeen.

The same age as your son, Aso.

That's true.

He's very quiet. Does he drink?

No way!

- He must drink at home! - Not at all.

No sake for him.

In any case, our...

actual motive in creating the festival of Basara...

is to have everyone take part in a festival...

unlike any that's been in Nara.

A different festival. That was the original idea, no?

That was it. Everyone participates instead of just watching.

That was the idea.

Now, it's the fourth time... we must go back to the original idea.

I know there isn't a lot of time left...

- but let's keep that in mind. - That's very important.

Aso, you've already imposed this wish on the stage...

and on the competition.

Let's see about that next time.

- It's not just me. - Of course.

Everyone has their place, their position...

we have to keep that in mind.

Our roots from the very beginning.

Let's not forget them.

Let's discuss it again at the closing night dinner...

with clearer heads.

Good morning, grandma.

Good day.

Good morning.

- Good morning, Taku - Good morning.

She said "Good day" to me.

It's because it's already as hot as noontime.

This hot in the morning...

- is it going to be another heat wave? - I'm afraid so.

She asked me how many years had gone by...

Anyone here?

- Yes. - Coming.

I'll go.

I'm coming.

- Careful. You'll fall! - No, no. I'm fine.

Here I am.

It's been a while.

Hello.

Anything new?

Well...

Kei...

anything new? Have you found him?

Yes.

We need to verify...

Can you come with me to the police station.

You did find him?

And I need to verify?

Yes.

- Right now? - Yes.

OK. Would you like to...

- wait for me outside? - Take your time.

Where are you going?

Where are you going?

Stay here.

- Stay here. - What is it?

It's not true.

Stay home! It's true!

- It's not true! - What's the matter with you?

It's not true! Not true!

- I tell you it is! - What is it?

What's going on?

- What are you doing, Shun? - It's not true!

Sit down.

Sit down.

You get too excited...

about everything.

- Just now... - What?

I didn't hear anything.

They found him.

I don't need it.

Get out of my house. Go on, out!

Get out of here!

Hello.

A really friendly child, that one.

Let's face things.

It's time.

Listen...

we have a visitor.

We need sake.

Can you bring us a bottle of sake?

Just one for the road... I feel like one.

I'm sorry.

Shun.

Good morning.

Are you here?

Hello, Yu.

Say...

you can play the piano?

What were you playing?

It doesn't have a name. I just wrote it.

You can write?

You know how to write music...

Well... anyway...

I brought you some watermelon.

I'll put it here.

There.

Tell me... would you come run some errands with me?

Would you like to?

OK?

OK.

- Yu. - Oh, mom.

Hi, Shun.

I'm getting my clogs fixed. They need new straps.

Go ahead. Mine are worn out again.

- Can you fix them? - No problem.

Put these on for now.

- What about yours? - The front support is loose.

He's replacing it with a stronger one.

This one's done.

- You're wearing them for the festival? - Yes. It's for Basara.

There aren't nicer ones? There's nothing else you like?

Something flashier.

- A bright color. - You think?

These red ones...?

Red? But he's already fixed these.

- That's true. So you're keeping them? - I like their carrot color.

Carrot? You don't say. They're cute, it's true.

Customers always look at the clogs on sale...

and compare them to theirs.

It happens all the time.

They try on every color. It's normal to make comparisons.

Put them side by side.

- They're pretty. - It's true. They're pretty.

Do you want them?

- Yes. - We shouldn't.

No problem.

- Shall we do it? - OK, agreed.

They'll be yours in a minute.

I'm sorry.

- Forgive us. - Not at all.

Say...

I'm going home.

You want to go with him?

No, that's okay.

Yu...

you know...

actually... your real mother lives somewhere else.

Once upon a time, a long time ago...

there was a young girl who loved her charming older brother.

She loved him with all her heart, much more than anyone else.

She had gotten it into her head...

that she would live with him until death.

Her brother could never have any other wife.

When he came of marrying age...

the brother found himself a charming wife.

Wishing nothing more than her brother's happiness...

the young girl sincerely wished them a happy marriage.

And one fine day, the couple...

gave birth to a jewel of a baby.

She was an adorable child...

with a gift for making everyone happy.

It was a "super special" baby.

Meanwhile...

to each his fate.

The brother had always loved adventure.

One day, he went off and never came back.

This happened seventeen years ago.

The abandoned wife...

started to get ill.

She couldn't swallow anything.

She was weakening quickly.

Unable to bear seeing her like this, the parents and their families...

got together and decided that the "super special" baby...

would be entrusted to the father's young sister...

to be raised and educated.

They probably thought that...

without the child, the young wife would rebuild her life.

And all's well that ends well.

The end?

What?

I've always wanted to tell you.

And you're all grown up now.

I understand.

But you really have a strange way of putting things, mom.

It's true. I do express myself oddly.

By the way...

those clogs...

they're my older brother's.

So, they're your father's.

- You wore them all this time... - Yes, I wear them all the time

We go?

OK?

Let's keep going.

What is it?

Praised be the name of Buddha.

Praised be the name of Buddha.

Taku darling...

would you like some coffee?

Iced.

It's so hot.

Shun!

Where are you going?

He's gone.

Kei is not here.

Was he with you?

You know...

I had a brother.

They found him.

It's not true. Not true.

Shun, what are you doing?

Missed.

Can I help?

What?

Can I help you?

Yes...

but I don't know much about this.

I only know how to water.

A morning tomato.

Say...

this painting...

who do you think it is?

Shun, listen...

what I want...

is to face things.

I've thought...

about a bunch of things.

There are some we can forget...

some we must not forget...

and then

there are some we must forget.

I've really thought about all this. Do you see?

And then...

I've tried to divide things into different categories.

After thinking long and hard...

I have just about...

managed to sort things out.

And it's almost clear now.

So? What does it come to?

SHADOW

LIGHT

- Hello, Taku. - Hi.

- What are you doing? - Taking care of the flowers.

What is it?

Tell me, what are you doing tomorrow?

Tomorrow is a holiday.

- Are you going to Basara? - Of course.

So you're going to Basara.

So, tell me... could you go with my wife?

With Reiko? Yes. No problem.

Really?

OK... do you want her to come here, or will you go get her?

I'll go get her if you want.

I'll take of everything.

It's so hot.

- I'm off. - Where to?

Home.

Be careful.

You see...

women of the past...

would be taught to sew...

by their mother.

- I stuff if with cotton now? - That's it.

Put in a lot.

Start in the middle, here.

Stuff all the way to the tip.

Don't they say a match will protect from bad luck?

Yes.

That's it.

In that case...

I have to do it with all my heart.

Let's do it with all our heart.

Thank you for coming with me.

I wouldn't have come by myself.

In fact, Taku came to ask me yesterday.

Oh yes?

You aren't feeling tired?

It's good for me to walk.

Look, it's Yu!

Where? Oh yes, there, in front.

That little Yu...

she is so pretty.

Listen to me everyone... The mic is not working.

Thank you to everyone for your participation.

Thank you.

I'm the president of the organizing committee, Aso Taku.

Thank you for coming.

I would like you all to remember...

that Basara is a unique event...

outside of the everyday, an extraordinary moment...

during which each one of us can shine our brightest.

When you're offered the opportunity to shine, you must grab it...

because each of us is capable of it if we do it with all our heart.

I wish for the spirit of Basara to fill us more and more...

so that we can make it the most brilliant of festivals.

I will commit all my efforts to this goal

but I need your help in order to succeed.

Thank you to all, from the bottom of my heart.

Hurrah for Aso! Hurrah for Aso!

It's a portrait of Kei.

Here, this is for you.

It's you.

This one is me.

They're our good luck charms.

Let's keep them safely.

Thank you.

Hey, Aso.

There was a call from your house.

Your mother has had a problem.

Mom...

a problem?

What's going on?

Shoko.

I thought the baby was coming.

Did you do something?

You must have done something.

I called.

Contractions started a little while ago, but they're still far apart.

It's going to be a while and I was on my way to the garden.

Really, Taku, you're awfully quick to panic.

That Taku.

I was all upset.

I'm going to the garden.

I'll help you.

- Sorry. - It doesn't matter.

I'm going too.

Sorry.

It was too early.

I don't know the first thing about all this.

Reiko, did you plant everything?

- That's wonderful. - It really is.

Not at all. It's very simple.

Take a look at this.

White eggplants. They're great on the grill.

Won't they turn purple? They'll stay like this?

I pampered them...

like my own children.

I hope you'll have a beautiful baby.

It'll be here soon. Be strong.

I think this is it... it's coming.

Are you okay?

Do you want me to rub your back?

Do you feel any pain?

Are you okay?

Come on, let's go home.

Can you make it?

Can you walk?

I forgot my hat.

Yu, pick this up.

Let's go home.

Let's hurry.

It's okay.

We still have time.

I see the baby's head.

Here comes the head. This big.

One more push.

Take a deep breath.

How much more?

It's almost over.

Breathe deep.

Here is where it hurts the most.

It's not over yet. Keep breathing.

This is it, you're dilating.

Relax.

Breathe.

It's still very narrow.

This is the key moment.

It's awfully energetic.

But its mother is dead tired.

It's very narrow. Don't push too hard.

Go on, breathe.

This is it. Here's the head.

The head is out!

Here it comes! Here it comes!

The time is now 5:34.

Come on, into my arms.

Here it is.

There. Congratulations.

It's a strong, magnificent little boy.

- A boy? - A boy.

He's so big!

Reiko, it's a boy.

He has a nice willie.

Are you crying?

Are you swimming?

He's so husky!

Under the chin, under the arms...

The sun rises.

Here, hold him.

- How was it? - Do you feel okay?

Will it work?

Yes, it's just charcoal.

It's working.

It's clean.

But it's all black.

- Black like ink. - It's true. It's all black.

Shun : FUKUNAGA Kohei

Yu : HYODO Yuka

Taku, the father : NAMASE Katsuhisa

Reiko, the mother : KAWASE Naomi

Shoko, Yu's mother : HIGUCHI Kanako

Written and directed by KAWASE Naomi

Translated from the French by rentboy for KG