Original subtitles

To explore cinematic literature

To our dear movie friend, Hinton Battle!

We hope you return to Japan soon.

Your friends can't wait for you to come back.

Mr. Hinton Battle is our friend.

He's a 3-time Tony winner, a famous dancer and choreographer.

The wait is over.

He had to be in America while this film was being shot

but as the film wrapped I heard that he plans to be back soon!

Our unbreakable friendship goes beyond borders

and racial barriers.

Our wish for world peace resulted in this passionate movie.

Thank you, Hinton, our dear friend!

Yoshimoto Kogyo.

TANAKA.

VAP.

In association with PSC.

Presented by these 4 companies!

Kazuyoshi Okuyama is Executive Producer.

This story takes place in a cinema by the shore.

This strange man will return. He's a Military Police officer.

As people began enjoying a modern lifestyle

one of Japan's best poets, Chuya Nakahara

wrote this verse when he was young.

"They call it modernization. I call it barbarization."

What Chuya called "the brutal age"

is still present in the air now.

Chuya continued,

"One Autumn Night" "Dark clouds gather behind humanity."

"Hardly anyone notices it."

In those verses written a century ago he foresaw the future.

It's time to review history so we can build a better future.

A MOVIE BY NOBUHIKO OBAYASHI

It's time to review history so we can build a better future.

That's why I made this movie with movie friends.

Guided by Chuya Nakahara's poems

we'll visit Japanese war movies from the 20th century.

"A shard of red light on the ceiling leaks from a crack in the door."

"Morning Song" "A shard of red light on the ceiling leaks from a crack in the door."

"MORNING SONG"

"The redolent sound of military music."

"My hands have nothing to turn to."Written by Chuya during the Pacific War.

A century later, we have similar tension and oppression

but we can't say, "My hands have nothing to turn to."

To travel from the past to the future

you'd need a time machine.

It's just fantasy, science fiction.

But with modern technology, spaceships can take us

effortlessly across time and space.

You can have a drink and the food's... OK.

You can swim and play sports.

Sometimes strange things, like memory fragments, float by.

I'm alone in space and I contemplate...

About me, us, I mean, mankind.

Mankind originated in prehistoric Africa.

We invented tools to eat other species to survive.

We walked upright, used fire and called ourselves superior...

The rulers of living creatures.

With science and civilization came a desire for power.

We fight each other. This is delicious, by the way!

Wars, genocide and annihilation. That's the history of mankind.

Then a girl enters.

Oh, who is she?

A beautiful day begins!

She was born on Earth, our home.

There's Earth, our home.

But people destroy this tiny sphere, fight wars

and kill each other. It's unbelievable.

It's been eons since humans left Africa.

I'm a descendant of a group who arrived

at a place that would be called Yamato, the country of the rising sun.

My name is Fanta G. I suddenly realized

that movies are a cutting-edge time machine.

I've come too far. Japan and Hawaii are joining together.

Japan and America. Their people once fought each other.

Mt. Kilauea and Mt. Fuji. Japan and America. Their people once fought each other.

The Pacific plate causes Hawaii to move 2 cm closer to Japan annually.

Did you ask when? Do you know anything about war?

A long time ago...

Oh no, a war!

Is this a real war or just a movie?

Speaking of war movies, there's the Military Police officer.

They were a secret police force.

Their presence is always foreboding.

I'll protect Japanese citizens at all costs!

Onomichi, Hiroshima, Distant future

Movies always depict the future in ruins.

Everybody knew there were consequences to war...

Oh, Onomichi, my love, my hometown.

Trains going up and down the hills. Boats. Bicycle bells.

We're in the summer of 2019.

You'll experience time lags in this movie.

Your present is the time that this movie is set in.

Across many bridges and over the sea.

This island girl always visits the cinema by the shore.

Noriko Habara is 13 years old.

Onomichi!

Because of the presence of a prisoner-of-war camp

Onomichi wasn't a bombing target.

People's lifestyles are unchanged since the war in the 1940s.

- Good morning. - You're so cheerful!

Train's here!

- Good morning. - Hi there.

Old man!

Whoa, G!

Yep! They call me Kinema G. We're both getting on!

I had a hunch you'd be back today.

Onomichi's last cinema closes tonight and so does my cinema life.

Mom is screening Japanese war movies all night!

She still goes on about wars and A-bombs?

Noriko helps her out but tonight's the last.

- Who? - You don't know her?

A pretty island girl who helps out.

I've been away for so long... Do young people come?

Yes, there will be crying babies just like the old days!

But tonight's the last.

No one's interested in war movies anymore.

- Young people today... - Noriko is different.

Is she?

See you tonight.

Sure. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

In the meantime Noriko is on her way.

The things I don't know, I want to know through movies.

- I'll teach you. - What is war?

For example, where am I? Who am I?

Hi, you're early today.

Pika!

OK, 1, 2 and 3...

Setouchi Kinema's ticket lady OK, 1, 2 and 3...

Boom!

Mario Baba, Film buff

- Noriko. - Mario. Mario Baba, Film buff

- Noriko. - Mario.

- So this is it. - Right.

- What will you do from tomorrow? - I don't know my future.

No one does.

All you need is movies.

- And you? - I'll go in, too.

I'll go in the movie to know who I am.

My notebook!

Hosuke Otori, Film history maniac

Tonight's movies reveal Japan's war history. Hosuke Otori, Film history maniac

A storm came out of nowhere!

But it's not even the 210th day.

Setouchi Kinema But it's not even the 210th day.

The 210th day? Setouchi Kinema

Typhoons always come on that day. The winds could blow away a Wind God.

It's pika, a flash!

It's raining.

A monk's son prays with his sandals in his hands.

How embarrassing to slip and fall.

He's also a yakuza wannabe.

Thunder, earthquakes, they're not scary.

Don't we have umbrellas...?

The power...

The wizard projectionist makes sure there's power.

Here at the cinema by the shore

a strange story is about to unfold.

Fanta G's craving to see movies.

No umbrellas...

I came to the last picture show and now I can't leave!

The beach concert was cancelled!

- Any cartoons? - No, just old war movies.

Not tonight.

Boring!

- I want cartoons. - You'll be OK.

I'm wet through. How about you?

No seats. Let's go over there.

Move along.

Good evening.

I'll come too.

Noriko found an umbrella and got ready.

The screen awaits as usual.

In the rain, the moon hides behind the clouds

When you leave home to marry...

Oh, live music!

- Movies used to have live music. - It's an old song.

I'd walk alone under my umbrella

If you had no umbrella who would you walk with?

You getting married?

You're not?

You have to tell me. Because I don't know anything.

For example, what is war? I don't know what it is.

Me neither!

It sounds exciting!

But I can feel it. Something huge and creepy lurking in our world...

I'm not interested!

I see movies to figure out what it is. I visit movies.

Noriko.

Hi, old fella.

- I'll tell you - I'll show you

- it's secrets. - How it violated you.

What war really is!

Because movies know war so very well.

Old cinemas smell like Auntie Pika's potatoes and cigarettes.

And the loo.

It's about to begin!

You punk!

The tough one wins, as he should.

It's a yakuza feud over a debt.

Go ahead and kill me! It's a yakuza feud over a debt.

Sorry kid. There are no rules to brawls.

Your boss couldn't repay his loan.

My boss said "Forget it!" but he has to pay his grandkid's school fees.

He's like a dad to me so I'm gonna get his money and kill your boss.

Shut up, monk's son!

Monk!

I'm not a monk!

I see his point.

Take my life if that puts things right!

The Boss has a big heart.

Let the boy go. He's learned a valuable lesson.

A movie is a dream. Be happy!

OK!

Are movies reality or illusion?

Let's be happy!

Happy ending? Is it over?

I know what it is. I know it very well.

My old projector pal has been moody.

Good boy.

I know this and that, I know it.

It makes movies powerful, beautiful...

and delicious.

Even after "The End"

there are hopes and dreams.

After the show ends we'll all be happy!

You'd better believe it.

In lies?

There's truth in a lie!

There's truth in a lie!

Make it cheerful and fun!

You're doing OK. Keep it up, my old projector pal.

This is vacuous entertainment, not a war movie.

It was made in Occupied Japan.

Directors avoided censorship by making

Hollywood-style musicals, not sword-fighting movies.

Don't panic, everyone!

This always happens with film projectors!

From an old man to an old man...

Film was flammable.

They burned all the time.

Kazuo Hasegawa and Takako Irie's films burned...

It must have been hot. Poor things...

Noriko?

Mario...

Noriko!

Kinema G!

Noriko's burning!

- Who? - You don't know her?

A pretty islander who helps out.

That's me.

I've been away for so long...

Don't panic. I'll help you get in the movie.

I'll go to the toilet then.

My talent is imitating movie heroes.

That's how I get in the movie.

Look...

We don't know his name yet...

Damn! We don't know his name yet...

- You're wet? - And muddy.

You have no umbrella?

Who carries an umbrella?

And he produces...

It's nice in the rain sometimes. Never mind, I have no change.

Let's stroll in the spring rain.

How gallant! Want to come in out of the rain?

I like yakuza flicks but I guess war movies aren't so different.

"Japan's War movies"

I'll catch some yakuza flicks.

Go with style!

Style is important. Oh, the loo stinks!

And the loo.

It stinks.

It's about to begin!

Sorry, fella. Here.

Does he owe me something...?

I'm not a yakuza yet. I should go easy on folks.

Shigeru Dan, Debt collector

One less cinema with a film projector. How sad.

Keep it up my old projector pal. For the young folk.

Movies will help them build the future!

Let's go!

They're ready! Now enjoy the rest of the show.

As if to answer Kinema G's prayer...

It started.

- Good boy. - Everything is working.

Our ancestors running around African savannas might have thought

that modern objects like shoes sound like musical instruments.

Jump, leap, walk, stop and think to the sound.

Using your body for expression is the human condition.

Tap dance is the base of human dignity.

Movies are dreams, dreams are movies. It's a wonderful world.

Movies make the world a wonderful place.

Everyone is happy!

Mankind's history is unhappy.

Happiness is unachievable, a lie.

- There's truth in a lie. - A lie!

If you believe that it's true wholeheartedly...

It might be achieved in the far future.

Thunder!

I'll protect the movies. I'll die protecting them!

What's this? Why am I here?

Happily ever after!

Why am I dancing and singing?

- Why am I dancing? - Right, why are you?

You're singing and dancing too!

You're right! Because we're in a movie!

I go along with things.

Noriko!

- Help me. - Let's help her!

Mario, help!

Boys, get serious. You're in a movie.

Join us. Come right here!

They're all captured in the movie.

Videos on devices aren't as immersive

as movies are on a screen.

Oh, Fanta G is in a fantastic dream.

Everyone, sing and dance!

- Surround me. - It's spring!

- Protect me. - Let's sing!

- Or else... - Come and dance!

- We have to dance? - Spring! It's our spring!

- Blossom rains. - It's our spring!

Superb spring!

I dance and fall like petals. I'm lively in spring!

Don't fall! You can't fall!

Sing and dance!

Blossom rains!

Protect the princess!

"Oda pounds and Hashiba kneads the power cake"

"which Tokugawa sits and enjoys."

Yum.

Tokugawa ushered in a new era with armed samurai.

For 260 years it was peaceful under the shogunate.

In the meantime, other countries intermingled.

Shall we join them?

You ain't heard nothin' yet!

- Us! - Me, me, me too!

We're the most eligible men in the whole world.

Don't overestimate yourselves. Can you make us love you?

We won't steal your hearts but you stole ours!

And we'll toss them away!

Suddenly they found themselves in wartime.

Steal it!

Noriko!

Help me.

Come on, steal her heart!

It's Mario and his friends.

It's reality and fantasy all mixed up!

Protect me!

What you're hearing is a national song.

It's to encourage people to make sacrifices for the Empire.

The Japanese in the 1930s and 40s associated overseas

with opportunity and adventure so the war expanded.

It's war!

Is it war?

It's war!

They're celebrating the victory at Pearl Harbor.

Anything goes!

I was ready to sacrifice myself for Japan.

I must get tougher then!

I was a devoted boy militarist.

The government made people sing propaganda songs

like "Patriot March" to raise morale.

This police officer works directly under the military.

Go with style!

I'll catch some yakuza flicks.

Right, lemonade!

One, two, three...

Boom!

Protect me! Protect me, Mario!

- Noriko. - Mario.

The Toba—Fushimi Battle

Pro-Imperial forces vs. Shogunate

A civil war in 1868

left many casualties.

"Some generations ago there was a brown war."

"Swiing, wiing, swing-wing."

"Circus" by Chuya Nakahara

The three boys are in a Shinsengumi movie now.

I'll go in the movie to know who I am.

Captain Kondo of Shinsengumi

A bullet injured Captain Kondo. Captain Kondo of Shinsengumi

A bullet injured Captain Kondo.

A Japanese man dies for his country.

The three want to escape.

Don't get involved!

But they are involved.

I admire your courage.

Education is everything.

100 million Imperial subjects couldn't escape the war.

Let's escape!

- Help me, cinema! - Where are we going?

By the way, this creature is a household spirit known as

Zashikiwarashi, who brings fortune.

The three crawl away.

Hijikata returns to the post.

"Captain!"

"What's wrong?"

"The Samurai age is over!"

"They shot all our men..."

It's Kondo and Hijikata of the Shinsengumi Forces.

I'm subtitled! Why is that?

Why am I in black & white?

- We're in an old silent movie! - Right.

A silent movie?

That's what movies were before talkies.

Talkies?

Yes, that's right.

Movies didn't have color or sound in the beginning.

Dostoyevsky saw his first movie and said movies wouldn't last

with their quiet and uncanny depiction of reality.

Movies have always been unnatural and strange.

What a great night.

OMIYA INN, KYOTO

The Emperor won with no bloodshed.

Drink! It's time to celebrate.

Ryoma Sakamoto and Shintaro Nakaoka Drink! It's time to celebrate.

Ryoma Sakamoto and Shintaro Nakaoka

Tokichi, bring saké!

- Come on! - And some food!

I'll drink this for you later.

Thus the loyal Tokichi was murdered.

Ouch!

We were framed...!

Impossible!

Ouch again!

People in power always punish freedom with death.

You schemer...!

That's our history.

I was among the witnesses...

They got me, Mr. Sakamoto and Mr. Nakaoka...

Mr. Nakaoka!

Mr. Sakamoto, why do you have a gun?

It's morally wrong to kill someone with a projectile.

I got this to protect myself against Americans.

I think the Americans and I can be good friends.

Before that could happen Sakamoto died in 1867.

What's going on?

- Are we the audience? - It's war history.

- Learn from movies! - Anything you want!

Nakaoka survived Sakamoto by 2 days.

History's been lost in the many accounts of Nakaoka's life.

Here comes a postman.

Serving the country.

And a horse.

What's scary is that the atrocity actually happened.

As a result many lives were wasted.

"The revolutionaries!"

"They want to wipe us out."

"We didn't kill Sakamoto."

"But Satsuma and Choshu framed us!"

Anything goes for Satsuma and Choshu! "But Satsuma and Choshu framed us!"

Anything goes for Satsuma and Choshu!

But Saigo died...

- What a weird hat! - Saigo was framed as a traitor.

Life is tough...

Mr. Saigo!

What now?

I'm Shinsuke Beppu.

And...

I've lived long enough...

Sir!

Saigo from Satsuma was betrayed by his allies.

He died in a battle with the government in his hometown.

Seen as a traitor, he killed himself at 49.

I'd feel a whole lot better if I had a good cry!

Thank you!

A Satsuma and Choshu alliance sounds fine!

It wasn't fine! They were all deceiving each other!

Jump over the door and stab!

The enemy!

- It's silent. - We're the audience!

I can hear my voice! What is this?

- A talkie. - That's progress.

Does war progress?

Or yakuza's profits?

"They call it modernization. I call it barbarization."

"The Brutal Age"

- I'm coming in. - Noriko!

The army raids the post.

Captain Kondo.

Noriko! You're in many movies.

War movies are easy to enter.

- Noriko! - See?

There's no respect anymore.

Captain Kondo.

It makes no sense!

Times are changing.

Captain Kondo!

And then modernity.

I can hear you.

"What?"

- It's a talkie! - I'll let you escape!

This is when the "brutal age" begins.

Guns defeated us. Us samurai are obsolete.

You are so right.

Captain Kondo.

This young lady belongs to the future, not the present.

Protect her for me.

Please.

I'll come with you.

- Some guys have integrity. - Right.

We'll protect her.

Abuto Temple by Setouchi Sea looking down at beautiful Tomonoura bay.

I wish I could go to America...

Yum.

That's Ryoma Sakamoto and Saigo!

Let's begin.

They're eating konpeito candy.

- Confectionary's sweet. - What's sweet... sugar.

Okubo from Satsuma!

- What's white... a hare. - Hares hop.

- Hop... Frogs. - Frogs are green.

The green ghost!

Why candies?

Electricity is bright.

Something bright...

These idealistic men were viewed as daydreamers.

Pop's bald head!

Bald head.

Would Japan be different if they'd lived longer?

A mustache or a topknot... It wasn't his time to die.

He had so much to do.

Okubo had a key role in the new government.

Wasn't he assassinated on May 14, 1878?

What a pity...

Lick the sweet candy, suckers!

Some power-hungry men attempted to take over

but many failed and were killed.

- What's white... a hare. - Hares hop.

- Hop... Frogs. - Frogs are green.

One man can't defeat the system.

Right. Ghosts disappear like light.

- Light is electricity. - Electricity is bright.

What's bright...?

Pop's bald head.

History is chaotic as you can see.

Nothing lasts forever.

Here's another war.

Some fools die without realizing their own power.

"Why?"

Where's your voice? You're no leader! "Why?"

Where's your voice? You're no leader!

"Hijikata!"

- I am! - You spoke! "Hijikata!"

- I am! - You spoke!

"Die, Leader!"

So it was a coup d'état.

- There! That's good... - Come on, louder!

- I am Hijikata! - That hurt!

Harada! Yamanami!

- Okita! - That hurts!

Shinsengumi killed their leader and blamed the Choshu group.

- Spare women! - We're helpless before power.

Let's pray...

I never ordered you to kill me!

To our leader.

You died honorably, Mr. Serizawa.

I didn't want to die yet...

No man lives beyond his abilities.

The poor woman was eventually killed.

Captain Kondo was defeated and executed by the revolutionaries.

No one knows the future.

This is the real Ryoma Sakamoto.

Toshizo Hijikata died in action.

I see with my eyes closed... How does it go?

Mario.

I forgot.

I don't know my future.

What happened to your hair?

- Shigeru, your hair! - Hide it!

No! I'm not in a movie because I want to be.

- I'll hide it. - Who are you?

Who are you?

Who is he...?

Who the hell?

State your troop.

We were watching movies.

- What? - Where's the girl?

What girl?

We were asked to look after her.

Protect her for me.

- Are you agents? - Is this gun real?

- What's an agent? - A gent.

- A gent? - A spy.

Are you spies?

You too?

I'll interrogate you. You'll eat stinky meals in the slammer.

It's slippery!

Here are your stinky meals!

It smells nice.

It's you...

Noriko.

It's leftovers thinned with Manchurian water!

We'll eat to survive.

Are you Chinese?

My papa and mama were killed by the Japanese.

By Japanese?

Who killed them?

A mysterious old pianist

- A yakuza gang? - They mistook them for Balu jun spies.

Balu jun?

- The Eighth Route Army. - Yakuza don't spy.

You escaped?

What story will the old pianist tell us?

Here's her story.

So I...

Officers always carry expensive liquor in their flasks.

Ouch, she got my bottom!

You killed papa and mama!

- Let's have fun. - What?

A commander's aid isn't tied to rules like his boss.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Commanders act autocratic but just watch.

You have less freedom when you have power.

It's revenge, Chinese style!

My superior decided that you'll be beheaded tomorrow.

Beheaded!

It's the death penalty for assaulting Imperial officers.

- What? - Look, Officer.

When you're in Japan, you get hungry and shit like anyone...

Maybe you're a doting father.

This is His Majesty's battlefront!

They'll behead us!

No they won't.

There was a nice soldier.

Yes...

"Hometown" Song

May, 1945, Manchuria Imperial Army's battlefront

I'll put the swords away and join the singing.

Private Oishi from Shodoshima Island

It's leftovers thinned with Manchurian water!

Hungry soldiers are no good.

We'll eat to survive.

It's horrible!

Yum! It's better today.

The soldiers get some solids.

Damn, my life is completely messed up!

Thanks for the ge da tang soup.

This even makes a tough yakuza cry.

Let's do it, guys.

I won't fight in a war.

Hear the music? I know how movies go!

- It's a guard. Hide, Noriko. - Mario.

Here he comes.

You kicked me!

- Up I bounce. - Me too!

- I'll follow you. - A snake!

Noriko.

Poisonous snakes can kill you!

Up I bounce!

- Mario is Tarzan! - What is that?

The enemy's movie!

He lives in the jungle and has no enemies.

Yakuza make enemies.

Hide here. We'll trick them.

- What's going on? - Up you go!

Something bounced.

Momentum starts wars.

- Shoot them! - Don't waste bullets.

No, I won't!

I'll protect Noriko's life!

Anything happens in movies. I have a childhood promise to keep.

The Tarzan call and the steam engine.

And the hum of the movie projector.

My precious childhood memory.

And movies. That'll make me happy.

Dad was at the battlefront and I was a devoted boy militarist.

That's a movie story I imagined about myself.

I thought it'd be good to take a bath with film but...

The images disappeared so I drew on each frame of the film.

I knew how because I used my textbooks to draw flip books.

Sorry, sir!

All these experiences prepared me to say...

"Mom, I'll become a filmmaker!"

I modeled the hero after Grandpa, a physician.

And I named the character, Doctor Muddlehead.

Grandpa said, "Clever fools fight but muddleheads make friends."

That's why I love Dr. Muddlehead.

I decided to have a free show which played to a packed house!

And my lovely Grandma kept the crowd in line.

"M" was my hero's logo!

Here goes my animated cartoon!

By the way, playing records off center distorts the sound.

My kind and mindless grandpa used to say "wilm" but

now it's pronounced "film," of course.

A-hem! This man is Dr. Muddlehead.

Dr. Muddlehead fell in a pit!

It broke, Muddlehead!

It's burning.

Don't panic. I'll protect the cartoon's life, no matter how hot.

Mario.

Noriko's burning!

Chiyoko's not here. Where is she?

Dr. Muddlehead arrives at Tank Rock.

Dr. Muddlehead climbs it like Tarzan. Don't we all love Tarzan?

I have a confession to make.

Miss, want one? Sweet candy soothes your throat.

What a kind boy!

I screened my film to console Chiyoko.

She took trips to the hospital because she was dying of TB.

It's sweet, little boy.

That's the story of my childhood promise.

"In mourning" That's the story of my childhood promise.

That's the story of my childhood promise.

Oh my! Look at Dr. Muddlehead.

He escaped the movie to the real world.

- It's a scandal! - I know how movies go!

He went to Tank Rock too. So don't worry!

But guess who was there?

Have we seen him somewhere?

Who is this foreign man?

Looks like this is a movie shoot.

They let me use the clapboard which is used to sync the sound.

Thank you.

On the way back from filming Hiroshima after the bomb

I showed John this place.

Maybe he means John Ford.

The Hollywood director. Maybe he means John Ford.

Maybe he means John Ford.

That Tank Rock.

It must be like the boy's own Monument Valley.

Harry. As you were saying

Japan will become a wonderful country someday.

Because in that boy's heart lives the soul of film!

Something like that might have happened but it was so long ago.

My memory's hazy and fuzzy...

Mixed up.

It may not have happened but my heart believes it did.

It's a childhood memory I cherish.

"The heart's truth" sounds silly

but honest muddleheads show us the true wisdom of man.

I will defend the freedom and adventures of movies!

And protect Noriko!

Mario!

That's why you have to live, Noriko!

Don't let them take your life...

I won't! I'll live because I have much more to know!

I will live... I won't die!

For example, what is war? I don't know what it is.

Tell me!

Still bouncing!

- Maybe not. - No bullets?

A tussle then!

Still bouncing.

It stinks, mister.

That's true.

That was the poison gas test! Get them!

Take me with you.

I'm sorry...

Goodbye, mister.

Goodbye!

It still stinks...

Guys, here you are.

- The "Hometown" man. - The harmonica man.

Yes, it's Private Oishi.

Thank you.

Over there.

- Is it safer? - Noriko.

Did you see the escapees, Private?

No I didn't. I'll check upstairs.

No, you look over there!

- Sir. - Hey, handsome.

- Lieutenant. - Your woman?

I don't know her.

I'm hungry!

After a while...

- What if I got shot? - Aren't they blanks?

It's supposed to be real in the movie!

We're doomed!

Don't worry, bullets dodge the hero and heroine!

They dodge the hero and heroine.

They're doomed and by nightfall they were surrounded

Manchuria They're doomed and by nightfall they were surrounded

MANCHURIA

by the Imperial Japanese Army who should be on their side.

By the Imperial Japanese Army who should be on their side.

- Now what? - Well... the music's uplifting.

Be quiet! You're ruining my infiltration!

Who is he?

Who are you, sir?

Makoto Sako, an intelligence agent.

An agent?

He's a spy.

- What is an agent? - A gent.

- War is complicated. - Sure is.

Wars start because we complicate things.

They opened fire!

Geezers!

- Geezers...? - Stay down!

Agent Sako seems to be having fun.

I helped you out of kindness. She your beau?

Your squeeze?

Girlfriend!

No!

Watch out!

Run that way! Run!

What an upbeat BGM!

That's enemy language!

Cheery background music!

- War movies are entertainment! - Really?

War movies are entertainment.

Accept it!

- How? - By surviving this!

- Why are you here? - To avenge my brother's death.

He was executed for being his platoon's only survivor.

- By his own army? - Of course.

They win the war by killing their own.

Who are you guys?

- We are... - Are you OK, Mario?

Thank you.

Is she OK?

Everyone...

Noriko!

Don't die! I don't even know your name!

- Xie xie. Zhen xie xie le. - You are "Xiexie"?

She thanked you, idiots.

What's your name?

My name is...

Noriko...

Noriko?

My heroine...

She's my heroine...

Don't worry, bullets dodge the hero and heroine!

I know how movies go!

But I failed to protect the Chinese girl too...

We have to learn the dangerous traps of movies, Noriko.

You're a monk?

- I'm a yakuza! - What?

We're under fire!

The Eighth Route Army!

Someone must have revealed my plan! Run!

- This could end in tragedy. - Come on!

Leave her!

- Noriko! - She won't live again.

- You must live! - I won't forget you...

- Hurry! - The monk's son will avenge her death!

It's my turn!

The Eighth Route Army would become People's Liberation Army.

The war's begun!

In your arms, my head against your chest

I can hear the boatman sing...

Hi, Sako. It's me.

Kawashima...

Yoshiko?

Ah!

So you were after him too. I got in first.

You stopped me getting revenge!

The greedy bastard got rich selling opium

while Japan is unifying East Asian countries.

I love you, Yoshiko...

Sorry.

Her real name was Aisin Gioro Xianyu.

She's royalty and is related to

Huisheng who famously committed suicide with her lover.

The legendary princess

was Chinese.

Give me your gun...

Yoshiko, are you enjoying the war?

I'll swap their guns...

Visit me in Tianjin and we'll dine with Li Xianglan.

Is Li a bad guy?

- No, a singer turned politician. - In real life?

This way it looks like they shot each other.

Bullets are playing the piano!

I called the Army too soon.

Salute Captain Murota and Lieutenant Narita!

They had their fun.

- War is my true enemy. - Let's escape, Sako.

Oh, he's dead.

As long as everyone behaves the world's peaceful.

The girl would've been saved if we hadn't changed the plot.

I don't think we should enjoy war.

If you survive, it's due to luck not skill.

But she was singing "Happily ever after!"

Don't you remember?

There's truth in a lie.

There's truth in a lie.

It's a lie.

The strange pianist claimed

he was Monk Mota Heri in a previous life and was born in China

and lived in Kangri la until he died at the age of 209.

Then the old man

began to talk about movies made by Franz Kapra.

One movie he made was considered a failure.

The studio recut it and ruined it.

But time would prove that it was his true masterpiece.

That's what people believe today.

It's a strange movie where the line between reality and fiction is blurred.

But in its heart, it has the ring of truth!

The old man believes that so he decides to live in the movie forever.

The movie was made by

Sicily-born Franz Kapra, the master of humanist movies.

The wall fell!

- And a man! - Who are you?

- The girl...? - She's dead!

She was killed...

- How foolish to kill a child! - That's war.

Do me a favor. Take this harmonica and

give it to my wife who lives on the island.

A harmonica.

Rimbaud's a poet from the enemy country.

"It has been found again. What? — Eternity."

We lost him. I'll continue the poem.

"It's the sea that disappeared."

"The sea that mingled with the sun."

Interpreted by Chuya.

Please protect me.

She is alive!

She looks like Zhen Xiexie. I think I know her.

Zhen Xiexie!

There's truth in a lie.

Why are you still here, idiots? We're surrounded!

We'll force our way out. Follow me if you want to live.

- Sako. - What? We have no time!

I don't think this is true courage.

- Truth in a lie... - Protect me!

True love... Maybe love is a lie turned into truth.

Zhen Xiexie, you're alive!

- Because I had to see you. - I failed to save you.

You saved me. You were my hope. That's why I'm here.

My name is Noriko. It means "hope."

- Noriko. - Mario.

I always live in your heart.

Until there are no wars.

My darling!

- I'll protect Noriko! - Mario!

He thinks he's Tarzan.

Careful! Don't get lost in sentimentalism...

I love you, Yoshiko.

And die!

Follow me!

I'll see to it.

Truth in a lie.

Look closely, Hosuke.

They're in love. I'll protect them.

That's English! Isn't it the enemy language?

A happy ending is when the world is one.

In a divided world, war rages on.

Right.

Sako, don't risk your life so easily.

Too late, I'm involved.

That's no reason to kill each other but that's war.

You're right. I want to go home.

Home...

LOVE is my promise!

Oh, I'm so sentimental!

When hungry, man would eat anything in reach.

I eat frogs but frogs don't eat me.

Life's irrational.

Nature's all about survival of the fittest.

Like the worst yakuza.

- Mario. - Noriko.

Movie reality is more real.

And I close my eyes. Yoshiko...

Don't frogs fall in love?

"It has been found again. What? — Eternity."

"It's the sea that disappeared. The sea mingled with the sun."

"Eternity" by Arthur Rimbaud Interpreted by Chuya Nakahara

His face... He died like a samurai.

I wish I'd challenged him with real swords.

But you're too old...

I won't let my age stop me!

Musashi the swordsman!

Mario, you're alive!

Yes. He was once respected as the master of 2 swords.

Noriko, you're still here.

The sun rises on a new day.

He's the swordsman who won a duel against Kojiro?

Maybe.

That's my grandma!

Lovely Grandma got the crowd in line.

That looks like Musashi's sweetheart Otsu, as an older woman.

So this girl isn't our Noriko then.

Whoever she is, I'll protect her!

You can't beat Musashi!

But it's a unique opportunity to test my bravery!

It's you or me!

I look terrible in warrior's attire.

I shall accept your challenge.

Musashi wields his trademark double swords.

He knows he's a coward so he hides it with bravado.

That's a modern interpretation.

I dare say as his good friend that it's Shigeru's true self.

Truth or a lie!

I can fly and I can lie.

Master Musashi.

- Musashi. - Noriko?

Is Otsu OK?

It's you!

Me?

Master Musashi...

I don't need a scabbard to kill a man.

No scabbard? Then you'll lose, Kojiro.

GANRYU ISLAND, APRIL 13, 1612.

Young and reckless.

The swallow turn!

- Done. - I'm dead.

Musashi!

This is a military sword! A murderer's weapon!

So I won the duel...

Boys get carried away when they win.

You are actually just an old man.

You've lived a proud life as a samurai.

Musashi.

The "samurai spirit" lured in feisty men just like yakuza do.

Don't talk like an autocrat.

Everyone ages then dies in the end.

Equally and peacefully.

Old Otsu I hope swords won't rule your lives too.

That's what Noriko wished.

Young Otsu Make my wish come true, Grandpa.

She admired him as a legendary swordsman.

Swordsmanship is violence.

Musashi won 60 duels and died at 64.

She was a princess, a maid, Zhen Xiexie and my lovely grandma.

I empathized with Otsu because she looks like Noriko

then I let her die in this movie again.

"The sky is clear but the waves are rough."

The Battleship March became an anthem

to boost the morale of pachinko gamblers after the war.

And Japan is losing the Pacific War.

My hair getting messed up!

I don't have that problem!

How can I protect you, Noriko?

Look, it's a sea of money!

My notebook!

Money!

The money eventually drifts out to sea.

Japan won the Russo-Japanese war.

But now Japan's losing to the Americans.

MILITARY TRAINING CAMP BY THE SEA OF JAPAN

Are you replacement soldiers from the boat wreck?

Sandals...

- Salute! - Who are you?

We...

Salute him!

At your service!

Good, but you're naked.

There're no spare uniforms but we have loincloths.

Follow me.

June, 1945

This is His Majesty's armory. Not much left.

2 swords and 2 pairs of shoes...

And 3 helmets. It doesn't add up, sir.

- Someone's glasses. - Don't call them "helmets."

- It's enemy language. - Sorry, sir.

It's not perfect but humility is a virtue.

You're right but being broke isn't easy.

Peace comes with money.

Decide on duties with rock-paper-scissors.

1, 2, 3.

That was a tie.

You can decide without fighting.

A peaceful solution.

Pals over money.

Prepare for antitank mine training!

Antitank mines?

Mines... I don't know what they are but I'll go first.

A sense of anxiety comes over us...!

I don't mind but the way you talk

makes me anxious.

Run for your life!

This is real. We'll beat the enemy's tank regiment this way!

Where are the pits?

A row of tanks arrive.

Armored vehicles.

Throw the explosive at the tank above you!

How am I supposed to escape?

You can't. Private Mario Baba dies honorably in action.

Posthumously promoted and enshrined as a war god. Next!

But my ancestors are from Nagaoka...

You too? You know Torasaburo Kobayashi, the educator?

We lost the civil war.

Then unfortunately you won't be enshrined.

BOMB

Yasukuni Shrine only enshrines Choshu soldiers.

No, push it.

Push yourselves towards war. Pull away to peace.

So you train to die with a landmine!

YASUJIRO OZU, FILMMAKER

Get advice on small issues but morality guides us with big issues.

With art, I follow my heart.

As His Majesty's subject... He was sent to the Philippines to make a propaganda movie.

I can go along with this war.

But I refused to say "Action" or "Cut!"

And you didn't.

I've never expressed myself freely.

Sadao Yamanaka, Filmmaker

Sadly, Humanity and Paper Balloons was my last film. Sadao Yamanaka, Filmmaker

Sadly, Humanity and Paper Balloons was my last film.

To express oneself means giving up.

Survive... then seek redemption.

In the end, life is empty.

"Emptiness" is inscribed on Ozu's grave.

This is Ozu's handwritten screenplay that was never produced.

I died of sickness at the battlefront but you survived.

After the war Ozu called himself "The tofu maker"

and made family dramas set in the war's aftermath.

Many movies, including his, weren't produced because of the war.

A watermelon.

Nice.

Honorable floaters are everywhere.

So I eat melon.

Can I have some?

Thanks.

I was thrilled to be enlisted as a class A cadet.

- Can I have some? - Take a big piece.

I was so disillusioned.

You would be.

Our camp was at a Russian refugee's ballet studio.

- That's an enemy word. - We rented it.

Enemy!

On the condition we learn ballet 3 times a week.

Ballet or bullet?

A daily routine's important.

Hey, Mario. How are you doing today?

It's ballet, not bullet.

This is it. Let's begin the lesson.

That's an enemy word.

You crank it up like a movie camera like this.

This is a hand-cranked audio player!

It's a record. This is the magic sound box.

It's ballet, not volleyball.

One, two, three.

- Ballet... - This has nothing to do with war.

My glasses!

What the...?

I dropped them! I can't dance.

Sometimes kind gestures backfire.

PFC Kawamura, you're a good dancer.

I'm an actor so...

Really! Which movie were you in?

I'm a stage actor. Another troupe member, Gan-san, was in movies.

You mean, Sadao Maruyama?

He's my mentor.

I saw his Wife! Be like a Rose and I am a Cat.

Also Brother and Sister and Enoken's Kondo Isami.

You sound alive.

Mario.

Enoken and Maruyama respected each other.

How are you?

So you love movies, quiet boy.

I'm glad you're well.

He lives for movies.

What would you pick, movies, Noriko or Zhen Xiexie?

He chose her.

Maruyama is in Hiroshima with an entertainment troupe.

The Sakura Troupe...

How do you know the Sakura Troupe?

Oh, the Sakura Troupe.

What's wrong?

Sakura Troupe... and the Atomic bomb.

Atomic?

Atmospheric. Their performances are.

I was to join but then I got drafted.

You're lucky, PFC Kawamura.

You're right. I couldn't have played Toshio in Rickshaw Man.

In the 1943 version, Hiroyuki Nagato played Toshio.

No, it was Akio Sawamura! Kunitaro's son!

He changed his stage name to Nagato.

It is Akio Sawamura as you say.

- What's that about? - I'll tell you later.

OK. I'm dizzy so I'll see you later.

Patrol downtown. Don't get stuck at one of the brothels.

Brothels!

They're illegal but as long as there are men and women...

In a national emergency?

Why not stay and listen to PFC Kawamura's stories, Mario?

I will.

Wait up, Shigeru. I want to know about brothels.

What is Sadao Maruyama like?

His Rickshaw Man

is really great.

The best.

You acted with him?

Unfortunately it never happened.

Intermission is a loo break. I mean "toilet," sorry.

A modern toilet that doesn't stink.

Relax before the show resumes.

Intermission is about to end.

Return to your seats and enjoy the rest of the story.

I borrowed PFC Kawamura's sandals.

"My hands have this to turn to!"

Let me explore the ways of the world!

This is pretty bleak...

There are ranks of hookers.

Discrimination in the military and brothels makes me angry!

Where's Shigeru?

Watch out. I'm in a bad mood.

What?

- Stop it! - Piss off!

I can whip my employee if I want!

I'll fight with my sandals!

It's unforgivable for a woman to bully another!

- I'll punish you! - Go on, make my day!

I- -

don't mind.

I know her!

I don't care.

Why is she...?

It's OK.

But Miss. You're...

Did you call her, Miss...?

It's her!

Can I go now?

Tomorrow's your first trick.

I understand.

You too, girlie.

Sis...

And her!

Go over there.

Don't interfere, stranger. She's our precious product.

- Ouch! - You only have one life.

Beat him up.

I could share my life.

Right, Mario? See ya!

What's a "first trick"?

- Don't you know? - No.

Her first customer. Don't you keep a list of women you had sex with?

I don't know women nor war.

- History's dead—not women. - It cries.

Maybe I'll try to make it laugh!

When's history been something to laugh about?

History is

yawning now.

It is peaceful at the moment.

You...

My glasses!

Here! They're compromised a little!

My glasses...

I didn't break them.

It's OK. I don't mind if they're broken.

I see.

They're all I own.

Everything else is on loan. I'm just a doll.

Let me play it.

"The Canary That Forgot to Sing"

I know that song.

Noriko.

Oh, sorry. I fell asleep.

- Mornin'. - I had a dream.

A dream?

I was with childhood friends who I'll never see again.

It'll be like a forgotten song...

Right.

"On a moonlit night I found a button by the shore."

"I couldn't toss it at the moon nor into the waves."

"The button on that moonlit night... Who could toss it away?"

"The Moonlit Shore" by Chuya Nakahara

Tell me, what's your name?

I want to tell you. I'd like you to know it but...

But?

I'll get another name...

Tomorrow, I'll have another name.

You want to come with me?

That wouldn't get rid of my family's debt.

My little sister would be left with it.

Go over there.

Creditors suck your blood dry.

I'm a monk's son but I collect debts on the side.

We just met but you're so kind to me.

I've never felt so happy. I won't forget it.

- Follow me. - Where to?

Come on.

When I heard your harmonica and I dreamed of my childhood

I made up my mind to sleep with you.

That doesn't sound like a good idea

I've decided.

It's what I want.

It might help me remember a song I once knew...

My name is Shigeru. It's an ordinary name.

Shigeru... Shigeru.

I'm Shigeru and I'm yours.

No compromise.

You're beautiful.

Shigeru.

You damaged my precious product! I'll kill you!

- My sandals! - Forgive me!

Leave my sandals alone!

My glasses!

They're broken.

Stop her!

- Hosuke. - Shigeru!

- I'm here! - I'll rescue you if I can.

Sis...

That doesn't sound like a good idea

- I'll turn my first trick today. - Noriko!

Hosuke, she looks like the Chinese girl.

I'll protect you, Noriko!

I know but...

She's not Noriko.

It's OK. I know you love me.

Shigeru.

I don't even know your name.

Sis.

She bit her own tongue!

It's not my chance yet.

They're compromised but here, your glasses.

All women die like this eventually.

This is my chance!

To the rescue!

My chance! I'll get you out, Shigeru!

Your sandals. Don't use them as weapons.

You're beautiful.

Run, now!

You're beautiful! I don't want to leave you!

I love you!

Thank you, Sis.

"When I picked up the button I felt"

"its preciousness in my fingertips."

"The Moonlit Shore" by Chuya Nakahara

- I couldn't save her. - See? History cries.

My love for her is now part of history. What will Mario do?

He's in despair.

I know what it's like.

Hello, Auntie Pika.

Namiko, the movie journalist. The show's started!

She writes for Sanyo Newspaper. Namiko, the movie journalist. The show's started!

She writes for Sanyo Newspaper.

I had to write an article. She writes for Sanyo Newspaper.

Is Dad here?

Yes, he hasn't changed a bit!

I guess he won't recognize me.

Right. After flying for 40 years...

He only knows me as a little girl then.

Snoozing as usual. I'll fill in for him.

It's safe here.

No one will kill us.

Death over capture.

- It's shameful to survive. - Serve the country.

More deaths in the movie...

When the revolutionary army raided Wakamatsu castle in 1868

it was protected by a brigade of volunteer women and children.

The revolutionary army arrives.

They're women! Capture them alive!

Kill those men!

The women brigade strikes back.

Die, men!

Captain Takeko Nakano

They'll all die...

Soldier Kikuko Yoda

They're called "Joshitai," meaning the "Women and children brigade."

Horrific.

SOLDIER YUKIKO JINBO

To protect the hometown and its people

YUKO, TAKEKO'S SISTER

the women fought for their lives.

Here.

Take the next reel

and unthread the film.

Join the head to the tail of the current reel.

You scrape one end and splice both ends together.

The two film strips are joined together.

Great! That's how you project a film.

There were only 10-minute reels because of steel shortages.

That's why they did this for a continuous projection.

It's called "streaming."

And I'm good at it.

Takeko's father was an official working in Edo.

In Edo she became a master of the naginata sword.

She reminds me of a very tough girl I used to know.

As the civil war began.

Takeko returned to her hometown, Aizu, with her sister, Yuko.

I'll protect Yuko.

I know how you feel.

She'll protect the sister she loves so much.

In May, the Nakano family is reunited in Aizu.

Come on, Yuko.

Yes, Sister.

How adorable. She'd do anything for her big sister.

Father. Mother.

Wakamatsu Castle, Aizu

Farewell.

Takeko taught women and children swordsmanship, reading and writing.

Women and children brigade in training

Take a stance! Faster!

Left grip, tighter!

Again!

We'll die clean, Yuko.

- Mario. - Cheer up, this is your movie.

The warrior women are taking a bath.

- Noriko, I found you. - Will she die again?

Shigeru...

Sister.

They'll die. The women, children and boys' brigades.

I'll save her this time!

- You! - Huh?

Your name's changed but I know you.

It's like my hairstyle, some things remain what they are.

I didn't come here to get wet!

Noriko!

- Mario. - Noriko!

- Protect me! - How can I?

- You don't know us. - Do you?

Aizu men should be preparing for war!

The war?

So this is Wakamatsu Castle.

Step back. Again!

You'll fight, too?

We're to guard the city around the castle.

The boys' brigade?

- Yes. - The White Tigers.

They'll die then?

Tragically.

How do they die?

They thought the castle was on fire and killed themselves.

But it wasn't the castle that was burning...

Boys!

- Shigeru! - Stop it at once!

Don't be silly! Go back to your mom now.

We're young but we're samurai.

It'd be our honor to die fighting the revolutionary army.

- Don't die! - Who are you?

If you died, that'd be the end of you!

My stomach!

We can't beat samurai. Who's that man smirking?

You boys are in this together! Don't give up!

Run! You have to survive!

Don't give up on life!

Eventually the castle was surrounded

and the White Tigers died.

Mother.

Shogunal troops tried defending Aizu by fortifying Bonari Pass.

Fire!

Fire!

What's the Boshin War?

A civil war between shogunate forces and Imperial revolutionaries.

Who was the boss?

The Emperor, even though he was just a puppet ruler.

Even during WWII, the Emperor was a figurehead.

The revolutionaries also used the Emperor.

- So Aizu defied the Emperor. - And Choshu domain won.

Many Japanese were sent to Manchuria to work.

Many died of hunger, illness, or killed themselves.

They were from Aizu and other areas that lost the civil war.

So that war was the source of many tragedies.

Charge!

Why am I here?

Draw your sword and fight!

Don't get involved!

I want nothing to do with this!

One down, one to go!

It's war wherever we escape to!

Kill them!

But we should escape.

Swords against guns. You know which side will win.

A gun...

We're Japanese too!

It's a family feud.

What?

It's stuck!

One of us will die!

The tougher one wins!

My notebook!

Something unbelievable happened.

I'm bleeding...

No way...!

Let me go! I kicked you down.

Surprise!

But I have diarrhea!

This is not a movie!

- I shit in my pants. - I got carried away!

It stinks! It's killing my nose!

- Hosuke! - Look at the blood!

- So much blood! - We can't beat guns.

I won't kill anyone!

At East Onomichi High School there is

a C. Bechstein piano that the Japanese Military tried to destroy during WWII.

To protect it the girls made a barricade

with desks, chairs and themselves and hid it from the soldiers.

Some real-life tragedies and adventures are stranger than movies.

Chopin was "enemy music" so it was banned

whereas Beethoven was okay.

Killing a Eighth Route Army POW will make you fearless.

Do it.

In your arms, my head against your chest

If you stab a human directly in the ribcage

the blade won't reach the heart.

So you stick it up at an angle!

He called you a swine.

You're dead.

Not you.

You.

Come here.

Shigeru.

Stab him.

No, sir.

You gutless coward!

I'll watch.

- Are you His Majesty's soldier? - I'm in the audience!

Sergeant...

Maybe you can kill a woman. You want to stick it in?

I've never...

Come here, woman!

My name is Ai Zhen. It means Love Princess.

So?

Mother gave me the name.

Women are tools. They don't need names.

That's a hand bomb...

A hand grenade!

Death by explosion!

The toughest wins.

I'll kill every single one of you!

He once had a promising future as a boxer but

he had to quit when he punched his opponent to death.

Now he can kill as much as he wants. How's that?

Okinawa, 1925 before the Pacific War

Something white is falling. What is it?

It's snow.

Snow?

It falls from the sky.

It's lovely!

What's this fruit on the tree?

- They're pears. - Really!

Pears don't grow in Okinawa.

Join us. Come right here!

Japan is diverse!

It's small but there are 4 seasons.

- We only have summer here. - Our sea's always blue.

And the beautiful sea!

The sea is beautiful in Okinawa. Come on, Shoei.

It's so blue!

The beach is like our home.

When we were kids, you were much taller than me.

You taught me how to swim.

Kick! Kick the water!

Kaya Nakama, 18, Okinawan

A pear farmer chose a bride

who was shorter than a pear tree.

Shorter than a pear tree?

So that she can pick pears from below.

Short as a tree...

I'm not eligible to be a pear farmer's wife.

No, you aren't.

It's OK. I'll marry you!

It's the rain, raindrops fall

It rains in Okinawa like it does everywhere.

Okinawan folks are very fond of rain.

If it rained on the day I marry, I won't cry.

And then...

The red straps of my wooden sandals suddenly gave way...

We promised to marry on that beach.

If it rained on the day I marry, I won't cry.

The red straps of my wooden sandals

suddenly... gave... way.

Soon the Pacific War sneaked up on then.

On December 8, 1941 (JST)Soon the Pacific War sneaked up on then.

On December 8, 1941 (JST)

the US Naval Base was attacked in Pearl Harbor.

Shoei.

Is Shoei Iraha here?

Village Leader. You're working late...

Congratulations!

I brought his draft notice!

Okinawa, 1944. By this autumn Japan is losing the war.

This draft notice was commonly known as the "red paper."

Shoei...

When you receive one

you're sent to the battlefront to be killed.

He's a local official, not a postman.

Men like him delivered "red papers"

to draftees in rural areas.

Pika!

Pika! It flashed!

Don't be silly.

Big brother!

- Good luck. - You look great.

Serve the country well.

I won't kill anyone.

- Shoei. - Serve the country...

Serve the country and...

Brother.

Good luck, Shoei.

Manchuria, a few months later. Good luck, Shoei.

Manchuria, a few months later.

Just pretend.

Pretend...

Then he won't hit you.

He won't hit me...?

It'll hurt!

I'll kill every one of you!

Take it easy.

He broke my nose once.

Don't defy the old Sergeant from hell.

Just pretend to stab him.

So you're from Okinawa?

I'm a Ryukyu delinquent.

Ryukyu...

The Ryukyu Kingdom unified smaller states in the 5th century.

It was subordinate to Japan and China when invaded by Japan in 1608.

Until Imperial Japan declared it Okinawa Prefecture in 1879.

But Okinawan residents aren't considered Japanese.

My wooden sandals

suddenly... gave... way.

It's a promise.

You seem to understand the Okinawan dialect.

I vaguely remember it...

We're friends then.

We are.

I'm Kameji Kinjo. My father is the Okiman village leader.

LEADER KAMEKICHI KINJO

A proud Japanese.

My Japanese friend.

A Ryukyuan!

My name is Hosuke Tori.

Maybe I have another name...

Shoei!

Is Shoei Iraha here? I brought him his draft notice!

Congratulations!

Some things remain...

I'm not smart...

It's OK.

- -what they are.

- Shoei. - Kaya.

It's a promise.

I'd come home as a victor!

So I told everyone as I left home

How dare I die worthlessly

We've got a live one here.

Doing my best to serve the country, sir!

I'll reward you.

I'd like to eat.

Until I'm full! Mom made me huge rice balls with bright yellow pickles...

His Majesty's soldiers fight on empty stomach!

There's nothing to feed a half-pint.

Mom's huge rice balls...

I hope Kenta's doing well, Dear.

Why not? My son will be fine wherever he is.

"Look, at the cherry blossoms."

The bugle signals "Charge!"

I guess they'll fall now.

The bugle signals "Charge!"

I see with my eyes closed...

I see with my eyes closed...

How does it go?

It's actually, "The rows of banners"

but "Mother's face" is what comes to mind.

Mother's face...

I see with my eyes closed the rows of banners

Mothers like to fill up their boys. That's all they want.

It'll hurt.

It hurts, sir!

- Guns are lethal... - I have my fist instead!

- Poor man. - You used to be a boxer.

What if I was?

I won't kill anyone!

What did you say...?

Run.

How dare you expose my past! I'll kill you all!

After the Allied invasion

the Japanese killed over 800 Okinawan civilians.

This is for your country! You're serving the Emperor.

- It hurts. - Live long His Majesty.

7 more bodies!

Look at the Okinawan people. They die to conserve food supplies.

They kill their own people. That's war.

It's dreadful...

- I can see with my eyes closed... - Mother's face!

I convinced myself that the Sergeant let me go, that I wasn't a deserter.

I ran home as fast as I could.

Kaya!

Welcome back to our hometown.

Kaya!

Okinawa's sea was so blue...

Village leader...?

Sir?

Who did this to you, sir?

It's for...

The country.

For the country?

Sacrifice yourself for the country. Give up your woman.

No, you won't get near our women and children.

You can't even take care of yourself.

And you call yourself a righteous Japanese man!

A Japanese!

How about you, Okinawan?

Are you a Japanese man?

I'm a man!

A man. A person as each of us is.

You're not a person! Troopmate, where are you?

If we accepted that we're all the same, there'd be peace.

Kaya!

It's been months since he left home.

Mother...

Mother.

What's this knife for...?

Serve the country and...

Kaya?

Shoei.

You're alive!

What happened?

What's this fake mustache for?

Shoei.

I made myself useful...

Useful...?

I'm too tall to be a pear farmer's wife...

But I put my tall body to good use.

Comply... unless you want to die to conserve food.

Sister!

I'm the right size for you.

- No! - Size?

- Run, I'll take care of this. - I can't leave you here!

Get it over and done with if you want to live.

You're a nice size.

Return to the blue Okinawan seas when the war is over.

What if it rains?

It won't! Okinawa is always sunny and the sea always blue.

- But... - I'm ready.

- I'll come back. - Go away.

Tall as a telephone pole but a woman is a woman.

A woman. A troopmate!

My troopmate, my dear troopmate

Let me make fun of your silly mustache

The village leader never vilified or glorified the war.

Kaya, don't die...

We had fun, didn't we?

At the sea...

We had so much fun.

We'll go back and swim there one day...

Our...

Beautiful...

Blue sea... where we swam.

It's a promise.

It's... a... promise...

"When my turn comes to die"

"I hope you don't wear makeup."

"I hope you don't wear makeup."

"The Blind Autumn" by Chuya Nakahara

I was happy.

Yes, we were.

"My tainted sorrow, is like a coat of fox fur"

"My tainted sorrow, is unsettled as the night falls."

"My Sorrow Has Been Tainted" by Chuya Nakahara

I would never kill anybody!

Because our minds are one, every word you say

sounds like something from home.

My dear friend.

When you leave home to marry who would you go with?

I'd walk alone under my umbrella.

If it rained on the day I marry, I won't cry.

I won't kill.

In the rain, the moon hides behind the clouds

When you leave home to marry who would you go with?

Audiences freely feel affection for movie heroines

but they tend to forget about real-life heroines.

Maybe we've forgotten the real Noriko.

I know what it is.

Tell me.

I know it very well.

I don't know anything.

Because I really...

I really want to know.

I won't forget you, Noriko

until the day there is no war.

Until we achieve a peaceful future.

OK!

A steam engine runs through Japan's summer.

Where am I?

Are you OK?

- I had a dream. - With a happy ending?

History is a lie.

It rained.

Then it's a lie. It's sunny!

May I ask you something?

What?

What is the date today?

It's August 1st 1945, of course.

August, 1945...

We'll lose the war soon...

Don't say that, boys...

In August the war will end...

August...?

My name is Setsuko Miyachi.

I'm on my way back to Onomichi.

Where's this train headed? Why did you tell us your name?

In case something happens to me... For the baby.

Don't you know where the train's going?

Coochie coo!

It's going to Hiroshima.

When do they drop the A-bomb?

Soon. On August 6.

- A bomb? - They'll drop an atomic bomb!

- Tickets please. - Tickets?

- Here. - Where did I put it?

- I lost it! - Me too.

Going to Onomichi?

Are we?

I know him...

Your silly mustache!

- Have we met? - Maybe in a movie?

Have we?

Let me make fun of your silly mustache

- I know the song. - You're movie actors?

Well...

You're the army entertainment troupe? Keep up the good job.

Your friends are in the other car.

I'll take you to them.

Is it free then...?

- I found some young actors. - Sorry?

Sir.

- Did you fight in the war? - The war?

I was at the battlefront so long ago, that I forgot.

You forgot...?

And you are...

- You are... - They are...

Do we know you?

I don't think we've performed anywhere together.

You're actors?

- Yes. No. - Yes.

Which is it?

Mr. Maruyama, I have an idea.

Maybe they will do...?

They're too young for Rickshaw Man...

You think so?

- We're... - A theatre troupe!

In this crisis, actors must join troupes.

We go around to military plants, and hospitals.

We need authorization to perform.

We have a situation.

A situation?

Can we help you?

We're temporarily based in Hiroshima while we tour around there.

On our way back from a show Mr. Maruyama fell ill with pleurisy.

- He's central to the Sakura Troupe. - Oh!

So you're Mr. Sadao Maruyama!

Sakura Troupe... and the Atomic bomb.

Atomic?

- Atmospheric. - What?

Their performances are.

We'll have to cancel our show in Sanin if we can't replace him.

Oh no.

I hate the idea of disappointing people in these bleak times.

When is it?

August 6.

The A-bomb day.

August 6...

You're scheduled to be in Sanin on August 6?

- Away from Hiroshima. - If it's cancelled?

- We'd be in Hiroshima. - That's no good!

You agree?

OK.

- I'll play his part! - How enthusiastic.

Can you act?

I can.

Shigeru!

We could try Mr. Okamoto's play, The White Tiger Brigade...

- I know that! - We're samurai.

You do?

It'd be our honor to die fighting.

Go back to your mom!

You need to imagine their situation and think you're there.

They don't have to imagine. They were there with them.

Please do it!

No one knows why there were only women in the troupe.

It looks like a lot of fun.

Smoke is rising from the North Tower!

There're twice as many of them!

It's too late.

It's the Mt. Imori scene.

I can't see for smoke but with flames and enemy

all around, we will lose 200 years of history.

- Shigeru is acting! - In a samurai costume!

A good yakuza is well dressed.

He's perfect!

Yes I am.

Our Lord is trapped.

- So are my uncles. - Father.

- My mother. - Sisters.

My brother.

- We can't... - walk away.

We can't.

We can't!

- They're right. - It's you!

The towns along this train line are on fire from the Allied air raids.

It's you!

We're to guard the city around the castle.

The White Tiger Brigade...!

You're still alive!

Go back to your mom!

- We're samurai. - If you die, that's it!

It would be.

Who are you?

You lost! Think about how to live wisely!

- Use your brain. - Yes, be smart!

Hit him with the blunt end!

He blacked out.

Why do people kill each other in war?

It's the death knell...

To mourn the dead.

The castle will remain standing.

Mario is so involved in the movie that he's overacting.

It's a dangerous sign.

We can't advance and yet we can't retreat...

Good.

Your focus was very impressive.

Maybe we'll be OK.

I agree.

I'm moved... your performance was incredible!

Performance?

More Japanese must die! Issue more draft notices!

- What did I do? - You acted so well.

Some women had a group like White Tiger Brigade.

Right! What happened to Takeko Nakano?

She fought bravely.

Advance!

We were prepared to sacrifice ourselves for friends and family.

Hold on, Yuko!

Then Takeko was shot.

Sister!

Yuko, help me die honorably.

She'd help her sister end her life.

Go on.

Sister...

It's raining...

The village rain is gentle, I feel its embrace.

I love how it's so warm...

It's getting heavier.

- You think he's OK? - Boys don't mind the rain.

It's raining. I wish mom would come for me.

I'll go and meet him.

That's what...

Good beer!

- -mothers do.

- Hi! - Mom!

It's OK, Mommy is here.

The 3 of us might be split up

but I'll take care of our son while you're away.

Thank you.

You're meant to split up...

I love mustaches!

- Be back for dinner! - Have a nice day!

Even during the Pacific War

most people's lives went on as usual.

With their husbands off fighting

the women back home found ways to survive.

How peaceful it could be.

No time for delusions.

Look at the moon...!

It wasn't an option to quit fighting and go back to their families.

Takeko wrote a death poem and wrapped it around her sword.

- Help me die honorably! - Sister...

As I depart...

"Compared to a samurai's bravery"

"What I do would mount to little"

Takeko Nakano Women and Children Brigade

Give me the gun! We're out of ammo.

Mother...

All the teenage boys, women and children died.

Dad was wrong about movies having happy endings.

A peaceful cinema—after the war

Grandpa, you keep dozing off.

I do that because it's a good movie.

But it's very violent.

When I was a boy I was His Majesty's subject and a militarist.

Did militarists sleep a lot?

With gritted teeth and eyes wide open.

How can you sleep?

Salute!

Salute?

Little one, sleep deeply and shut your eyes.

Because there's no war to fight.

Back to the fateful day, 8:07 A.M. on August 6, 1945.

Hiroshima is a peaceful home to many.

I love Hiroshima.

Setouchi Sea is so beautiful on a sunny day.

What a beautiful town!

The area is so pristine.

They targeted it to gauge the A-bomb's power.

This symbolic building would be known as the Atomic Bomb Dome.

It's the Hiroshima Prefectural Products Exhibition Hall.

They were tricked.

We have no time. How will we save them?

They stop to scheme.

Takarazuka Revue inspired me to be an actor.

But it was your play, Mr. Maruyama, that opened my eyes.

I played men in Takarazuka.

The movements are graceful and it's unambiguous.

- But it was heartless. - Heartless?

It's about entertaining audiences and appearances.

That's all I used to care about.

But Mr. Maruyama's character in Rickshaw Man was so alive!

With Haruko Sugimura.

- Oh, that! - I'm clueless.

He played Matsugoro and when he told the widow he loves her,

he played it differently every performance.

Because good performances reflect your state of mind.

It was a revelation so I wanted to study under him.

Ms. Sonoi.

I'm not a good actor.

Sir...

- What's important for an actor is... - Sensitivity.

Yes, and health.

Health...

These young actors have it in abundance but I don't.

It's the basis of good acting.

Teach them well.

Yes. Let's practice.

Kyoko, let's go over the act.

(1) National ritual.

- What's that? - Rise.

Citizens pledged allegiance to the Empire.

Let's do this.

Sir, stay there.

Salute!

Not like the military salute.

To His Majesty in Tokyo!

Oh, me too?

Salute with respect!

Like, how?

- Like this? - At ease!

(2) National Anthem.

And we sing the anthem.

May your reign continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations...

In gratitude to fallen heroes, the military's success

and the Great Asia War victory. Salute!

After the organizers' speeches and a 3-minute break, it's showtime.

(3) The best scenes of Rickshaw Man.

Do you know the movie version with Tsumasaburo Bando?

A great B&W movie! After the war, Mifune did a color version

with Hideko Takamine. Shintaro Katsu made one too!

Ken Takakura wanted to star in it.

Ms. Sonoi was in the first one!

Now for casting... The siren!

- In Hiroshima? - No way.

- That's not how it went. - To the shelter!

- Noriko. - Kyoko!

I want a read-through!

Quickly, everyone!

We're the only ones panicking.

No one's worried because Hiroshima hasn't been bombed so far.

- You don't want the role? - Not after Kawamura was drafted...

Atomic?

The Sakura Corps.

- Atmospheric. - What?

Their performances are.

I'll play Toshio, the son.

PFC Kawamura is busy with the antitank maneuver.

Maybe he's in a hot spring. Or doing ballet.

Shigeru, you have a wild imagination.

He wore a brand new loincloth he'd kept for this day.

He had no food or bullets. His country had abandoned him.

That's often how things go in reality.

Like 6 Tons of Rice...

When Nagaoka Domain lost the civil war.

Mr. Yuzo Yamamoto made it into a play.

People were starving so 6 tons of rice were donated.

But they built a school with the proceeds.

When people were starving? Why?

Because education would improve their lives 10,000-fold.

Losing a war taught them that it was better to invest in the future.

While winners focus on the money under their nose.

I remember a line from the play.

Yes?

"No blood would been shed if we could see the consequences."

Like Sakamoto and Saigo...

What's bright is...

Pop's bald head!

Bald head.

I wish I could go to America...

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto graduated from the school built from the rice.

He was reluctant to go to war with the US

but he commanded the Navy at Pearl Harbor.

A typical Japanese mentality.

Typical?

Conformity over logic. In war or peace... or anything.

As if to cautiously choose someone to love

pull peace toward yourself.

I came to cheer him up.

I thought you were still ill.

PLAYWRIGHT KAORU OSANAI

- This is my latest play. - "The Fiancée."

Oh, my!

Here.

"I told her I loved her first."

"I beat you to it."

It's another hot day.

A potato?

Welcome neighbors. We're about to begin!

I hope you will enjoy our open rehearsal today!

The best scenes of Rickshaw Man. The curtain opens!

Exit devils! Enter good fortune!

Kyoko Habara's loud voice makes her the best master of ceremony.

Keiko Sonoi walks her way of life with saké.

As if to cautiously choose someone to love

pull peace toward yourself.

Though there's no other way but ahead.

You're this age without ever marrying.

Both Torakichi and Kumakichi are married with children...

I'm afraid we've been too dependent on you.

Exit devils! Enter good fortune!

You know something, Mrs. Yoshioka.

I've never really liked women.

I avoided them and everyone knew that.

Until you came into my life.

Your husband was good to me before he died so...

I looked after you because I owed him.

I always looked forward to visiting your son because I love kids.

Truly.

But whenever I stood before you

it felt like the clouds in the sky ripped open to pour out stars.

That's true, too.

Matsugoro...

Halt!

There is no turning back. You must follow your fate.

Stop this scandalous play at once!

A rickshaw man falling for a widow! It's unacceptable!

This is unpatriotic! Who's in charge?

I am.

But Mr. Maruyama...

In that case, tell me if this performance is authorized?

Potatoes! I wish they were sweeter!

We're the Sakura Troupe, we travel around entertaining.

Our show is tomorrow and it certainly is authorized.

- No excuses! - Potatoes?

We serve the country with our performances.

The Honorable Minister of Education granted us a motto.

"Theatre is ammunition!"

- You have an ulterior motive. - One each.

You're not serving Japan. You spread antiwar ideology.

I revoke your authorization!

Rickshaw Man starring Tsumasaburo Bando and Keiko Sonoi had

10 minutes edited out for that exact reason.

After the war, the Occupation Forces cut 8 more minutes of it.

Losing 18 minutes to the whims of 2 powers

it remains a masterpiece in Japanese cinema history.

A perfect marriage of the performers and audiences' imagination.

What it reflects is a desperate romance.

Like Sadao Maruyama and Keiko Sonoi's.

It inspires an eternal and passionate romance like theirs...

I love you.

Me too, Mr. Maruyama.

"Playwright Osanai Dies"

Not just him. I loved you too. "Playwright Osanai Dies"

"Playwright Osanai Dies"

They left?

They cancelled our show.

We'll take the first train out of Hiroshima tomorrow!

A devastating bomb will be dropped here!

Do you know what you are saying?

How do you know that?

He's very spiritual.

- I believe him. - Mario.

You've got nothing to lose!

Please!

Stay away from Hiroshima just for a day.

But Mr. Maruyama can't move about...

I'll piggyback him!

- I believe him. - Shozo?

There's an increasing risk of air raids in Hiroshima.

And we have no performance.

Maybe those who can evacuate should.

How about you?

I'll stay where I am. There's no escaping wars.

Then I'll remain with you.

I will too.

Me too.

Can I come with you?

So you believe me?

I don't want to be the only one running away...

But

I'm responsible for my niece.

She helps prepare our meals but she should go.

I'll drop her off with my sister in Fukuyama and come straight back.

Kyoko...

Thank you.

Kyoko is late.

- She said she'd meet us here... - But the train's leaving!

Mario.

- Noriko. - Where is Kyoko?

This letter's from her.

Hello, I'm travelling alone.

"Mr. Maruyama doesn't feel well. I can't come."

"Make sure Noriko gets to this address."

It's Kyoko Habara's handwriting...

- Can you make it by yourself, Noriko? - Yes.

- Be happy. - OK.

Remember your stop.

Thank you so much! Thank you!

You heard her? I think we did well.

Thank you!

What about us though?

- We can't leave them. - We'll go all the way.

To the Sakura Troupe!

Hurry!

Thank you, Mario!

- We're the audience. Will we die too? - I bled.

If we just watch nothing will change!

My chest hurts.

A movie can change the future if not the past!

We make our happy endings!

The flower hair ornament.

My love for Mr. Maruyama.

Noriko?

Everyone, you have to protect me. Make sure you do!

Make sure Noriko gets to this address.

I hear an airplane...

August 6, 1945.

1-40, Sumiyoshi, Fukuyama.

Kyoko Habara.

That doesn't sound like a good idea

- I'll harvest potatoes. - Nice big ones!

It'll be another hot day.

I'm back.

To live is to be with someone you love.

That's a huge plane. Will I fail to protect them again?

That plane...

It's 8:15 A.M.

That's an airplane.

How strange...

This is the Imperial General Headquarters.

All children during the war

reinterpreted the Battleship March and sang it like this.

Jan-Jan-Jakarta or sweet potatoes!

Sweet potatoes are sweeter than Jakarta potatoes.

Staples like potatoes were hard to obtain.

Even radish leaves looked good.

Imperiled General And A Radish Quartered

Imperial General Headquarters.

The locals kids and elders taught them to sing,

Jan-Jan-Jakarta or sweet potatoes!

Then it went, "Imperiled General And A Radish Quartered."

I believed that the man who came up with the funny song

must be a nice man.

The man must have sympathized

with us children who'd eventually die serving the Empire.

During the war, adults didn't teach kids how to die

but tried to get us to relax and enjoy it instead.

I remember that with gratitude.

But we had no idea that in the meantime

we were being duped by the Empire's stupid decisions.

By every announcement we heard on the radio.

This is the Imperial General Headquarters.

Imperiled General And A Radish Quartered!

This is an air raid warning.

Earlier this morning

the Imperial Intelligence detected a B-29 enemy bomber

headed in the direction of Hiroshima.

But the warning has been cancelled.

We ignored the early warning

because we believed that the plane would fly by.

You're safe, Hiroshima citizens. The American devils have no bombs left.

You can go back to your daily military services.

It's sunny. It's a typical Japanese summer sky!

I came back for you.

Noriko.

Mario.

This is B-29, the Enola Gay, on its way to deploy the A-bomb.

Noriko!

- Mario, together we will... - Don't die!

8:15 A.M. The Uranium fission bomb was called the "Little Boy."

Mario, together we'll live!

Pika!

Mario!

"Some generations ago there was a brown war."

"Generations later everyone gathers tonight"

"With the nostalgia of a damn parachute."

"Swiing, wiing, swing-wing."

"Circus" by Chuya Nakahara

I won't let the war kill me. I'll survive in the memories

of someone I love.

Noriko.

I know what it is.

You have to tell me.

I know it very well.

Because I don't know anything.

I know what it is...

Finally I do.

Pika! A moment after the flash...

There was a "Boom!"

Many of those who'd lived long enough to hear the boom

survived afterwards.

Those who were far from ground zero.

The ones who were right there died instantly, in a flash.

That's how it was with our dear Noriko.

With the flash she evaporated. With no time to know what happened.

Pika! And...

That was the end of it. Then came...

Boom!

Noriko. So this is it.

Mario.

Setouchi Kinema will close tonight. After that we'll never meet.

I tagged along with your cinephilia for years

but movies taught me

about war history and Japan's responsibility in it.

When the Atomic bomb was detonated above Hiroshima

I died with the flash of light.

My beloved Dr. Muddlehead escaped the film to the real world.

Oh my! Look at Dr. Muddlehead.

He escaped the movie to the real world.

It's a scandal!

He went to Tank Rock too. So don't worry.

If I learned to live in the real world

would you marry me, Noriko?

OK!

Mario, together we'll live.

- I won't forget you! - Thank you.

- Noriko. - Mario.

"A boy plays a drum and flute on a tatami mat on Sunday."

"It starts to rain outside on the lattice wall."

"June Rain" by Chuya Nakahara

As he plays it starts to rain

There was a blinding flash of light

then it turns dark before it rains.

Black rain.

If I have a memory of the war I didn't experience

I guess it's remembered by the Atomic Bomb Dome.

It's so hot...

- Pressed flowers... - A memento of our time together.

"The Fiancée"

The Sakura Troupe members died with the flash

before they realized.

Kyoko Habara, died at age 22.

Ayako Morishita, died at 23.

Ayako Ryu, died at 41.

Tsuyako Shimaki, died at 22.

Kayo Komuro, died at 30.

Those who heard the boom died

days later from radioactive exposure.

Sadao Maruyama, died on August 16 at 44.

Shozo Takayama, died on August 20 at 21.

Keiko Sonoi, died on August 21 at 32.

Midori Naka, died on August 24 at 36.

I was also burned to death...

Mario.

I'm left with nothing but one thing.

With the name of my fictional lover.

I lost everything I had.

People from any period of time should be free

to live his future, her present.

I won't forget...

About Noriko and the others...

I'll never forget them.

I'm sure young Noriko wanted to burn

in a passionate romance instead of the A-Bomb inferno.

Mario.

I love you.

So do I, Sadao...

"The Fiancée"

And the war is over...

So quiet is autumn in the village

Falling fruit out the back is the only sound tonight

Reminding me that I'm alone with Mother

And autumn comes again to this country

as usual.

Many Japanese fondly recall this song.

It gave hope to those waiting for the soldiers to return but...

Some didn't and if they did, their loved ones may have died.

All the lies to the end...

Palm trees on the island...

Before, during and after the war

the country deceived its people.

Dad, I can't go in your spaceship so I looked in the real world but

I couldn't find a "happy ending" anywhere.

I've lived much longer than you and

I've seen a lot of unhappiness in my life.

But I want you to learn from movies

and make your future happier.

After all, movies and you are fiction to me.

Right. You're so clever and beautiful.

That's from you.

"The magic box of cinema. Final all-nighter!"

Chuya wrote the following poem a few days after the Mukden Incident.

Which is what sparked Japan's invasion of China

and the World War which ended with Japan's defeat.

It was one trigger.

And Chuya Nakahara's century-old concern is true today...

"Dark clouds gather behind humanity."

"Hardly anyone notices it."

"If you saw it, you'd feel as sick as I do."

"Therefore I believe that"

"those who feel sick know what's happening."

"One Autumn Night" by Chuya Nakahara

All humans on Earth wanted to go to war.

It's a past that can't be reversed.

But each of us has the power to make a future

where war has no place in our everyday lives.

Remember the Chuya poem at the opening.

A century later things seem worse.

But there are things our hands can turn to.

All of you in the audience sing along! You ain't heard nothin' yet!

OK?

OK!

Happily ever after!

Make it cheerful and fun!

So the audience gets to live?

It's as if movies demand that I do something with my life.

I was asked to protect Noriko. A yakuza keeps promises.

I'm also obliged to learn and change my thinking.

I have a promise, too.

I have to make it up to Noriko.

It went well.

It was fun, a night of film and music.

Thank you for coming.

It was a long night! How was it?

I failed to make it up to Noriko...

- It's almost impossible. - Because she's dead!

Thanks for every day of your 30 years here.

Noriko...?

It's a promise.

Mario...

If we ever meet again in the far future

will you marry me on a rainy day?

If it rained on the day I marry...

Mario.

A rainy day...

Promise me, for everyone.

You can see her!

That's wonderful! You know I can see things.

Of course I can see things.

It's raining! Maybe I'll imitate Dad and chant.

- Rather than fight? - I must get tougher then!

I want to be kind to people.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, from last night...

Let's stroll in the spring rain.

You're gallant.

Come in out of the rain.

Auntie, Boss, thanks for the experience.

I feel awakened thanks to you.

"Stay righteous through Buddha."

Dad lost his father in the war and he told me so.

I'll be truly gallant.

Are you, by any chance, our Noriko...?

I heard the boom.

I am here to share my frightening experience.

- Noriko! - Yes, older me.

You were killed in the war.

Yes, I know.

But as long as I remember you

you'll live, Noriko.

That's why I have to be here.

Thank you, Noriko.

I love it when I'm embraced by

the warm and gentle Setouchi rain.

I lost my vision to pika.

I managed to hang on and heard the boom.

Two Norikos in one body.

Both will always be here.

The two Norikos in one body will never go away.

Mario.

I'll never forget Noriko.

Mario...

- It's time we depart. - Onto another journey.

It's dawn on a new day.

This was your last day at

Setouchi Kinema.

Your job as the owner

ends now.

Thank you.

My blind eyes.

We're closing.

Thanks for coming.

The officer continues to keep an eye on us.

Their presence is foreboding.

Your mom died during the last trip.

You've been flying for 40 years.

It's been 22 years and 18 days since I said goodbye.

Since that fateful day at 2:46 P.M. on March 11, 2011.

I'm all alone in the peaceful universe.

We're apart but together. That's universal love.

So love is big like the universe?

Our lovely Earth is embraced by the universe, we're family.

Universe is like Mom.

It would be nice if everyone in the universe was family.

To young people who want a future

where no one knows wars,

we dedicate this movie with blessing and envy.

In order for us to achieve world peace

there are many thing our hands can turn to.

Mario...

Before "The End" let me interrupt the movie with a song.

I hope you enjoy it.

Peace to the world!

Throw out your arms and dance to the boogie

Give up your swords Give them up now

Enter Warrior, Muchabo Benkei, on the Gojo Bridge

Give up your swords Give them up now

Knives and slingshots are tame but they can get you in trouble

So throw away your arms, any arms and let's boogie-woogie

You built a battleship only to have it sink in the sea

Build me a house so I can take my sweetheart on a honeymoon

You build A-bombs and H-bombs only to see humankind in peril

Build me a freeway so I can take my sweetheart for a drive

Throw out your arms and dance to the boogie

Give up your swords Give up your swords now!

There was an actor who was also a comedian

who was respected by young actors like Sadao Maruyama.

He was Japan's King of Comedy.

Kenichi Enomoto was fondly known as Enoken.

He sang this song straight after the war.

It was written and composed by Toriro Miki who was influential

in post-war Japan for his journalistic style.

The military industry helped Japan's post-war economy grow

with new houses, honeymoons and cars for young couples.

But have we achieved peace for future generations of

Japanese or otherwise?

The children's world is full of the seeds of brutality.

It turned out just the way Chuya Nakahara

prophesied at the start of modern times.

"They call it modernization. I call it barbarization."

"The Brutal Age"

Things are just how he foresaw them.

It's time to go.

I hope you enjoyed the song sung by our friend Tetsuya Takeda.

See you all. We'll get together again and have fun

singing "Happily ever after" when there's no war in the world.

Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi

Subtitles by Dean Shimauchi