Original subtitles

GRAND SCOPE

GRAND SCOPE

A SHOCHIKU FILM

THE SNOW FLURRY

Produced by Masaharu KOKAJI

Cinematography by Hiroyuki KUSUDA

Production Design by Chiyoo UMEDA

Music by Chuji KINOSHITA

Sound by Hisao ONO

Lighting by Ryozo TOYOSHIMA

STARRING

Keiko KISHI

Ineko ARIMA Yoshiko KUGA

Yusuke KAWAZU Chieko HIGASHIYAMA

Yasushi NAGATA Chishu RYU

Written and Directed by Keisuke KINOSHITA

The bride is coming.

Suteo?

Suteo.

Suteo.

Suteo!

You fool! How could you?

Why?

In Noto

By the river

A water wheel stands

This water wheel

As if waiting for someone

It keeps turning

It just keeps turning

What are you daydreaming about?

you know how busy we are.

Hurry up and get to work.

As you know, Sakura is our only daughter.

I don't want to hear any more wild rumours from the useless bums in the village.

All they do is talk nonsense.

You know what I'm talking about.

After all, you're the one who gave our family a bad name.

Haruko!

Why are you taking the long way?

Haruko never crosses the lower bridge.

She always takes the other bridge.

She can't let go of the guilt.

19 YEARS BEFORE

Haruko.

Haruko.

I acted courageous and promised victory

I made the pledge as I left my home

How can I die without that achievement?

As I hear the sound of the march

All I think of is the hope of my family

The burning field of trees and grass

I walk through an endless land

Carrying our country�s flag Armoured in our fighting gear

- Master. - What is it?

Please come home now.

Someone jumped from the lower bridge!

Idiot.

Master. Madam.

Madam, we have a serious situation.

Did you recover the body?

Yes.

We did everything we could, but your son didn't make it.

Was Haruko with him?

Haruko managed to make it to shore.

Is she alive then?

Yes, she is. The villagers are bringing Hideo -

I won't let that fool return to this house.

Even if he's dead.

Go and stop them.

Just leave his body in the river.

Stop the outrages, in the name of God

The loyal and brave soldiers of our country

They head off to do their duty as the nation cheers

They stand up for their beloved country

They swear to return victorious or not at all

We have returned.

Stop crying. It's embarrassing.

He was disloyal and a miserable soul.

The priest is also here.

There's no need for prayers.

- This moron. - Master.

Shame on you for tarnishing the Nagura family name.

I'll dump him in the river!

Master!

Get off me.

Master, please wait.

Don't stop me.

Master! Master!

There!

Dad?

Brother...

Brother...

Brother...

Stop crying now.

People will make fun of you if you go out like this.

I don't like sharing this with you.

But the villagers are talking about Haruko who survived the suicide.

What are they saying?

Well, her only brother is at war.

If her father passes away...

She should just kill herself.

She jumped once already. No need for her to live in shame.

But apparently, she's pregnant.

What did you say?

This wouldn't be a concern if it were only about a family of farmers.

But it's happening to a family of stature, the Nagura family.

Because of that, people tend to embellish the story.

What exactly are they saying?

Well, even though she's pregnant.

your family shows no concern for her.

Those are not their exact words.

But that's what they're referring to.

Master Nagura is eight years younger than his wife.

He was only 21 when they got married.

The late master was upset about that.

They got married because she got pregnant.

Basically, she bullied him into marrying her.

Excessive zeal seems to run in the Nagura family.

Because of their family history, Haruko doesn't have to worry about a thing.

She should proudly push her pregnant body right through their front gate.

Haruko.

I'm sorry for what you had to go through.

But don't remain depressed.

You have to stay strong and be a good mother to your child.

I came here today

to get you, following the master's instructions.

Your child is also Hideo's. So there's no need to worry.

Just imagine that you married Hideo and moved in with the Nagura family.

Okay?

I shouldn't speak with Sakura?

It's better if you stay away.

That's impossible. We live in the same house.

It's not impossible.

I've been living there for 18 years.

But I only share greetings with them.

I never initiate a conversation with any of the family members.

Haruko.

Are you still eating dinner?

Come take a look at my dance costume.

Thank you.

Don�t just thank me.

I want you to come and look.

Yes.

How about you, Suteo?

What happened? What are you angry about?

You don't have to look at it if you don't want to.

I'll go take a look.

Suteo!

Are you leaving, Nagosan-sama?

I will walkout with you I will go with you

Darkness fell before we reached the mountain road

We both lay down Using the grass as our pillow

Blowing from the faraway mountain

The chilling wind sways

The flower so noble and pure

The beautiful wild chrysanthemum

In light purple

Sakura, your grandmother wants to take you shopping in Nagano.

I don't want to go.

Don't be like that. Go change your clothes.

Will you be fine alone?

I'll bring something back for you.

Don't leave the property. People will make fun of you.

Sakura, hurry up.

I'll be back soon.

Hurry up or we'll miss the bus.

Why don't we take Suteo with us?

Don't you worry about him.

You guys ready?

You have a pathetic name.

That's because he was abandoned as a child.

What did you say?

Bastard.

Suteo! Suteo!

Stop this now.

You all must stop hurting him.

Get down on the floor and apologize now.

Apparently, it's quite an injury.

Do you have no respect for me now that Grandfather's gone?

- Grandmother! - Apologize now!

It's not just Suteo's fault.

He never shows sincerity.

He's unreasonable and stubborn.

Why don't you apologize for hurting him?

I'm truly sorry.

Please forgive him.

They called me an abandoned child, sutego. Why do I have to apologize?

You were abandoned.

That's why your name is Suteo.

How am I an abandoned child? Why is my name Suteo?

I got down on the ground like this when it happened.

Looks like he's growing into quite a baby.

But he cries a lot.

I hope he's not a nuisance for everyone.

That's what babies do. You don't have to worry.

What shall I name him?

I'd like to use the written character for �Hideo� and name him �Eichi�.

I wonder what the master would say.

Actually, the master already registered the baby at the city office.

But what about the name?

The master has given him a name.

What's the name?

I wish he had told me before he registered.

I know. I can't believe he did that.

I had an argument with him about it.

What is the registered name?

Such a cute baby.

And it's his own grandchild.

How could he have chosen Suteo?

Suteo? He named him Suteo?

He went to the city office and did the paperwork on his own.

Haruko.

Haruko.

- Let me go. - What are you going to do?

Please let me go.

Wait. You shouldn't get up yet.

I need to talk to him.

Haruko.

What's the commotion?

Master.

How could you?

What's this about?

You named him Suteo.

It's a good name. You shouldn't complain.

I beg you. Please don't give him such a name.

He's my child, my only child.

He's not your child.

He belongs to the country.

He's the replacement of that moron, Hideo. He'll give his life to his country.

That's what I told everybody at the city office.

I don't care what others say.

This kid will replace his father

and throw his life away for the country.

That's why I named him Suteo.

What don't you like about that?

I'm going to the city office to revoke the registered name.

Haruko.

Stupid. You won't be able to revoke what I have already done.

Master, I'd like to ask for the day off today.

If your father had joined the military rather than worrying about me,

it might have been better for all of us.

But your father was worried about you and me.

That's why he couldn't enlist.

People bad-mouthed us.

And this family has never shown kindness towards us.

Your father might have been a coward, but he was very kind.

Then I wasn't abandoned.

No, you never were.

Your father did everything he could not to abandon you and I.

Let's get out of this house. I can't take it anymore.

I know how you feel.

You've become the victim of an unfortunate family situation.

But this family is no longer what it was.

As part of the agrarian reform,

this family lost their huge expanse of rice fields.

And the master died in such a way.

They need my help now.

Whatever the case, we're still alive.

And look at you. You've grown to be a big boy.

I don't know what to do.

They scold me if I watch the dance.

They told me to come see the kimono, but they don't want me there.

What's the point in working here?

But this is the house of your father's family.

We must work hard so it can be prosperous again.

Then why don't they show that attitude to us?

They've never shown us kindness.

We're paying for our sin.

That's what I finally realized.

You should be thankful to Sakura for showing you kindness.

Work hard at least until she gets married.

Suteo is 18 now. He's no longer a child.

You shouldn't call him to your room.

Please stop. I'm not like you, Grandmother.

Don't make fun of me.

Who's letting you learn dance and piano?

And who's letting you keep your pretty hands unsoiled?

Even when we were in need of workers,

I refused to let you work in the fields or in the kitchen.

That's because you want a wealthy man to take on this family's name.

That's not what I want.

You carry the Nagura family name. You can't marry just anybody.

I want to put the people out there to shame.

They stole the rice fields from us.

And they're laughing at us.

I'm sure they're laughing

that even with a 25-year-old daughter, no man wants to marry into the family.

You just wait and see. I'll show them.

If we follow what Grandmother wants, no man will marry into this family.

This family is not the same

as when I married you.

If your family had contributed some funds at that time,

I'd have been an executive at a lumber company.

Here you go with your lament again.

I can't help it.

My plan was shot down.

That's why I cut ties with my family.

You have to move on.

What are you arguing about?

Why don't you worry about Sakura?

Why am I the only one who does? She's your daughter after all.

Even if we say something...

I know I'm stubborn.

But I can't rely on you two.

I wish you had more conviction.

Tatsuko, why are you getting up while I'm still talking?

Sit down now!

What's wrong with your father? He's not acting like a bride's father.

I don't demand money from him.

But I heard he started a lumber company.

And he bought up the mountains I was interested in purchasing.

He bought the land just as I showed him.

He�s just a thief!

He's a thief who stole my plan!

Are you the daughter of a thief?

Where are you going? Sit down!

I'm going to see my family.

You moron!

- Grandfather. - You...

You just want to go to your family. - I'll go talk to my father.

You don't want to be with this family anymore.

Grandfather!

There's no place for me here if you show such violence.

Go home if you want.

We didn't want you anyway since rumour had it you were ruined.

Bring me some liquor.

Didn't you hear me?

I'll go see my father and get to the bottom of this.

I'll wait for you if you want me to come back.

What's gotten into your head? Who would want you back?

Leave through the back door.

What did I do wrong?

You welcomed me through the front gate, but now...

You say I was ruined before I got married. You just wanted me for the money.

What did you say?

Mother!

Father!

Call the doctor!

Father! Father!

All my good friends are going to schools in Tokyo.

I want to go to Tokyo, too.

What are they studying in Tokyo?

Some are going to women's college.

There are schools for dressmaking and cooking.

Talk to your grandmother about it.

Why do I have to check with her for everything?

If you say it's okay, Mother, that's all that matters.

I don't have to remind you how miserable of a position I'm in.

Father has no say in anything. He's helpless.

Sakura!

Where are you off to?

To the family grave.

Come join us afterward. We'll be sketching around here.

Okay.

How could they be with male students?

I was waiting for you. Why didn't you come?

My mother wouldn't let me.

Is it because we were with the boys?

Your family is odd like that.

They have a strange perspective on male and female relationships.

Sorry if it offends you for me to say that.

But it's the truth.

I know what everyone's saying about us.

Grandmother married my grandfather who was eight years younger.

And he was only 20 then.

And the same with my late uncle...

You guys ready?

You have a pathetic name.

That's because he was abandoned as a child.

What did you say?

Suteo! Suteo!

Stop this now.

And what will she do after she goes to school in Tokyo?

I don't know that yet.

But the girls around here are all going to Tokyo.

Stop worrying about what the others are doing.

What's your plan for sending her to Tokyo?

If you feel she shouldn't go, that's fine with me.

That's not a good enough answer.

You want to send her to Tokyo.

So I'm asking why you want to send her to Tokyo.

All her friends are going to Tokyo.

I don't care about the others!

If we send her to Tokyo she'll pick up someone useless.

A daughter of the Nagura family is different from any other girl.

She's studying piano and she's learning dance.

When she finishes high school, you'll just have to teach her other things.

There are many teachers who moved here from Tokyo.

I'll have a talk with Sakura.

You're too lenient.

Since when do parents let a child control their life?

Madam. Madam?

Yes?

You have no idea about our finances.

I came to make a complaint.

I respect your family, but I can't keep quiet about this.

What is this about?

My son was seriously injured

because Suteo pushed him down into a ditch.

Tatsuko!

I'll hear your complaint against our family. Come inside.

Yes.

We can discuss this peacefully if you want to talk.

Why throw complaints against us?

We took care of you in the past. How can you act this way?

It's unfortunate.

It'd be much more fun if you could come to Tokyo with me.

All of these fields were once moneymaking lands belonging to the Nagura family.

All the way to the foot of the mountains.

We now own merely one-tenth of it.

Don't be nostalgic like that.

It's better if you're not wealthy.

Life is simpler that way.

But I was born into the Nagura family.

It seems strange to me

that you play the piano inside this huge, old-fashioned house.

My life will be crushed by the weight of this household.

As if waiting for someone

It keeps turning

What are you daydreaming about?

You know how busy we are.

Hurry up and get to work.

Suteo.

Why don't you come see me dance tomorrow?

You haven't been to Nagano in a while.

But I shouldn't.

If you're not interested, I'll ask your mother.

But if you want to see it, I'd like you to come and bring my costume.

But,

I shouldn't go.

Are you worried about something?

Don't worry about what other people will say.

But I really shouldn't go.

Don't worry about what grandmother and my mother say to you.

We've been friends since we were little.

Aren't you done here for today?

When you were little, I used to entertain you with my dancing.

Ever since then, when I practice my dancing,

you're the one who has paid attention to me.

That's why I want you to come.

What do you think about me living in this household?

What do you mean?

I was born and raised in the Nagura family.

But I'm not considered a family member.

I think of you as my younger brother.

But everybody else hates both me and my mother.

They've never shown us kindness.

I know you've had a hard life. I feel for you.

But you know I don't have a happy life either.

If you weren't around, I wouldn't know what to do.

I feel the same.

Let's be friends forever, at least the two of us.

- Bring me a cup of tea. - Yes.

Make sure you dance well tomorrow.

I didn't let you participate in useless recitals in the past.

But tomorrow's recital is different.

You might as well have been practicing for tomorrow's recital all along.

Why is that?

I was going to talk to you about this later.

Someone who's interested in marrying you is coming tomorrow.

Haruko, don't tell this to anyone.

Understood.

In Noto

By the river

A water wheel stands

This water wheel

As if waiting for someone

It keeps turning

It just keeps turning

Are you leaving, Nagosan-sama?

I will walkout with you I will go with you

Darkness fell Before we reached the mountain road

We both lay down Using the grass as our pillow

You must be performing your dance as I write this.

I'm sure you're the most beautiful dancer.

When everyone's eyes are on your graceful movements,

I know one person is happier than anyone else in the audience.

He must be fixated on you with joy.

I wish you the best for your marriage.

I'm home.

You're eating your dinner now?

Did you come back alone?

Yes. Everyone else is having dinner with someone.

- The arranged meeting? - I guess so.

She was so beautiful.

Anyone would be taken with her.

I'm sure it'll go well.

I'll eat dinner, too.

Mother!

Did you write this?

Tear it up if I did something wrong.

Sakura cared for you the most.

It will make me happy if Sakura finds someone that's suitable for her.

I wish her happiness.

She's such a kind person.

I know you feel the same.

But if Grandmother or her mother were to find your letter,

I don't know what they'd do to you.

Then tear it up.

It's better if we tear it up.

I should eat dinner. I'm hungry. Let's go.

Didn't you grill the sardines?

I'll grill them for you.

That's okay. I'll just have rice and tea.

The fire's ready. It won't take long.

Then I'll go get changed.

What a beautiful moon.

It's time for a full moon.

You haven't finished your dinner. Let's eat the sardines together.

Isn't nice to be on our own in this big house?

I know we're always nervous in this house.

The sardines are delicious.

Make sure you eat a lot.

We only have each other.

Why don't we have any relatives?

My family ties were cut off and my brother died in the war.

But why do we have to rely on this family?

I'm a hard worker and so are you.

Until someone marries into this family and becomes Sakura's husband,

we should stay here.

We'll leave this household then?

Yes. I'll go with you anywhere you want to go.

Looks like someone has been visiting.

- Go get Sakura for me. - Yes.

It'll be better if he takes on our family name.

Are those the first words out of your mouth?

How about saying you're happy or relieved?

It's a good thing.

I'm always thinking about this family even though you two may not be.

I wonder what other people would say.

They'll say no man wants to marry into the Nagura family.

So our daughter had to leave home to find a husband.

You should take a lesson from Mr. Sumida if you're feeling inferior.

His family is one of the wealthiest in Nagano. So their second son is more than adequate.

Sakura, you're very fortunate.

I'm very relieved.

Sakura, you must thank your grandmother.

Your grandmother made this happen for you.

There's no need to thank me.

Congratulations to you.

It doesn't matter what happens to our family now.

We only had our family name to hang onto.

I doubted that any good man would want to take on our family name.

I'm fine with the family name ending with your generation.

You can sell the property if you want.

I have my pride back again.

Our family's daughter is marrying into a family everyone will be jealous of.

This will amaze the people out there.

I have my pride again.

I married a younger man and had to live with people talking behind my back.

This family is now saved from disgrace and back to being glorious.

I can die happy now.

Congratulations to you, Miss Sakura.

Congratulations to all of you.

- So you heard everything. - Yes.

Then go spread the good news.

Sakura is marrying into a very wealthy family.

It's the son of the prominent Mr. Sumida.

The wedding is next February, so we don't have much time.

Suteo!

Suteo!

Suteo!

Suteo, why did you have to run away?

Aren't you happy for me?

Congratulations.

Thank you. Are you really happy for me?

Congratulations. I'm very happy for you.

I'm very happy, too.

I can finally leave that house.

I didn't care who it was as long as it was someone who wanted me.

Promise you'll be happy for me.

You're happy for me, aren't you?

Thank you.

Miss Sakura.

Yes?

Your friend came to see you.

It's Miss Inui from your high school.

Miss Inui is visiting?

Yes, she's waiting in your room.

I haven't seen her for so long. Thank you.

- Miss Sakura. - What is it?

Congratulations on your engagement.

We're both very happy for you.

This is from Suteo to express his congratulations.

Mother!

It's fine since it shows your true feelings.

Suteo, thank you.

I'll never forget you.

Why did you show her my note?

I know everything.

When you left the house earlier,

I felt sorry for you and wanted to cry.

When I was young, I jumped into that river with your father.

I understand more than anybody.

This is the first time you've said that.

That's what everybody told me when I was a child.

Suteo.

It must have been hard for you.

You must have hated me.

But ever since I tried to die with your father,

I've never felt like I was alive.

I've felt empty inside.

I know it was hard for you.

But that was the only way for me to survive in that evil household.

I didn�t jump in the river as a prank.

�You must be performing your dance as I write this.

I'm sure you're the most beautiful dancer.

When everyone's eyes are on your graceful movements,

I know one person is happier than anyone else in the audience.

He must be fixated on you with joy.

I wish you the best for your marriage�.

Suteo was only a child just the other day, but he's grown up now.

I think he�s jealous.

I'm the only one who's nice to him.

�I wish you the best for your marriage�.

I say the same to you.

But I know you'll be happy.

I haven't been happy at all up until now.

I remember it.

It was in this room when you told me

that your life would be crushed by the weight of this household.

But you can finally leave this house.

I really wanted to go to school with you in Tokyo.

But it was good that you stayed here.

You think so?

Remember what I said?

Life is simpler if you're not wealthy.

I came here today to ask you to lend me some money.

I know it's a sudden request.

Are you unhappy?

I'm happy.

Well, I'm not sure that I'm truly happy.

But I don't let it get to me.

When I said it was better for you to stay here,

you said, �You think so?�

I don't have any such doubts in my life.

I'm very happy with my life.

I know your marriage will be a happy one.

But you barely know the man.

So you won't know if you can truly love him until you marry him.

But I'm in love with a man,

even though I have to come see an old friend to borrow money.

But I still love him.

I love him even though we're extremely poor.

I think I'll love him until I die.

Have you ever been so in love that you don't care if you live or die.

Just like Suteo's parents.

I doubt you have.

Because ever since we were in high school -

Oh, remember that time I was sketching by the river?

You didn't come join me because there were male students.

That's how you spent your youth.

I don't mean to be sarcastic, since I'm here to borrow money from you.

Just hear me out as I explain how I feel.

I don't think I'm any less happy than you

because I've lived my life to the fullest.

Can I borrow 5,000 yen?

A painter is very poor.

I hope my paintings will sell someday.

Is 5,000 enough?

Of course more is better.

Don't act so generous.

I know you don't have money you can freely spend.

5,000 is enough. I'll go ask other people, too.

My fellow painters are all poor. It makes no difference whose money it is.

The poorer ones seem to have a bigger attitude.

I'm used to it now.

- I'll go get it. - Not until I leave.

I'll be embarrassed otherwise.

Your family will know I'm here for the money.

You're funny.

I know. I'm always like this.

I've never been happy-go-lucky like you.

It's too late. You're 25 and you've never been in love.

Why don't you play the piano for me?

I love listening to you play the piano in this huge old-fashioned house.

It's romantic.

And the pianist is a beautiful woman from a good family.

Suteo has grown up.

Yes, thank you.

The next hurdle is finding a wife for him.

I think it'll be quite a hurdle.

He's carries the disgrace of his parents.

No, I didn't mean it that way.

I can't change the past.

It's unfortunate for him.

Play for me.

What's wrong?

I wonder if I've really lived at all.

You said you hadn't been happy up until now.

You must be performing your dance as I write this

I'm sure you're the most beautiful dancer.

When everyone's eyes are on your graceful movements,

I know one person is happier than anyone else in the audience.

He must be fixated on you with joy.

I wish you the best for your marriage.

What's the matter?

Suteo. Suteo.

Suteo, promise me you'll be happy.

I'll help you as long as I can.

I loved you, Suteo.

I know you loved me, too.

That's why I didn't waste my life.

I hope you feel the same way.

I'm getting married, but about tonight...

Let's keep it a secret as our happiest memory together.

Just for tonight. Just between us.

I'll never forget it.

Until the day I get married,

you have to act normal just as we've always been.

I'll head back before you.

Make sure you come home right after me.

Good night.

- Haruko. - Yes.

Sakura wants you to see her.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for taking this.

- Take a look at her. - Yes.

You make such a beautiful bride.

I'll be leaving soon. Please be well.

Thank you for all your help over all these years.

No, we're the ones to thank you.

If you need any help, please come see me.

Yes, thank you.

I wonder if Suteo would like to see me.

Probably later, when you leave.

Then can you give this to Suteo?

As a token of our friendship.

Yes, I will.

What are you doing here on such a festive day?

Look, this is from Sakura.

She said this is for your friendship.

There you go.

We're busy, so you should help.

The bride is ready.

Come take a look at the beautiful bride.

The bride is coming.

When I was young, I jumped into that river with your father.

I understand more than anybody.

Suteo,

it must have been hard for you.

You must have hated me.

But ever since I tried to die with your father,

I've never felt like I was alive.

I've felt empty inside.

But that was the only way for me to survive in that evil household.

Suteo.

Suteo!

Suteo!

You fool! How could you?

Were you trying to die and leave me alone here?

If you did such a foolish act,

Sakura's marriage would be ruined with horrible rumours.

I know how sad you must feel.

That kind girl Sakura is leaving us.

But you're only 19 years old.

You have your whole life ahead of you.

I know I made a promise to you.

When Sakura leaves the house, we can go wherever you want to go.

I know I'm at fault.

I've lived my life as an empty soul.

I will be reborn with you.

Let's go to Tokyo or wherever you want to go.

Let's work hard together so we can live again.

Do you know about these flower petals on the wind?

On a sunny day, the blowing wind carries the flower petals through the air.

They call it a snow flurry.

Doesn't this feel like a good beginning?

Let's get going.