Original subtitles

Sway.

Oh, right, you're right.

What to do... That pushes it to mid-month.

Please wait a moment.

Hello. Hayakawa speaking.

Let's push the lab and get this thing over with.

I'll be back tomorrow.

I can't stand the place for long.

Yeah, I'm the black sheep of the family.

Tomorrow then. Yeah, thanks.

I'm sorry. I thought you'd take a week or so off.

Book an Okinawa flight for early next week.

Is it really OK?

Hey, it's my first vacation in 2 years.

Is that ready, Yokoyama?

I'm off.

Hayakawa-San, your suit.

Right.

Don't you need a mourning suit?

Whatever.

And the tie, that color...

Want to come along?

Off you go.

ODAGIRI Joe

KAGAWA Teruyuki

IBU Masatoh

ARAI Hirofumi

MAKI Yoko

KIMURA Yuichi

KANIE Keizo

Written and Directed by: NISHIKAWA Miwa

Hayakawa Fuel

Thank you.

Which way?

There.

To Buddha, the world must appear with utter clarity.

But we humans, no matter how old or affluent we grow,

keep weeping over things we claim

we've seen but haven't, or things in plain sight we've overlooked.

To Buddha we must all seem like pitiful blind babies,

stumbling through the darkness.

No, no!

Hello.

Now, speaking of tears,

at my age,

I'm not about to cry my heart out sweetly, like that child over there.

We stifle our feelings of sorrow,

and intimidate others by hiding our weakness from them,

or we bare our fangs at them,

only making ourselves more vile.

So, when we call out to Buddha,

he guides us, in full awareness

of our confusion and suffering.

Amazing, Takeru, I hear you've built a corporation.

More like I incorporated.

No, I can't drink.

Can't drink? Not a drop?

Then what do you do with all your money?

OK, so there's all kinds of photos.

You can shoot steam locomotives, or the Rocky Mountains.

What kinds of pictures do you take?

Well, all kinds, really. Mostly people.

Oh, I knew it.

Naked ladies.

Nudes! Right!

No, hardly ever.

Oh no, you don't! Next time, you call me!

I always gave you a big allowance, right?

All right, the next time, I'll call you.

Really! Hey!

Say, brother! Takeru's a fine boy.

He makes a mint, too.

It's not easy to make it on your own in that world! Impressive!

No, he's in a risky business. Don't butter him up that way.

But it's the best time to flatter him. Right, Takeru...

But if your clients dump you,

you're done for tomorrow.

Unlike food and fuel,

folks can get along fine without photographs.

Take my wife's memorial portrait.

They blew her face up from a group shot at a rice cake party

and stuck it on a body below it. A shabby piece of work.

Her son carries a camera everywhere,

but his mother never had a decent picture of herself. Poor thing.

Whatever it is that keeps him busy,

I can't believe any picture's more important

than his parent's funeral!

There, there, brother.

After all, they call it art.

We can't possibly...

You were perfectly capable of taking her picture.

Plenty of good cameras around.

Takeru.

You've got nerve calling her "Poor thing."

You locked her up in this soot-stained house

and made her slave over gas fumes for decades.

Besides, when did my work ever inconvenience you?

For all your whining, you're just pissed

you have to pay someone else because I won't work for you.

Now, now, calm down, Father!

Father, calm down.

Takeru, that's enough, OK?

It's not right, in front of Buddha. Is it, Priest?

You'll sadden your mother.

That's right, see?

Here, with everybody gathered together.

You drank too much.

You let him overdo it, Aunt!

It's mostly cleaned up. I can head over.

Oh, there you are.

No, better stay out of it.

Just say your boss will be right there.

Chie, do you mind serving him tea?

Yes, please.

Oh, well, so much for my pleasant buzz.

Sorry, a difficult customer.

Oh, that's fine.

Hey, that was Chie on the phone.

Remember? Kawabata Chieko.

From across the river.

She works for us now.

Oh...

Did you know?

No, I stopped by to fuel up on my way here.

Did you see her?

Not that I noticed.

That older-looking woman?

Don't be ridiculous! She's younger than you.

She is?

The company she worked for went under.

Dad brought her on board.

She's a hard worker.

That's his way of making sure you find a wife.

What's that supposed to mean?

That's for you. It was Mom's.

What is this? This projector was hers?

Yeah, don't you remember?

I set it aside. Figured you'd want it.

Hey, it's a Fujica-scope.

SH9... Wow, this is cool!

That side of you definitely came from Mom.

Here are the movies.

Wow!

"Takeru graduates kindergarten."

"Takeru's first birthday."

Don't remember that...

"Hasumi Gorge."

We used to go a lot.

Say, let's go tomorrow.

Huh?

Chie's off tomorrow. Let's all go together.

I'm the chauffeur?

No, you two go. I'll go home tonight.

Don't be like that. Here you finally made it home.

Let's catch some trout again.

Trout?

We all ate the fish that Dad caught and grilled.

Dad?

Don't know. Wasn't there.

No, you ate it too.

I did not.

Dad never took me anywhere. I wasn't born yet.

You've just forgotten everything.

Your brain's fogged up by Tokyo smog.

I'm not foggy.

Let's go. It'll clean your soul, and you'll get good pictures.

None of your business.

Excuse me. I forgot to return your ashtray.

For real?

I had no idea.

Are you his younger brother?

Me? Yeah, yeah.

Part-timer?

Yes, but I've been here 4 years now.

Four years? Why don't you get a real job somewhere?

It must be tough working here.

Well, but Minoru-san's here.

It's kind of fun.

Excuse me then. I'm done for today.

See ya.

Sorry, Takeru, you go on home. I'm not done.

Oh, yeah.

Call me if something comes up.

Is Chie done?

Yeah.

Shall I give her a lift?

She moved out on her own.

She lives in town, now.

Then I'll go that way.

I'm hungry. I'm sure to find something in town.

Oh, right, off you go.

I don't need that.

I happen to be a well-paid man.

I never dreamed you'd be working at our station.

I'm sorry I didn't recognize you either.

I mean, you've gotten so hip.

What! Did I use to be so tacky?

Ah, you don't deny it.

When did you move to town?

After my mother remarried. Last summer.

Huh...

She moved away?

No, she married someone else from the factory.

Huh...

You don't live with them?

No, I guess you wouldn't.

He has a teenage daughter.

Oh, it's his second time too.

But hey, that's great for your mom.

Do they get along?

Well, yes, she seems happy.

Do you feel like he took your mom away?

It was just the two of us for so long. I feel like it's a load off me.

Wish she'd done it a lot sooner!

What was that customer complaining about before?

Claimed we scratched his car when we washed it.

That's gotta be a bullshit claim. Will the station pay for it?

Minoru-San came and managed to calm him down.

Huh.

That teary-eyed act of his worked... Like...

But you and my brother are like, super tight.

Who, me?

After all this time, it made me jealous.

Has my brother ever been to your place?

Of course not!

Will you let me in, then?

Hey, green light.

Welcome! All right...

Welcome!

Thank you!

Give me your tongue.

How am I supposed to dry off? Or do you like me wet?

I put your towel out there!

By Hayakawa Takeru

You can come tomorrow, right?

To Hasumi Gorge.

Minoru-san's way into it.

Well... no...

Let's go. That way, he'll never suspect.

It's just mushrooms you hate, right?

Yeah... in the old days.

Dad?

He went to bed. Early day tomorrow.

Look at the time.

Too late to drive back to Tokyo.

Harder than I thought to find a good place.

Yeah, mostly just the usual chain restaurants.

Exactly, exactly. As it turns out...

Chie can be... a real handful, right?

When she starts drinking.

No, well, maybe...

She can hold her booze, despite her looks. I ran out of topics.

Don't really hang out much.

Will you skip the bath?

No, I'll take one.

All right, go ahead.

You're the last one in.

Just...

I'm glad you invited me today.

I got to say my prayers to Mom.

Even though I was a little late...

Wow! Feels great!

Come on in, Takeru!

Look, fish! Fish!

It's freezing!

He's acting like some kid.

Wow, it's beautiful here.

You can see right through the light.

This place...

It didn't work out right for me, Takeru.

Back then,

I was so scared of everything.

I was so obsessed with not failing

that my life turned out to be nothing.

You're too young to say "My life..."

Tokyo must be great.

I can't believe I didn't take off with you then.

Tokyo, huh...

It's not what you think.

It's just exhausting.

It's not the place for provincial types.

It flipped!

Hey, did you see?

Yeah, I saw it.

But things won't be the same for me anymore...

Hey, hey!

It flipped again! Flipped!

I'm scared.

I think he's already sensed it.

Sensed what?

Home sure is good for a change of pace.

Here I got to see you, Chieko.

It brought back memories, right?

Takeru...

I've gotta go take a dump.

They used to bring me and Takeru here a lot.

But I could never stand high places or all that swaying...

So I always stayed behind.

Maybe I'll try crossing it.

Oh, don't. It's dangerous. It's old, too.

I'm completely fine.

Minoru-San, you wait here.

Takeru!

Chie, take it slow.

Chie, don't look down.

Hold on with both hands. You've got to hold the railing.

Like this.

Cut it out. Don't touch me!

Hey!

What are you doing?

What do you see?

What?

I... Chie...

Did she fall!

From here! This came loose and she fell!

All right. Let's call the police, now!

Get it together.

You get it? Call the police.

But Takeru, I...

No "buts"!

Call the police now and tell them she fell in from here.

Understand?

It's all right.

She might still be OK.

Let's go... C'mon.

It'll be all right... all right.

Brother, you're shivering.

It's all right.

It's all right.

It's all right.

When I crossed it,

it was already pretty unstable.

Especially right there in the middle.

I had a feeling it was pretty dangerous.

I see.

So you didn't notice, after you crossed, when your older brother

and Kawabata-San...

Kawabata Chieko, came across the bridge?

No, I didn't notice.

I was pretty deep in the woods.

I didn't notice at all.

Weren't you all together?

Did you let the Tokyo folks know?

Yeah.

Your work OK?

Yeah, it's fine.

I see.

I'm fine.

Why?

What were you doing?

Dad.

Why didn't you try to stop her?

You did, right, Brother?

You...

When Chie slipped... what did you do!

Cut it out. That's enough!

Enough? You fool!

There's an autopsy set for tomorrow morning,

so the funeral can be scheduled the day after that.

An autopsy?

Yes.

I'll also explain this to the bereaved family,

but in such cases, an autopsy is legally required for several reasons.

You may find it uncomfortable, but she'll be fully restored.

I see.

Hey, Brother, Brother!

C'mon, you have to greet them. It's all right.

Ma'am, Ma'am,

Ma'am, Ma'am...

How old was Chie?

She was 29.

What?

Yeah, um...

I fell asleep.

I didn't even set the alarm.

I'm... going home tomorrow.

Oh, yeah, right.

I'm sorry about everything.

I apologize.

No...

It'll be all right.

I'll be all right.

Where's the section chief?

Downstairs watching the martial arts championships.

Get me the autopsy and the crime scene report.

Hey, dammit.

Hold on to the damned ball, fool!

The autopsy...

Arrest Warrant - Homicide

Have him sign it after the round's over.

Hey, this is huge!

Just when they really needed it.

Absolutely.

A two-run play, shifting the lead.

Attorney at Law - Hayakawa Osamu

Co-worker Arrested in Hasumi Gorge Murder

You didn't see it?

No, I didn't.

You didn't hear any voices or anything?

No, I didn't.

Then why do you think he didn't do anything?

Excuse me.

You never know. Maybe he pushed her off, like it says here.

Wait a minute. This is my brother here. You know him.

Yeah, I know that.

But he actually confessed.

In Japan, a confession carries real weight.

Dad harassed him to the point where he lost his mind.

He couldn't bear his guilty conscience.

What does he feel guilty for?

The fact that Chie died while he stood there.

The cops egged him on and he finally said, "It's all my fault..."

I understand.

Right?

No, how you might feel that way.

Unbelievable.

Your nephew's about to become a criminal

and you don't give a damn.

That has a nasty ring to it.

I prefer, "You have a rich grasp of human potential."

Takeru, conjecture is meaningless to the law.

Now, the prosecution's bound to dig up all kinds of evidence.

It'd be different if you'd seen it, but we can't fight without evidence.

Uncle.

I'm prepared to take desperate measures.

That's not what I'm talking about.

Is this what we're talking about?

You can't, yet!

Take it slowly, sir.

Hey! Iga, can you hear me!

Iga! Iga!

Iga! Hey!

Hey, say something from over there!

What? What did you say?

Say something!

I can't hear you! What is it?

Look down.

Now, don't look at the camera.

After the charges are read, you'll be advised of your right to remain silent,

after that... Right here, right here.

Let's rehearse.

I ask the defendant,

are there any errors of fact in the prosecutor's charges?

Please, Minoru!

On the bridge, I didn't fight with Kawabata-San

or touch her hands.

She lost her...

She lost her balance and slipped and fell.

Takeru, I'm asking you again.

Are you sure you didn't see anything?

Why?

I have this feeling

you could see the bridge from where you stood.

If I had, I'd have told you.

Didn't you hear strange voices or anything at all?

The river rapids were too loud.

You couldn't hear a thing...

I'm sure I'd notice something like that.

All right, then.

You'll say that on the witness stand, right?

Yeah, I'll say it.

The new guy they've hired was a classmate of Yohei's.

The kid's alarmingly stupid and fat.

Yohei freaked out.

Dad's calming Yohei down, saying "It's only until Minoru gets back."

Say, have you seen Uncle?

Yeah.

He says it's perfect. Once the trail starts, it's our game.

You can tell the truth, all right?

I'm sure Uncle's filled you in...

Huh?

Even with his bifocals, he's like...

Uncle sure has aged.

How he'll manage a trial when he can't even read.

No way.

No, no, he's at the top of his game.

You know, I've never liked him.

Takeru.

What'll happen if they find me guilty.

Idiot, they won't. How can you say that?

Don't get all worked up.

I just wondered what would become of you.

Don't be so negative.

Negative? Not at all.

Listen, Takeru,

I'm glad I confessed.

What's that supposed to mean?

Do you have any idea how it would be

to live in that small town, branded as the man who killed his childhood friend?

What are you talking about?

They all know who you are.

It'll go right back to normal.

They'll welcome you back warmly.

It's strange to hear you call

that town "warm."

What's the difference, spending my life at the gas station or behind these bars?

At least here, I don't have to bow to stupid customers.

That punk. I got it out of my system.

I should've bashed his head in while I was at it.

Don't talk like that.

Why not? It's just the sort of thing you're always saying.

It's a meaningless life anyway.

That's not true.

What are you saying?

You're impressive.

I could never do it.

My life is always about running away.

From a meaningless life, right?

Your life is wonderful.

You do work only you can do,

meet lots of people, make lots of money.

Look at me.

My work's boring, girls never give me a second look,

at home, I cook, do the laundry and get to enjoy Dad's lectures.

Now, on top of that, I'm a murderer. How bad is that?

Cut it out. That's not true.

Yes, it is.

What's not true?

Why did it have to turn out this way?

I really don't get it.

There's not a single good thing.

Why? Why are you and I so different?

You're not wrong.

I know that, you asshole!

I'm the only one! I'm the only one! This!

The interview is over. Please leave.

So, let's get you out of here. I'll get you out.

The facts of the indictment.

"On October 2, 2005, at approximately 2 P.M.,

"on the suspension bridge over the Hasumi River in Hikawa,

"the defendant placed his hand on the shoulder of Kawabata Chieko, then 28, in order to steady her.

"When she rebuffed him bluntly, the angry defendant

"did with murderous intent grab her and push her,

"forcing her to fall between the bridge slats and the ripped bridge cable,

"hurling her into the Hasumi River below.

"Therefore, in said place, the defendant did murder the deceased by drowning."

The charge is Murder under Penal Code 199.

We ask the court to deliberate these charges.

I ask the defendant,

are there any errors of fact in the prosecutor's charges?

On the bridge...

Kawabata-San started to run

and the bridge swayed hard.

I thought she was in danger...

I wish I hadn't placed my hand on her.

She raised...

her voice alarmingly and shoved my hand aside...

I never expected her to treat me that way.

Instinctively... it sounds terrible,

but out of resentment, I pushed her.

So you don't contest the prosecutor's account of events?

That's when Kawabata-San staggered

and landed on her backside on the bridge.

I regained my senses...

and reached out,

to help her to her feet...

In other words,

you claim that you did not push the victim off the bridge?

I did not... push her off.

But at first,

I was afraid that people would believe

I was guilty if I even said anything

about shoving her.

So I lied

and said that she slipped.

Still...

If I...

If I hadn't been there...

She'd be alive today.

When her death was declared an accident

and nobody accused me of anything,

it was really unbearable.

Afterwards, when I went to the police

about another matter and I told the officer,

"It was my fault," I finally felt alive again.

But um...

Thinking it over later, calmly,

I realized very clearly

that what actually happened and what I told him happened

are two completely different things.

Takeru.

Please return this to your father.

He probably can't re-use a dead person's uniform,

but I can't keep it around the house.

Do you mind?

Thank you for taking the trouble.

Well, then.

See you.

Um, Ma'am.

Are you all right?

The child has high school exams.

The factory's cut employees, so we're crazy busy.

I don't have a moment to spare.

Takeru.

What did Chieko do to deserve being murdered?

Can you tell me?

What your brother's thinking?

Oh well, that's how it is with brothers, right?

See you in Tokyo.

Registered Mail - Cash Sender - Hayakawa Isamu

When she fell on her backside like this,

what did you say to her?

I think I just said, "I'm sorry."

Only once?

No, I apologized several times.

And then you reached out your hand.

Was that for another shove?

No, I wanted to help her up.

I even said, "Hold on."

In other words, you clearly conveyed,

with a change of attitude,

that you would not repeat your rough action.

I thought I did.

But Chieko backed away from you.

Yes.

Using that diagram, show us how far away she moved.

To this spot, "B."

What happened when she reached point "B"?

She suddenly seemed to flip.

What do you mean "Suddenly"?

How soon after she reached "B"?

Immediately, like a reflex.

Like that.

It was like she suddenly fell to her back...

Well, do excuse me. My, what a shock.

I'm sure you were shocked, too.

And what did you do?

I leaned forward and tried to grab her arm.

For what purpose?

What...?

For what purpose did you attempt to grab her arm?

I thought I could save her.

If only I'd grasped her arm...

You did everything in your power

to prevent her descent?

Yes, I think I did.

That's all.

The prosecution may proceed.

You said you reached out your hand to help her.

Yes.

You didn't imagine the opposite effect?

I mean,

here's a man who has just shoved her violently, suddenly cooing at her, reaching out to her.

Don't tell me you claim that you thought

she'd turn around and say, "Oh, my, you're so kind."

When she fell on her backside, she screamed in pain, right?

Yes.

She landed on an exposed flooring screw.

Even through her clothes, it caused a serious internal hemorrhage.

I bet that hurt even after she died.

An archer could mistake it for a target and shoot it.

Don't you think anyone would dread the person who caused that?

I think... you're right.

You say you apologized, with a mere "Sorry."

"I've reformed, I won't do it again," are convenient excuses for the perpetrator.

But it's hardly sufficient

for the wounded party to overcome her terror.

And you couldn't even imagine that.

That must mean you're unbelievably dumb about other peoples' feelings.

Is that your opinion?

Excuse me, I've let my emotions carry me. I withdraw.

Tell me.

You knew all along she'd back away in terror and fall

into the river.

That's hardly a retraction.

Objection! Your Honor!

Prosecutor, your opinion?

I consider the objection unfounded.

Objection sustained. Please rephrase the question.

Suppose...

that Chieko-San had fallen on the bridge on her own,

would she have cowered at your outstretched hand?

But in fact,

she fell on the bridge because you shoved her.

After that, your extended hand

might seem to threaten a mortal blow, right?

Tell me.

Didn't you corner her, with just that in mind?

Eat your noodles.

You eat them. I ordered too much.

No, you should eat them. You'll lose your strength.

I'm not going back.

What?

I can't stand to see Minoru's face.

Making a laughingstock out of him.

He didn't mean any harm.

Maybe it's best that you don't.

That's what it means to stand trial.

Both my opponent and I

have to strip the defendant naked in order to win.

Do you have to call him "Defendant" in his own home?

What'll happen to Minoru?

I still can't tell. Bear with it.

You don't have any conviction? Aren't you a professional?

I can have convictions, but his own testimony could overturn them.

I wish my convictions could produce evidence.

What the hell is your job, then?

Can't you for once help us?

You know full well the burden I've borne for your self-indulgence.

And you've reaped your share of benefits from it, too.

If you think I'm the only beneficiary,

that's a failure of your own self-victimized imagination.

Uncle.

I've had it.

I'd better go home, Takeru.

But it's...

I'll find a way. I'd better go.

Fine, go home!

See?

Why? You should stay here.

I'll be fine. Sorry. I should never have come here.

Stop! You should stay over!

What's wrong with you, Dad!

Save your family fights for when we can afford them.

Up early.

Yeah, where's Uncle?

Headed out.

After gobbling 3 bowls of rice for breakfast.

Asked you to call him.

Chieko's mother gave it back.

She didn't say a word. It was just in the package.

Let's offer prayers at her family altar. I'll go with you.

Take an offering of something Chieko liked.

Maybe like a bottle of sake. I'm not really sure...

Offer her sake, and she'll come back to haunt you.

What?

Chieko couldn't even drink a little glass of beer.

Just like you.

I couldn't believe it.

I wished it was just a dream.

My whole family was in shock.

But on that bridge,

when you steadied her because she was in danger,

why did Chieko reject you?

What did she say to you, exactly?

Tell me if you remember.

"No, don't touch me."

What? One more time.

"Don't touch me."

Did you steady her breast or her backside?

No, her shoulder.

You steadied her shoulder, and she took that tone?

Won't you tell me honestly?

When she took that tone, asking you not to touch her, how did you feel?

How can I say...

I guess she just

found me physically repulsive...

I thought she must really hate me.

I felt wretched.

Had anything like that ever happened before?

No, never.

What made Chieko-San react that way?

That...

I don't know.

That's all.

You may proceed, Prosecutor.

Physical repulsion in women can be really tricky.

I often stumble over that one myself.

By the way, you're single?

Yes.

You're 35. Do you have any plans for marriage?

No.

Had you ever considered Chieko-San in that way?

She was also single, approaching her 29th birthday, right?

Not to put too fine a point on it,

but in these parts, she was of an age to get hitched, right?

Day in, day out, you worked side by side with her.

You were almost family.

She was an upstanding person, did you consider her for a wife?

Isn't that how everyone else saw it?

That would really have been up to Kawabata-San...

I'm asking what you thought.

Did you have feelings for her?

Spit it out.

Well...

Yes.

Romantic feelings?

Yes.

Did you confess your love?

Why not?

I'm not very popular with women.

I thought if she rejected me, it would be awkward at work.

But you could have kept at it.

You two got along, right?

Yes, but...

But you just weren't confident.

Getting along and being in love aren't the same thing.

Hey, if there was someone guaranteed to instantly fall in love with me,

I'd be on that train.

Have some confidence!

So, now, turning to Exhibit #17, the victim's autopsy report.

Unrelated to cause of death, victim's vagina contained traces of semen,

estimated to date from one day prior to the accident.

Further DNA analysis of this semen

determined that the semen was not the defendant's.

In other words, one day prior to the accident, the victim

probably had sexual relations with a man other than the defendant.

Defendant, I'd like to know, were you aware of her partner?

Wasn't the real reason you couldn't reveal your feelings

that you knew she was already involved with another man?

What's the deal?

Didn't you know and feel jealous?

Weren't you seething with resentment?

Furthermore, didn't your attitude

put her under pressure about the romantic partner of her choice?

What's up?

Talk to me.

Hurts...

How dare you!

I'm sick of you! I'm going to Tokyo with him!

Takeru said I should make a new life for myself.

He's lying.

He's lying!

He's tricking you! I swear he's tricking you!

Cut it out! I don't want to live my life like my mother and you!

I'm sorry.

Oh, I didn't know.

What did you say?

I had no idea...

she had someone.

If she had a lover,

then I've done irreparable harm...

to that person, as well...

No, no, that's not what I mean. How could you miss that?

You were together every day...

I'm so terribly sorry.

What's this about? It's not over yet!

Let's enjoy ourselves. This is a gift from me.

Please do your best, sir.

This is terrific.

Of course I'll do my best.

It's the family gas station, after all.

Besides, we can't let you take it over!

Brother,

realistically, how much longer will it take?

Ultimately, they have no conclusive evidence, either.

Without that, they'll have to fold.

So, at the next session...

Takeru, you'll get up on that witness stand

and you'll say, "My brother is a blah-blah-blah, a man of character,

"who provided Chieko-San

"with concern and tenderness, etc., etc., etc."

That's all you'll have to do and...

"Victory"?

No, no, we're just looking for, "Innocent."

Now, now, young folks, no need to be in such a hurry.

How's the part-timer getting along?

Wonder if Dad'll fire him when I get back.

That's not fair, is it?

If I win, I think I'll blow my savings on redecorating the station.

Paint it in bright colors.

Get rid of that gloomy atmosphere.

Make it self-service at night and fuller service during the day.

And turn the inside into sort of a caf�.

Play some bossa novas...

You know lots of designers, don't you?

Can you ask one of them to handle it?

Do it right.

Say...

I know, we'll show your photos. In huge frames. It'll be really cool.

I said, say...

Yeah.

I want you to tell me.

Yeah, what?

Why'd you cross the bridge?

Hey,

weren't you there when I testified in court?

We're not in court here.

Like I said, after you crossed,

Chie insisted on crossing too,

and I told her it was dangerous alone.

We're talking me.

Chieko was really nagging you, right?

"I hate that depressing gas station. Run away with me, Takeru!"

Or something pushy like that.

Gotta be kidding, right? Couldn't let a girl like that tie you down.

So I invited her.

Actually, I'm not scared of that hanging bridge.

It freaked Chieko out, but I told her it wasn't as scary as it looked.

Told her you might be waiting for her.

Then she said she'd go. A good one, right?

Cut it out! Don't blame me.

Just kidding.

Kidding, kidding, kidding...

Of course that's a lie.

I'm not going to volunteer to go up there...

Cut the crap!

Tell me the truth, the truth!

I've been telling you!

The truth... Let it go.

Let what go?

I mean, do you believe in the truth of my innocence?

No, right?

What the hell? What are you saying?

You just don't want to be the brother of a killer.

Why the...

I can't believe it!

You can believe whatever you want.

Just hold on.

Why... should I doubt my older brother?

Don't ask me.

Cut the crap, I've had it!

Excuse me, I'm...

Hey, wait! Why won't you agree with me?

Why don't you say, "I know you'd never doubt me"!

You always doubt everyone,

never trusted anyone, no matter what.

That's the Takeru I know.

God dammit!

Let's go.

"I swear

"to tell the truth according to my conscience,

"concealing nothing,

"and to speak no falsehoods. This I do swear."

Witness,

Hayakawa Takeru.

How are you related to the defendant?

We're brothers.

I'm the younger.

On the day of the accident,

did you notice anything unusual about your brother?

What was he usually like?

My brother

was very dedicated and kind.

He was a very honest person.

I am... someone with nothing to be proud of.

But my brother was different.

He was the one person I could trust,

the one person I was connected to.

But that all changed.

He'd never been capable of such devious lies.

When are you talking about?

What lies are you referring to?

My brother's testimony in court.

In court?

What, specifically are you referring to?

What proof do you have to determine that he lied?

Until now, I've acted like I knew nothing.

Because I wanted to protect my brother.

And in doing so, I protected myself, too.

But I'm sick of it.

If by telling my story,

I tear both of us apart

and we both end up leading pathetic lives,

I'll stake my life

to tell the real truth.

Because I want

my real brother back.

Please answer my question.

If you don't intend to answer, fine. That's all.

What do you mean by "His devious lies"?

It's not important. He's confused.

Counsel, please withdraw.

What is this "Truth" you refer to?

I...

I watched my brother

close in on Chieko-San on that hanging bridge.

They struggled on the swaying bridge.

Then she...

My brother pushed her off the bridge.

I saw her scream as she fell.

I saw everything.

How the hell dare you spout such bullshit!

You told me over and over you didn't know!

Calm down, Counsel.

Where?

Explain where you saw all this!

Counsel!

Witness.

Are you certain your memory is accurate?

It's as I swore earlier.

Yes, I understand.

Thank you for calling.

Seven years later

No, no, I swear it's true.

I don't like to brag about my work, but these are really terrific.

Sometimes, I run across pictures I'd completely forgotten I'd taken,

that I might have taken as a student, but sometimes they're pretty good.

Oh no... I'm so disorganized. Excuse me a moment.

Been a while.

Oh.

Do you remember me?

Won't you say "Good evening" to him?

You have to say, "Good evening."

We drove down to celebrate my mother-in-law's 60th birthday nearby.

The traffic was awful. The kid was crying, couldn't eat...

Rie, will you ask him if he wants seconds...

Do you want seconds?

Yes, please.

Rie, you're so sweet. Have my broccoli.

Oh, how nice.

No, no!

It's on your plate now.

That's 3,382 Yen.

He's done, Minoru-San.

It's tomorrow. We received a notice.

Takeru-San...

Please, look after him.

The truth is, recently...

your dad's been a little... Maybe it's his age...

Losing his marbles?

It may not be about that...

No one's visited Minoru-San these past 6 months.

If I were family, I'd go, but...

I don't even know if he's planning to come back.

Yohei, there's no way I can...

I don't think he'll go back.

He can't go back.

But either way, there's nothing I can do about it.

But he's your brother, Takeru-San.

He's not my brother anymore.

I'm sure he feels the same.

It just feels better that way, right?

I don't understand.

Takeru-San,

back then, you said you were doing it to get your brother back.

That's why you had him locked up, right?

I can't understand it.

If it were my brother, I never could.

I can't believe what you did was right.

You came to tell me that?

Please bring him back to me and his father.

Look.

We're going.

You've stolen everything, forever?

What exactly did you gain?

Memories of Hasumi Gorge, 1980.

It is clear to everyone.

I stole to the end, and my brother was lost.

But even as time flows, always fleeting and fickle,

one thing is true. It was I who had slipped from the slender floorboard

of that perilous, yet well-anchored hanging bridge between us.

Now, I can see it all so clearly.

Can crumbling wood be restored,

can corroded handrails prevail?

I wonder

if that bridge survived.

Yohei, my car won't go any further.

Let's take the truck.

Do you know where he went?

I really don't.

Guess he headed home. We just missed him.

Want to call home?

Your dad should be there.

No, let's leave it be.

Let's go.

Hey, Yohei, can you stop?

Brother!

Brother!

Brother!

Brother!

Let's go home!

Staring idly at the passing cars,

It seems the sun is going to set

Gently swaying, the red sun sinks

Don't worry, the dark of night

will hold you tenderly

Step by step, let's go home

Step by step, go home slow

Executive Producers: KAWASHIRO Kazumi SHIGENOBU Yutaka YAKIGAYA Shoji

Development Producers: YASUDA Masahiro KORE-EDA Hirokazu

Producer: KUMAGAI Kiichi

Cinematographer: TAKASE Hiroshi

Lighting: ONO Akira

Sound: SHIRATORI Mitsugu

Production Design: MITSUMATSU Keiko

Music: Cauliflowers

Editing: MIYAJIMA Ryuji

Written and Directed by: NISHIKAWA Miwa

English subtitles: Linda Hoaglund

� 2006 SWAY Production Committee