Original subtitles

My real name is Makoto Segawa.

But no-one calls me Makoto any more.

Shizuru Satonaka...

Why I came to be called by this name...

...why I started using it...

I've never spoken about it.

Even if I did...

...I don't think anyone would believe me.

But it's true. Every bit of it.

That day I got fired as a photographer.

For such a stupid reason.

The client rejected all my photographs

for an ad for some loan sharks.

Are you alright?

I knew this was going to happen.

The crappy third-rate model who was also the client's girlfriend,

didn't like my pictures.

I could've been killed!

I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you on the next job.

There'll be no 'next' job!

Your company's never going to work again!

That hurt...

How dare you treat your clients like that?!

What? Some 'client' you are!

Huh? I dare you say that again.

Amateur, amateur, amateur!

And that's how I lost my job as a photographer.

Man, that hurts.

I'd left university, avoided a proper job...

...became a professional photographer.

I worked my ass off, and this was the result.

Memories always sneak up on you out of the blue.

That was the day, I received a letter from the girlfriend

I'd split up with three years before.

What's up? I'm the same as ever.

It's been three years already.

I hope this letter reaches you.

I'm in New York.

I longed to see the world of Basquiat and Jarmusch, that you told me about.

I longed to see the world of Basquiat and Jarmusch, that you told me about.

At first, all I saw was concrete...

But when I threw myself into it,

I found a world of 'wonder'.

Every street is like a movie set,

where a worldwide cast

plays out the drama of life.

"Memories always sneak up on you out of the blue"

"That's why I always carry a camera"

I didn't want to lose that memory of your words.

So I started taking pictures.

Nolita, Harlem, Soho, Bronx, Hell's Kitchen.

If I see anything interesting...

...just like you taught me: Focus and press the shutter.

I was playing around, giving the photos to friends.

I was playing around, giving the photos to friends.

But one day, an editor really liked them.

Can you believe, I'm putting on an exhibition?

It's you I want to see it most.

Maybe you're busy, but I really want you to come.

Looking at her photos

I was surprised,

entertained,

moved.

She'd captured all the wonders

She'd captured all the wonders

she'd seen on the streets

then conveyed them with incredible power.

There was no way

I could take pictures like these.

Here we go.

Yeah, like the magazine 'An-An'

You know it?

We're doing a piece on student fashions...

"That's so cold."

Don't talk in English, wierdo.

He's overdosed on the Queen's English.

Can you watch movies without subtitles?

Terminator 2, Independence Day...?

"Difficult."

That is so sad.

What're you doing?

Nobody talks like that.

Put aside the cares of this world.

You're really with 'An-An'?

Hey, what's your major?

French Lit.

Cool. I love Shakespeare.

Hey, Makoto!

Is it really 'An-An'?

With a girl like that?

What's he up to?

What a smile!

Give us a bit more.

Fantastic. Perfect.

That's really beautiful.

Your pictures really are good.

You think?

Hot Co-Eds Share Sex Secrets.

What the hell's this?

It DOES say 'An-An'!

'An-An... An'

Stop chanting!

Help... help me!

In that gorgeously rich backlight

of the early Spring sun,

she was stunning.

I met Shizuru.

Would you take my picture?

We'd only just met

but all I could think was...

...I’ve found the one.

LOVE COLLAGE

Okay?

Sure.

It should be interesting.

You've got a motor-drive?

Yes, I do.

Cute hands.

Let's get our picture taken.

Here?

Now?

Is that a problem?

No, but...

Sorry to make you wait.

Kissy kissy. Shut your eyes.

Make sure you get it.

Asshole.

Get out of here.

C'mon.

What're you doing? Run!

What the hell was that about?

Huh?

Well?

Did you see the rainbow?

Hang on a sec...

Wasn't that a little 'wonder'?

What?

When your heart races...

when you're over the moon, scared stiff... that feeling of wonder.

It's none of my business.

Did you get it?

The photo?

If they're any good, I want one of the punch

to give to my friend.

Your friend?

That jerk messed her around.

Serves him right.

Can I have this?

What's your number?

Memories always sneak up on you.

I was the only one who didn't know...

...but Shizuru was notorious throughout the college.

She was a total enigma.

She had connections everywhere

and every guy was after her.

- Shizuru Satonaka - Present.

Did you answer for Shizuru?

She asked me to.

You know her?

She's off doing research.

Research?

Someone said she writes for a magazine.

Something over in L.A.

Really?

I guess so. She lives in a great place.

A posh apartment downtown.

She's a real puzzle that one.

Stop crying.

Crying won't change a thing.

There.

Catch!

What a view!

Take my picture.

Go on, take it.

I'm in the circus!

I'm in the circus...

Pretty good, huh?

So these are real photos.

It's like a magic door.

Magic door?

Like in that kid's story.

Open it up and there's a whole new world.

You just step through it.

Reach through, through the frame...

Through to the smells and sounds of the city.

In that place, I feel like...

...I’ll find myself again.

It's a lovely picture.

Just like a little kid singled out for praise by his teacher,

my heart soared.

I felt like I had glimpsed

the meaning of why I was born...

...what I was here on this earth to do.

Are you sure you got it?

Are you fed up?

Done enough yet?

Okay, my turn.

Let me take you.

It's all blurry. What do I do?

Focus it.

This one here?

Which one's the bad guy?

What are you worried about?

Don't be embarrassed.

Is this a new jacket?

You bring a thermos?

Wife get that for you?

I guess you don't want to hear it...

...but there's something I want you to know.

What are you doing?

What?

I made those copies.

Thank you. How much?

Forget it.

Why are you mad?

Is it true you're dating Shizuru?

Not really dating...

She just models for me now and then.

What is it?

Dr. Ichiyama's English Lit. Class is cancelled, right?

You know why?

He took Shizuru on a trip to Hokkaido.

For a dirty weekend.

You saw them?

Yeah.

Hey!

Don't leave me all alone.

What's up?

Nothing special.

What's that?

Forget it.

That's not an answer.

Let it go.

Why are you being so strange?

It's from my Mom's grave.

My Mother was always on her own.

But she had you.

Sure she did.

But my Dad was never around.

He was married to someone else.

I was the end of her happiness.

Don't say that.

It's true.

I was born and she went from adored mistress

to unwed mother.

I was a burden, so she was dumped.

Sorry to drag you into it...

It's okay.

What?

There's talk about you and Dr. Ichiyama.

You must think I'm disgusting...

Not at all.

It's okay. You don't have to lie.

I'm not lying.

The thing about Ichiyama...

...is that he's my Father.

I spread the rumors

about us being lovers, to get back at him.

The only one to be hurt by that...

...is you.

It was the sourest tangerine I'd ever eaten.

Like it tasted of her pain.

Thank you for listening.

Don't go.

Stay longer.

How much longer?

'til we finish the tangerines.

She moved in with me the next day.

'Morning.

Your hair's a disaster.

And for today's quiz...

Will 'Mayo-Noodles' pass the taste test?

No way.

And the correct answer is...

Teach me how to take photos.

Teach me how to take photos.

Find something interesting.

I can't focus.

That's exposure. Try the next one.

What are you doing?

Get down.

No.

Get down!

Not in a million years!

Then I'll drag you off!

I'm really sorry.

Forget it.

I can't believe it's fixed.

I nearly gave up.

The shutter didn't seem to go off.

It wasn't completely dry.

Like when you dry out a cellphone...

I worried about making it up to you.

He's getting away.

Be careful.

Now's your chance.

You should talk to them.

Look at me!

Let me have it.

So?

They're amazing.

Really?

Am I a genius?

But this one's my favorite.

Don't flatter yourself.

It was the first one on the roll.

You switched cameras.

No, I didn't.

The camera shop called.

They can't fix the water damage.

You didn't need to lie.

Sorry.

Bastard.

Bastard?

A bastard and a jerk.

A bastard and a jerk?

A bastard, a jerk, boring, a bully, lazy, over-sexed with smelly feet.

Wait a minute.

You didn't have to be so kind.

I wasn't being kind.

Thanks.

Here you go.

Shizuru's pictures.

Makoto.

Photo Contest

Let's hope we both pass.

It's 'win' not 'pass'.

You're not as dumb as you look.

Get lost.

Two... three...

Makoto Segawa...

We are sorry to inform you...

Shizuru Satonaka...

Special Commendation...

I'm home.

Can't believe school's over...

Lucky you, getting a job in TV.

I didn't get a single offer.

What are you doing, Makoto?

I'm going to be a photographer.

Professionally?

Will you apprentice with someone?

I guess...

...if you have it on your name card, you're already a pro, right?

I don't think it's that simple.

I'm home.

It's a good idea.

I'm sure you can do it.

You make it sound so easy.

I didn't win an award or anything.

I'm not saying it's easy.

I don't want pity.

An award-winning genius wouldn't understand.

We got the award together.

You won it.

I never wanted an award.

Then why the hell apply?

Just trying to show me up?

I wanted to share your world.

Breathe the same air, see the same things.

Laugh together, be moved together.

I wanted to be with you forever.

Just the two of us.

Together forever.

You're so far ahead of me.

What do you mean?

In a different world.

You don't want us to be together?

Although you may not believe me...

I really think you can become a pro.

Thank you.

I've got it.

We won't see each other until you become a pro.

No contact whatsoever.

Whatever.

You may not want to see me then but...

I'll wait for you.

I'm off, then.

And we never saw each other again.

March 7th, 2000

February 7th, 2003

There's a fracture...

...just here. It must hurt.

Even so, it's kind of rude...

provocative at best.

He's gone.

Yeah?

Hello, Makoto?

It's me.

But working in TV is so cool.

You're one of the top women in the field.

It's such a male-dominated world, though.

We're still not taken seriously.

I see your reports on TV all the time.

Really?

Shirahama tapes them.

Creepy.

Class reunions are all about

people boasting about themselves.

If you have nothing to boast about, you don't go.

I stuck out like a sore thumb.

Makoto.

You came after all.

You haven't changed.

Did you hear... about Shizuru?

I was in New York at the time, reporting.

She was killed, a year ago.

Don't talk bullshit.

I met the detective in charge,

by coincidence.

He confirmed her name and everything.

I got a letter from her today.

You're still in touch?

Must be someone else then.

There's no way she could have died.

No way.

Shit!

Before I knew what I was doing,

I was on a plane for New York

with nothing more than that single photograph of hers.

It's freezing.

It was my first time in New York

and it all seemed pretty quiet to me.

The scars from the tragedy of 9-11

were still much in evidence.

Despite civilization's progress, we never rid ourselves of war.

One collision...

...and bang, a gaping hole.

Let's take a picture.

Now me.

Say cheese.

Thinking about it... I didn't know anyone in New York.

How could I find her?

Gangsta

Peace

Health

Respect

Free Style

Just my luck.

He said his name was Cassius.

Some kind of artist with a taste for Japanese things.

Somehow I'd found a roof over my head

but was that a good thing or not?

Cassius was a 'priest'...

although one with a side line dealing marijuana on the side.

One priest-like thing about him...

...was that he treated poor people fairly.

Okay, he didn't do it for free, but...

The mystery...

...will be revealed.

What?