Original subtitles

Hero - MoviesMod.Town

In the beginning,

there was nothing.

Nothing

except God.

How long had God been around?

No one's ancient enough to know.

In short, the universe was rather empty, as you can see,

but that was just fine

because God didn't see or want anything.

God didn't have an interest in anything.

God didn't even care about being God.

Perhaps it would be best to think of God as a tube.

That's right, a tube.

I'll explain why.

All God could do was swallow, digest, and eject.

God's celestial sustenance came in and went out,

holding onto nothing.

A tube, basically!

LITTLE AMÉLIE

Based on The Character of Rain by Amélie Nothomb

The eyes of living creatures have an interesting property:

the gaze.

We don't say the ears have "listeners"

or that the nose has a "smeller" or a "sniffler"

but the eyes have a gaze.

What are eyes with a gaze as opposed to without?

There's a word for it:

life.

God did not have a gaze.

Your child is a vegetable.

Alarming, wouldn't you say?

Only, the child's parents were an optimistic sort.

Truth be told, they found the situation agreeable.

They already had two children,

two children who were very much alive,

so a quiet, little plant

was a gift, really.

That was God's greatest power:

God was unshakable.

No matter how many pilgrims came to visit,

all the tickling, volcanoes,

and not even the most ecstatic music

could faze God.

I know humans that would pay for this kind of power,

the power of serenity.

But everyone wanted God to show a sign of life,

of movement,

of anything at all really,

but all God did was keep on doing nothing,

so, over time,

people stopped noticing God.

God was almost entirely forgotten about.

Days,

weeks,

centuries passed!

Stop! Here.

JAPAN August 13th, 1969

What happened that day... remains a mystery.

Some experts deny the role of accidents in evolution.

They want a reason for everything,

only there are times when all it takes is a mere speck of dust,

the tiniest of all specks of dust,

to change everything.

Happy birthday to you!

- Can I blow out the candles? - It's my turn!

- What's going on? - Mom, I'm scared.

It's just a small earthquake! It's very common in Japan.

Kids, under the table!

God was endowed with a gaze.

And a body too.

What could God do now?

Was this a good thing?

- Honey! - Are you OK, baby?

"Baby"?

Who was this "baby"?

God wasn't a baby.

God immediately started speaking to set the record straight,

declaring in God's celestial-tone...

There you go!

It's a miracle!

That's great, sweetie!

No, it wasn't great! Not one bit!

- Great job, sweetheart! - Their lips formed words

while God's only made sounds!

What should we do?

I know, I'll call my mom.

Patrick!

Not for lack of trying,

all God could do was shout in despair.

God's body was a prison.

Mom! She threw her toy again!

Yeah, it went through the window!

Stop it!

Ohayou gozaimasu.

Arigatou, Kashima-san. Care to come in?

My apologies, we're in over our heads today.

I'm at my wit's end. This is unlivable.

I can't rehearse, and look at you.

A diplomat the worse for wear.

Guess who brought this back.

No...

Yes, our beloved landlady.

She scared me half to death.

It's like she was waiting outside.

Did she see the window?

What will she think of us?

She mentioned a girl who can help us

whose family worked for hers before the war.

I'm so embarrassed.

It's a good idea. Call her.

Yeah, I'm getting it!

Ohayou Ni...

Mom?

I'm here!

It's great to see you!

Though I think you were expecting this young woman.

Ah, Nishio-san.

Oh, my little darlings!

You're so big!

My tooth is loose, look!

Your smile could kill.

Who's that lady?

Mom, kids,

this is Nishio-san.

She's here to help out a bit.

Come in.

Dozo! Dozo! Make yourself at home.

Let me take this.

Granny, did you bring us chocolates?

- Why, of course! - Thanks!

- And new comics? - Yes.

You don't look so great.

- We stopped expecting you. - I had to get my affairs in order.

I mean, look at this excellent suit.

Yes, but it's been six months...

Nice to meet you. Danièle.

A thousand thanks for the helping hand.

Mother-in-law?

My sweet!

You look a bit disheveled yourself.

There's my little treasure.

More like little monster.

Nishio-san, I'll show you around.

It's changed since your childhood.

Look in the bed.

Wait for me here, children.

I'll take care of this.

Hi there, you.

I'm your granny.

Great to finally meet you.

Aren't you crabby?

I know what you need.

I always keep a little pick-me-up in my bag.

It's white chocolate from Belgium, where you come from.

Here. Try it.

A miracle transpired.

- Mom! Dad! - Come see!

What's going on?

The joy of white chocolate showed me that God...

was me.

Meet my good friend, Amélie.

That's how I was born at age two and a half

in the Kansai mountains

beneath my paternal grandmother's gaze

and by the grace of white chocolate.

How about champagne to celebrate?

I became joy.

Wherever there was joy,

there I was too.

Joy brought my body to life.

Chocolate awoke my every sensation.

In mere days,

I'd made up for lost time,

even though I didn't consider my time lost.

Humans are supposed to walk by two and a half.

Walking wasn't all that complicated.

You fall forward, catch yourself, then repeat.

And then...

there was running.

Running to freedom.

The word of bandits,

of superheroes!

Only, it was more exhausting.

Most importantly at age two and a half,

humans are supposed to talk.

What strange, long-necked creature could this be?

And how was it able to take something

and leave nothing?

Only a god could perform such miracles.

What could be more divine

than simply making things disappear?

In that moment, I found a kin.

Come along, Amélie.

- Let Nishio-san... - Vacuum.

- Mom, my snack! - Wait!

Patrick! Amélie just said her first word!

Great! What is it?

Vacuum.

Vacuum?

What a divine word! Great job, Amélie.

Try another word, Amélie.

Try "Mommy."

By all appearances, this meant a lot to them.

Mommy.

Great, Amélie!

That's me! I'm Mommy!

My turn!

Da-ddy.

- Daddy. - That's it! Great job!

Daddy!

What a way to react,

as if they needed me to say their names

to know they existed.

Stop it!

Juliette.

She said my name!

- Granny. - Oh, my little angel!

How marvelous!

My brother loved to torture me.

He'd spend whole afternoons reading comics while sitting on me.

- She won't say it! - What do I care? She's just a baby!

Give her time! She can only say a few words.

No, I can say a lot of things.

You...

You can talk?

Yup, always could.

She speaks like an empress!

What an astounding child.

She chooses her words.

Stop looking sour, my child.

Break out the champagne!

Good thing you were there, Granny.

You were the only one who saw who I really was.

We'll miss you, Granny.

You'll come back soon?

Yes, the next time I see you,

you'll have grown so much!

Look after your parents. They need you.

- Where's Amélie? - Yeah, where?

- I want to say goodbye. - I'll find her.

Hop in the car, we'll be late.

Good heavens!

What are you doing here, rascal?

Where are you off to?

To the land of white chocolate.

I'll miss you.

Couldn't find her.

There you are.

Gran's going to be late for her plane.

Take me away, driver.

Mom, will Gran be back soon?

I wouldn't say soon.

Belgium is very far away.

Across the world.

Across the world?

I don't want that!

Why isn't she staying? It's not fair.

You don't get it, she has to go home! Stop being a baby.

Stop it, André! Amélie, we don't hit.

She almost broke my camera!

Who cares? She doesn't know what that is.

- Quiet, you! - Knock it off!

Go to your rooms!

They didn't get it!

Belgium gave me white chocolate,

then took away my grandma,

the only one who treated me like a person.

It was unbearable!

I'm a yōkai!

Take a look at this.

This is Otoroshi,

a yōkai tasked with protecting the gods.

He tends to live in isolated retreats.

When people make mistakes

or misbehave,

he makes a great racket,

or even falls from a great height

to crush the wrong-doers.

His role is to teach the humans a lesson.

More!

There are lots of other yōkai.

We'll save them for next time.

Wanna help?

Arigatou, Amé-chan.

Nishio-san!

Open up.

Open up, everyone!

It was my first springtime ever.

Nature and I awoke together.

At my word, plants rejoiced all around.

Nishio-san!

Why are you here alone? It's early.

I want to read about monsters,

but I left the big book in the kitchen.

Let's go fetch it.

Hello, Kashima-san. I'm glad to see you again.

I wanted to thank you for this job.

Hello, Nishio-san.

Why are you out here with her?

We were by the pond.

Amélie came looking for me.

Don't waste your time on her.

Keep my property in order

and perform the duties my tenants aren't able to.

That's your job.

You're right, ma'am, but I'm helping them by watching Amélie.

This lady looked so sad.

Head back home. I'll be right there.

What was her problem?

With her severe lips

and sinister eyes?

The only way I could explain it

was that she refused to love me.

She should have taken after Nishio-san,

the font of happiness who enjoyed loving me.

Poor Kashima-san.

I think she suffered from being too reserved.

Amélie, where were you?

Dad, what's that?

Carp, the symbol of boys.

May is the month of the carp.

Why the month of May?

I don't know.

Why the month of boys?

That's a good question.

When's the month of girls?

I don't think there is one.

Why a carp?

Why do babies only ever ask why?

OK, Dad, I'm done.

Come on, sweetie. Let's get back.

It was so unfair.

Why a month for boys and not girls?

Not even a day for girls,

not even a symbol!

And, again, why a carp?

I want to see real carp!

I'm sure we can arrange that.

Let's ask Nishio-san. I bet she knows a place.

I didn't really want to leave my haven,

but I had to.

I needed to see carp to know why they symbolized my brother.

It's so beautiful!

We're almost there.

So, this was the house of carp?

Come, Juliette!

Where are the carp?

- Come on, Dad! - Easy!

I don't know, sweetie.

Look up there!

Come on, Amé-chan. It's this way.

Thanks, Nishio-san.

We'll be right there.

Just you wait, some of the carp are over 100 years old.

Are you OK, Amélie?

Carp are really ugly!

I've never found them pretty myself.

That's why they symbolize boys.

They're the worst!

Perhaps also because they have long whiskers!

The Japanese were right picking this dumb fish

to symbolize the uglier gender.

Amélie! Nishio-san!

Let's get home! It's raining!

Be right there!

Hurry, Amélie, or you'll melt!

Can't we stay?

I want to stay in the rain!

No surprise there, you are the rain.

"Amé" in Japanese means rain.

My name fit me so well.

Like the rain, I was exquisite and perilous,

benign and deadly,

silent and tempestuous.

Most importantly, I felt invincible.

I'll teach you to write your name at home.

I was the rain.

Last to the kitchen is a slow poke!

Take off your socks!

Show me, Nishio-san!

Show me how to write my name in Japanese.

You don't want to change?

You said once we're home.

You're right about that.

So, first you lift your finger.

- Like this? - Yes, excellent.

Get close to the window,

and I'll guide you.

First, a horizontal line, representing the sky.

Then you make a partial square,

then a vertical line from sky to earth,

and lastly, four little drops.

That's how to write "amé," the character of rain.

- I can't see it. - Hold on.

Is that better?

OK, now let's go get changed.

I always knew it,

only now there was no doubt.

I was Japanese.

That was the first time I saw my father cry.

He was like a giant baby.

Why are you crying, Dad?

Are you afraid of storms?

Sweetie, Daddy's crying because...

because his mom, your granny, left us.

She left for Belgium, but she'll be back.

No, Amélie.

This is different.

Granny has left us forever.

She's dead, Amélie.

I'm really sorry.

- Dead? - Yes, angel.

You're too young yet.

Play with your siblings. I'll be right there.

Death, I knew what that meant.

My sweet.

But that didn't mean I understood it.

My Granny had saved me from death, and then in no time,

it was her turn,

like a trade-off or something.

Only, why?

What's this?

It's a koma,

or top in Japanese.

Go on, try to do it with yours.

Watch this.

Like this.

Nishio-san, why do we die?

Why do we die?

Maybe because...

it's God's will.

God? I didn't want my grandmother to die.

What? Your grandmother is dead?

Yes, my mom told me.

Oh, that's terrible.

I'm so sorry.

I didn't know.

So, why do we die?

Because after you lead a long life, as your granny did,

you get tired.

It's like going to sleep.

It's a good thing.

What about young people dying?

Well...

you know, I saw a lot of death during the war.

Tell me about the war.

I don't think you want to hear that.

I do, come on! Please, tell me.

Very well.

I'll try.

It was long ago.

I was very young.

I was at breakfast with my parents and big sister when...

the bombs started to rain down,

and not for the first time in Kobe,

but that day,

I knew the bombs were for us.

And I wasn't wrong.

Right next to me,

a great blast rang out.

I couldn't believe I was still alive.

I tried to move my arms and legs,

but something was stopping me.

It took a while before I realized I was buried.

Oddly, I felt safe,

but I began to lack air.

So, I started digging,

digging, digging,

not knowing where I was going.

Then I perked up my ears.

I figured wherever I heard noise,

that's where life was.

Only I was wrong. All I found was death.

I lost my whole family that day.

I hope I'm not scaring you with my story.

Were you sad like my dad is?

Yes, but time heals many things.

My memory of my loved ones is still fresh

and it guides me through life.

Do you still see them?

Not the way you see me now.

They walk along a different path

and have perhaps become other things.

I picture them and talk to them sometimes.

It soothes me.

A very special occasion is coming.

A major event in Japan.

We float candles down the river,

like birthday candles,

to honor those we've lost

and help them on their way.

Can I see it?

Maybe.

I'll ask your mom.

You can help me get ready for it.

How long will Dad be in Belgium?

Two months, but it'll be quick.

Don't worry.

- You have to get it! - Pass it!

No! Pass it to me!

Here, Juliette!

Arigatou.

Could you bring us chocolates?

No, nougat!

Hey!

I'll bring both!

Are you done talking to Dad?

Shoo!

Is Amélie not around?

She and Nishio-san just left to go to the river

to set their candles on the water.

It's the last day of the festival.

Amélie's so lucky to witness that.

Be sure to thank Nishio-san for taking her.

They love spending time together.

They're two halves of a whole.

You return tomorrow?

Yes, I can't wait. It's sad being away from you.

Once I get home, we'll have a day at the beach.

When will we leave?

We're in a hurry!

- Where are Dad and Amélie? - Patience.

I want to stay with you.

No, you can't miss this for the world.

Your father just got back from Belgium.

He wants to see you.

Why won't you come with us?

You know, a long time ago,

I went to that beach with my family.

It was lovely.

I was hardly older than you are.

It's like being on the edge of the world. I wouldn't want you to miss it.

Come here, big girl! I've missed you!

I'll be right here when you get back.

- Have a good day, Nishio-san. - See you!

The sun's out and shining,

perfect for a day at Tottori Beach.

Coming up, the summer's biggest hit...

Don't move, Daddy-o!

I wished Nishio-san had come with us.

Mom, can I have that jar?

That jar? Sure, sweetie.

Was that the edge of the world?

Maybe that's where grandmother was.

Everything will be all right now.

André was the one who saw your jar abandoned by the water.

If not for him...

Thanks, André.

She said my name.

I pondered my brother like a math equation.

I wouldn't have been there without him.

Might I have enjoyed it?

I wouldn't have been around to tell.

Good evening, Nishio-san.

Good evening, ma'am.

Can I help, sir?

Sure, thanks. Can you bring Amélie out?

- She had a rough outing. - I'd love to.

What a nice jar.

It's for you.

- You can open it if you like. - Thanks.

Nishio-san! Oide!

Hayaku oide!

Amé-chan, arigatou.

Juliette! Wake up!

It's my third birthday!

Hi, Kashima-san.

It's a little late for explanations.

Kashima-san, please, forgive me.

- Amélie takes up all my time. - That's the issue.

She's clouded your judgment.

No, their family lost a loved one.

- She asks about death. - Not your concern.

Our two cultures can't mix.

Forgive me, ma'am.

I meant no disrespect toward you.

You showed disrespect to our ancestors

taking her to the river.

All I've done is care for a child.

You just don't get it.

By growing attached, you betray your people.

You've forgotten what they did to us.

They had nothing to do with that.

I help them and I love the girl.

How dare you say that?

You've completely forgotten

they took everything from us after the war.

Why are you here?

It's my birthday.

Please, forgive her, Kashima-san.

I'll take her back home.

Come to your senses!

- You're out of line... - The war is over.

It was 30 years ago.

- Her parents were kids then. - My husband!

And my son!

Do you want for your father,

mother, and little sister...

Stop! You're scaring her!

I shouldn't have brought you here. Go home, out of my sight!

She'll grow up one day and forget you

just as you've forgotten everything.

It's time you picked a side!

Your shameful love for her will come to naught!

Sorry, Amélie.

Nishio-san...

Nishio-san!

No, Nishio-san!

- Wait! - Nishio-san, no!

Nishio-san! Come back!

These are grown-up problems.

It's nothing against you.

It's Kashima-san! She's mean to Nishio-san!

They've been through a lot. You're too young.

But it's nothing against you.

I'm so sorry, Amélie. I couldn't make her stay.

- Happy birthday, Amélie! - Easy, Juliette.

That's right.

We have candles to blow out.

Three years is a big deal.

Come on, let's bake you a cake.

Race to the kitchen!

- Move, I'm taking a picture. - Let me light the candles!

Knock it off, André!

Dad! Dad!

Happy birthday, Amélie.

Blow the candles out!

Can I do it for her?

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday!

Now for your surprise, sweetie.

Here, angel.

Go on, open it.

Surprise!

We saw how much you liked feeding the temple carp,

so we got you three, for your age.

But you have to feed them till their dying day.

Patrick, they can live hundreds of years.

Until we go back to Belgium then.

Go back to Belgium?

Yeah.

You know we're Belgian.

I'm Japanese.

We can't always get what we want.

Your dad works for Belgium.

Belgium wants your dad out of Japan,

so we'll have to leave.

He shouldn't listen!

Belgium's too far away to do anything.

I want to stay, this is my home.

No, Amélie. Our home is Belgium.

We should go home.

We belong there, you'll see.

On that day, my third birthday,

everything changed.

All that I loved,

I was about to lose.

We'll stay a bit longer.

You'll have time to enjoy yourself yet and get ready to leave.

Was it something I'd done?

Was this to punish me?

Or can things simply go away forever without any warning?

Would I forget everything?

Nishio-san? And my haven?

Japan?

The flowers?

Everything?

Was this life?

One great, chomping mouth

that spares nothing?

Carpe diem.

The day of the carp.

Kashima-san,

I began to understand your sadness

after you'd lost everything.

I'd never feed the carp again.

I'd never leave Japan.

At age three,

I went back to the beginning,

to when there was nothing.

What are you doing here, sweet?

I think I'm dead.

Not yet.

Then nearly dead if I'm seeing you.

That's right,

but this is no place for you.

It's boring here, and the world is so big.

The world is so sad.

Everything goes away.

No, I'm no longer around, but you can see me.

Memories last.

If I can't live in Japan forever,

if I have to lose Nishio-san and the mountains,

if I have to leave the garden,

if what's given will be taken,

I have no choice but to remember.

You said you'd teach me.

You're right about that.

So, first you lift your finger.

Like this?

Amé.

Amélie, come back.

Sweetie!

Look, Amélie's awake!

- Hey, Amélie! - How do you feel?

You gave us such a scare, again!

- What's on her forehead? It must hurt. - Really?

Take it easy, kids.

That's where you bumped your head in the pond.

- Is there a hole? - Yes, you needed stitches.

- With a needle and thread? - That's right.

Careful, honey. Don't touch it or you'll bleed.

A special someone came to visit.

Happy to see her, honey?

Kashima-san saved your life.

Kashima-san?

She informed Nishio-san, who came right away.

Amé-chan,

thanks for coming back.

You came back too.

Will you stay a while?

I'll stay as long as you do.

Amélie, where are you?

Come on!

Here.

Doing all right?

When you're three, you see everything

and understand nothing.

How many swallows does it take

to actually make a summer?

Do scars eventually melt away like snow in the sun?

My dear Nishio-san,

my sun,

everywhere I go, I'll remember the years

I spent by your side.

I want to see and feel everything,

love as much as one can in life,

and write every page of life with passion

and eyes wide open.

In the end, I'm not God.

Trust me,

things are a lot more fun this way.

Subtitle translation: Timothy Stone

Subtitling: TransPerfect Media France