Original subtitles

It’s nearly 7 pm now.

His girlfriend should be hopping in the bath soon.

He said he’d use that chance to slip out of the house.

That’s not him.

He wouldn’t be strolling around so casually.

Ten minutes left.

Is that car behind us one of ours?

Maybe. Should I tell him to kill his lights?

They’re blinding me.

Tell him to turn them off, otherwise we won’t be able to see the client.

He’s running!

Get him in!

It won’t open!

Mr Oda?

I’m starting the car.

Are you Mr Oda? – I am.

I’m Saita. – Are you alright?

Are these all your things? – Yes.

We can’t go back again. – I know.

You’re safe now.

I’m a bit shaken.

You startled us. Are you okay?

It’s fine. Nobody’s tailing us.

Mr Oda?

I’m Saita.

Nice to meet you.

Is your girlfriend home alone now? – Yes.

Describe her to my colleague.

Another staff member is still keeping watch on the house.

Did she suspect you were planning to run?

All the time.

So she was expecting it.

How long did she keep you locked up?

At first, things were pretty normal.

She was just a bit jealous.

Then everything changed.

When her best mate took her own life,

she regretted not being able to save her.

After that, she became unstable.

I’m glad you made it.

Some people disappear because they’re forced to.

Others choose to vanish.

It depends on the case.

Excuse me.

I’m looking for a missing person.

The last sighting was around here.

I was wondering if you’d seen him.

I also left this flyer at the police station.

If you have any information...

The police here already know about the case.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Welcome to our internet café, how can I help you?

I’m actually looking for a missing person.

You don’t need to hang this flyer in your shop,

but if your staff could take a look, that’d be great.

That’s why I’m here. Sorry, but our shop doesn’t have

a front desk, so I can’t meet you directly.

I see.

Sorry, I can’t help you.

Oh, everything’s automated here, right? – Yes, it’s all self-service.

My apologies. – No worries.

Have a good one.

I’m working on the case of a 26-year-old man who’s gone missing.

He vanished from his company’s dormitory.

When people make mistakes in their family, school, or work,

Japanese people often think,

it’s better to die than live with shame.

But some just want to reset their lives

somewhere no one knows them.

On June 18th, around midday,

from the company dormitory in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture,

a 26-year-old man went missing.

That day,

at 3:15 pm,

just before I left for work,

the phone rang.

It was my son’s colleague from Nagoya.

He said, 'Kazuki has disappeared.

He suddenly vanished from the company dormitory.

Do you know anything about him?'

I was stunned.

I hadn’t heard a thing.

I thought he’d be back soon.

I went to his bank,

his mobile provider,

everywhere.

But everything’s locked down by the data protection act,

so there’s nothing I can do.

I get that it’s the law.

And of course, it’s needed for criminals and stalkers,

but parents searching for their own kids

get treated the same way.

What’s that about?

I want to find him. Maybe it’s not too late.

Maybe today’s my last chance.

But I can’t.

I can’t follow any leads.

I can’t check anything.

‘Due to the data protection act…’

'I can't tell you anything without his permission,' that's what they say.

It’s the same with the cops.

'You'll have to contact him directly,' they say.

The problem is, I can’t reach him.

My family was poor.

So I ended up working in a mafia office,

as a telephone operator.

I borrowed money from them,

and couldn’t pay it back.

They started threatening me and my family,

so I panicked and bolted from the office.

I jumped on the last ferry.

I thought, 'I can never go back home again.'

I just ran for it.

The other day we couldn’t collect much because it was a holiday.

Today’s a holiday too.

I know.

Takahashi and I only managed 13 kilos each.

Really? – Yeah, Shin too.

About 13 kilos each.

That’s not enough.

Altogether, around 39 kilos.

Takahashi even bought beer and snacks on the way, so he actually lost money.

Right now, all I’ve got is my life.

I’ve got no plans.

I just move around looking for food and a place to crash.

I live day by day.

I blow all my wages on gambling.

When I see money,

it’s like a drug.

I thought I could quit gambling anytime,

but I can’t.

I don’t know what to do.

I never thought this would happen to me.

All my clients say the same thing.

I used to live a normal life.

Four years ago, I had a similar case.

That client was also stalked by her neighbours.

So we evacuated her.

I don’t know where my enemies are hiding.

We need to find a new place no one can track down.

Sometimes a crowded place is safer,

sometimes not.

What about my credit card?

Can anyone track me if I use it?

Only your spouse could access your transaction history.

What about my health and life insurance?

Can people usually keep it?

You can use one of my secret addresses to take out a new policy.

I’ll give you an address that’s far away.

If it’s too close, it’s risky.

Let’s set a date for the move.

I run a night moving company called TSC.

We secretly move our clients’ belongings

and make their new location untraceable.

We sort out a new place for them, or even a new job.

Sometimes we go with the client to the police station or arrange a lawyer.

And so on.

We’ve got a range of services.

Around this time, there aren’t many people about.

We might be able to park the truck next to the house.

I’ll check if we can park the truck.

You’ve got to get yourself under control.

Don’t be too hard on yourself.

Even if people tell you not to take your own life,

if you really want to, no one can stop you.

Sorry if that sounds harsh.

I can’t be with you 24/7.

Everyone feels lonely.

Even if your boyfriend tells you not to do it,

if you’re set on it,

no one can stop you.

If it’s just depression, you can get through it.

Sorry for being so blunt.

Pretty much everyone has some mental struggles.

I’ve seen heaps of people with schizophrenia,

more than most people would ever see in their lives.

For Monday the 19th,

I’ve booked a hotel under a fake name with a secret phone number.

Everything’s sorted.

I didn’t know what to do on my own.

So I searched online

and found a company that helps people disappear.

I called and explained my situation.

They told me to escape straight away.

Bali Style OTE

I took over my dad’s company,

which he’d inherited from his father.

It was well known in my hometown.

But I failed to keep it afloat,

and it went bankrupt.

I ruined our family name, Sugimoto.

I blamed myself for bringing shame to my family.

When I was buried

under more than four million dollars of debt,

my mind just went blank.

But I didn’t feel scared.

At first, I thought about suicide.

I had a life insurance policy.

After my death...

The money would’ve gone to my company and family.

So I thought about it, but I wasn’t brave enough.

I even tried to hang myself.

When I looked it up online, it said hanging was the easiest way.

But if you mess it up, it can get really ugly.

That put me off.

I still have memories of my family.

Sitting together and laughing.

Or having dinner with mates.

These memories come back

like flashbacks.

But they’re always painful when I remember my past.

Just before I disappeared,

I wrote letters to my staff and family.

'I’m sorry for being selfish

but I’ve got no other choice.

Please give me some time.

I promise I’ll pay everything back.'

That morning, I put on a suit

and pretended I was going on a business trip.

At the time, my youngest son

wasn’t even in kindy yet.

He asked me,

I told him, 'In three days.'

But inside I was thinking, 'Sorry, I’m lying to you.'

Then I said goodbye.

At first,

I thought my boss was kind.

He seemed like a real man.

I almost worshipped him.

One day he asked if I wanted to work for him.

But the company was exploitative.

It had this dodgy system

where if we didn’t make money, we had to pay him instead.

He controlled everything and knew everything we did.

We had no privacy.

Then he started blackmailing us:

'You’ve offended me, so you have to pay.'

I was completely cut off from the outside world.

My whole world revolved around him.

He said, 'If you don’t pay your debts now,

my mafia mate will erase you.'

That’s when we decided we had to escape.

If we made it, we’d survive. If not, it’d be like cutting our own throats.

On the run, my boyfriend drove while I searched on my phone,

typing things like 'Night Escape'

and 'How to escape from the mafia.'

We called a Night Mover and said,

'We’ve got no home and no job.'

They said, 'We can give you a place

where you can live and work at the same time.'

That’s how we ended up here.

Now we’re living in a love hotel.

We work here and stay in one of the unused rooms.

We’re still hiding,

but at least no one’s controlling us.

I can earn my own money,

so I feel freer.

Back when I worked for my boss,

I didn’t tell my parents about him because they were overprotective.

Otherwise, they would’ve stopped me from seeing him.

—

—

And he told me,

'Your parents aren’t normal.

They meddle too much in your life, so you can’t grow up.

If you want to grow up, cut ties with them.'

I still have nightmares.

When we first got here, I dreamt about him every night.

He chased us and hurt us in my dreams.

Sometimes he even violated us.

He nearly cut our fingers off.

And he shaved our heads.

That’s how he forced us to pay.

We finally escaped that deep underground life.

Now we’re in this 'cave' where at least there’s a bit more sunlight.

Though it’s still pretty dark.

My parents never cared about my opinion.

They were overprotective.

They told me to only listen to them,

and ignored whatever I said.

They restricted my friendships.

They checked my income.

When I was a student,

they wouldn’t let me in the house if I didn’t get good marks.

They were like that…

and now I don’t want to see them anymore.

Thanks for coming.

No matter what I try, I can’t get anywhere.

They always fob me off with the data protection act.

I just want Kazuki to know I’m looking for him.

I wish I could let him know.

He doesn’t need to come back if he doesn’t want to.

I used to constantly check lists of unidentified bodies.

But I had to stop for the sake of my twin daughters.

—

Still, I can’t stop wondering if he took his own life.

It must’ve been tough research to do. – Yeah, it was.

I just want proof that he’s still alive.

You said

You got divorced. – Yeah.

So you don’t have a husband. – No.

That’s right.

We split up when my son was just one.

After that, I kept in touch with my ex heaps of times

to talk about child support.

But he never paid a cent.

That was the last I ever heard from him.

Since Kazuki’s never met his dad,

maybe he wants to know where he comes from.

Could it be

he went looking for his father?

Could be.

It’s done. Alright.

I’m starving.

Can you grab me the sesame? – Peanuts?

Peanuts? – No, sesame. Why peanuts?

Here’s the tuna, help yourself.

When I started working, I realised we were way too sheltered.

I didn’t notice until I went to school.

I thought we were just a normal family.

A normal family?

You were more overprotective than I thought.

I reckon we treated you all the same,

so we were probably just as overprotective of Kazuki.

You shouldn’t have married that bastard.

Sorry.

No, seriously.

Sorry I had such bad taste.

I hadn’t tried in ages, but after talking to Detective Kudo,

I tried calling him.

Kazuki? Yeah.

I knew I wouldn’t get through.

I used to try all the time at the start.

I even sent him messages. – Me too.

I knew he’d never read them.

Sometimes I’d send him birthday wishes.

Same here.

But it just got too sad,

so I stopped.

I was terrified of my mum.

My dad was quiet.

He didn’t say much,

but sometimes he’d blow up.

He was dead serious.

He hated it when I lied.

He always told me never to gamble.

He’d repeat it over and over.

Here in Nishinari, even if you don’t have a job

or clean clothes,

no one judges you.

People just ignore you.

No one cares if your name’s real or fake.

Even if you’ve done time,

you can live here under the radar.

You can survive with nothing here.

In a way, Nishinari hides you.

Now…

I don’t like saying this, but right now, this place is paradise for me.

Can you hear me?

Turned 93 – you can do it!

Soon I’ll be off to heaven. Give it your best!

You can live to 100.

No, I can’t.

Our town, Nishinari.

It’s a workers’ town.

We live day by day,

through all our sad lives.

Our neighbourhood, Nishinari.

The town we call home.

Every day, another lost bird

comes to our town.

Thanks for listening.

Thank you.

Have a good day.

Live a long life.

Please look after those with broken

families, those who slog through hard labour.

Those

who are shunned by society.

Save our mates who died alone.

I’ll read the names of those

who passed away last year.

Fukumitsu Tatsumi.

Imakura Mitsuyo.

Sugita Kazuyuki.

So many people died last year.

That’s right – over a hundred.

A hundred in one year.

So many.

Y ORT

The last time I rang my parents

after leaving home

was about twenty years later, I think.

I thought Mum would be furious, since I’d just disappeared.

But the first thing she said was, ‘Are you alright?’

We talked on the phone for ages.

She told me Dad was close to dying.

She asked me to come back.

I didn’t know what to say.

So I hung up.

A few years back,

I tried calling again,

but the line was dead.

I haven’t been home in 37 years.

I just want to live a normal life.

But I don’t want to go back.

I’m so confused.

Right now,

I stay in business hotels, internet cafés,

or sometimes sleep in my car.

I still haven’t sorted out my debts.

I’m still scared the loan sharks will find me,

so I keep moving around.

When I first came here, I felt completely lost

and missed my family and kids so much.

So I switched my phone back on.

I was sitting in a café with a coffee, checking my phone,

when I suddenly heard someone rushing up the stairs.

They came closer and closer.

When I looked up, I saw a familiar face.

My brother shouted, 'I’ve finally found you!'

He’d used dodgy methods

to track me down through my phone’s GPS.

Five minutes later, my wife showed up.

She was crying and said,

'You’re alive!'

I felt so ashamed and uncomfortable.

After my brother and wife found me,

I got to see my kids again.

I thought my eldest son would be angry at me.

I told him, 'I’m working on declaring bankruptcy.

And I want to pay back my friends.'

My son said, 'Dad, that’s awesome!'

My daughter often calls me

when she’s lonely or just wants to hear my voice.

The words that made me happiest were,

'Papa, one day I want to live with you.'

Even though I still regret what I did,

when I heard those words,

it saved my life.

I can’t get a normal job.

So I asked Saita if she had a job for me.

She offered me work as a Night Mover.

How old are they now?

My eldest son just started high school.

So he’s pretty tall then?

Yeah, he was already taller than me back in junior high.

You’ve got two or three kids? – Three.

The youngest is in second grade.

I’m a bit worried he might go down the wrong path.

Don’t worry about that.

And you missed out on watching your youngest grow up?

Yeah.

And he knows you disappeared? – Yeah.

It’s hard raising kids.

I saw my dad mistreat my mum,

so I never wanted to be like him.

And that made your mum sad? – Yeah, it did.

Did you ever see her cry?

No, never. – Oh, she’s strong.

But when I was studying for the uni entrance exams,

Dad came to my school and said, 'Your mum’s disappeared.'

I was shocked.

My sister was still in high school.

Dad was a bit worried about her.

And your mum never came back? – No, she disappeared.

My parents never let me talk while we were eating.

But family dinners should be the happiest time.

– Yeah, I was really happy then.

I’ll tell you a dream I have:

I want my kids to come here when they start uni,

so we can live together again.

That way, my wife won’t have to worry about them.

I agree. – It’s better than living alone.

It’s a bittersweet separation,

because in the future,

we’ll meet again.

One day, that dream will come true.

Until then, we just say,

'Bye for now.'

Oh, 'bye for now.'

I don’t dare say it out loud,

but we have to say:

'Bye for now.'

I remember your eyes.

They shine in my memories.

You made everyone happy.

I’ll never forget

your smile.

Do you ever get a day off?

A day where you do nothing?

You mean me?

Actually, no.

If I don’t work, I get anxious.

I know what you mean.

How about you?

I don’t have any days where I do nothing.

I started my company when I was 26.

Since then, I’ve only had one day off.

And that was when I got injured and ended up in hospital.

I was out cold for a day and a half after brain surgery.

Other than that, I’m always working.

There’s not a single day I don’t.

What does your husband think about your job?

Nothing.

But he did say if I ever caused trouble for the family,

he’d divorce me.

He reckons if people find out about my business, he’ll lose his job.

So I told him, 'I’ve already signed the divorce papers.

Anytime.'

If something happens, I can survive on my own.

I think this is the street, but please park over there.

This is the house.

I’ve already put the hotel address in the GPS.

But drop her on the opposite side of the road.

Should I text you the address? No need, I’ll remember it.

Excuse me, can I come in?

Sorry, but can I ask for the money first?

The neighbours usually get home between 2 and 5:30 pm.

Please close the curtains when you turn on the lights.

Of course.

I’ve also got enemies in the retirement home over there.

You seem to have a lot of enemies.

That’s why I’ll do everything I can to protect you.

The driver’s name is Sugimoto.

He’s a former client. I understand.

From now on, I’ll be a bit stricter.

Please come back to our world.

Whoever you see, don’t overreact. OK?

Don’t worry. Thank you.

I’m with you.

Don’t worry.

The client had already had trouble with her neighbours.

Then she was teased by their kids.

Since then, her delusions just kept growing.

She sees enemies everywhere.

If the neighbours ask what you’re doing,

just act normal.

Tell them we’re cleaning.

Why didn’t she pack this? This is nuts.

Why is there tape here? It’s everywhere.

You’re doing it wrong. Do it like this.

Maybe it’s fixed? Maybe there’s a trick.

I don’t think so. Really?

If it was fixed, this wouldn’t rotate.

Oh, it’s coming off.

Which way did you turn it? Just normally.

Actually, it doesn’t work.

What?

It won’t come off.

You’re in a good mood.

Hiro’s pretty hard on me. I know.

You’re suffering, right? Yeah. My life’s so bleak.

I’ve known that for ages.

Hiro, why do you always pick on him?

He’s suffering from delusions.

Actually, I was one of her clients.

She took care of me.

So I wanted to help others in trouble too.

I’m working for her now.

People don’t believe men can suffer domestic violence from women.

But I was on the receiving end.

I never hit back.

I just obeyed her.

Then I met another woman, who’s now my wife.

We got along well.

She’d also suffered domestic violence from her husband.

So we started searching online together

and found my boss’s company, TSC.

If you’ve never seen them,

there’s a good chance

that Kazuki is searching for his real father.

But we don’t know where his father is.

So I’m going to his father’s parents’ house on Awaji Island

to try and find a trace of him.

One moment.

Before I forget, I want to write this down.

A neighbour told me they moved to a new house in ***.

Someone else said it’s near a Korean restaurant in South Awaji.

There’s a Korean restaurant in ***.

It should be near there.

Excuse me, my name’s Kudo.

Is this the *** family’s house? Yes.

May I? Please.

This is Kazuki, Yuji’s son.

He disappeared from the dorm at his workplace.

I’ve never actually met my grandson.

Really? Can you come here?

What?

Sorry to bother you.

Yuji’s son Kazuki is missing.

What? Who?

Yuji’s son, Kazuki.

Do you remember him?

I don’t think you’d know what he looks like now.

He looks like his father. Oh, really?

I’ve never met him. I see.

He’s missing.

In Aichi prefecture, I think.

In Aichi? Yeah.

Kazuki actually went missing in Aichi prefecture.

The report was filed at Kariya police station.

Ah, that area.

What!?

Yuji was living there.

Maybe they met up but didn’t tell anyone.

They only told me the area.

Aichi prefecture, Kariya city.

As you know, Kazuki also disappeared in Kariya.

Considering all the facts,

it wouldn’t surprise me if they crossed paths there.

That’s all.

These days, I dream of my mum a lot.

In my dream,

I’m a kid again, sitting at the dinner table,

while my mum’s cooking like always.

We’re eating together,

enjoying a peaceful life.

Or sometimes I dream I’m in trouble, and my mum appears from somewhere

and says, 'Get out of there. Come to me.'

They say when someone dies, they show up in your dreams.

I wonder if something’s happened to my mum…

Welcome. Can I check your ticket?

Cabin 52-12.

Go up the stairs and take the corridor on the right.

Thank you very much for boarding.

This ship is now departing Osaka port.

This is the sports ground of my junior high school.

This bridge is old and famous, from World War II.

Didn’t expect to see this photo here.

I graduated here.

I practised judo here. Can I go inside?

Please go ahead, but it’s messy now.

How old are you?

57 or 58.

57 or 58. – Yeah.

So you’re a bit older than my wife.

You might even be the same age. Have you heard of Kayo Sasamoto?

Yes, I have. – See, I told you.

She’s my wife.

Oh, that Kayo.

I want to own a house.

A single-family home,

or at least an apartment.

Somewhere nearby.

Or

we could buy a cheap old house,

and renovate it.

By ourselves? – Yeah.

We could hang wallpaper and build a kitchen.

For me, a clean bathroom’s important. I don’t care about the rest.

Well, yeah…

I hate dirty bathrooms.

Don’t you want two sinks?

Why?

You mean one on the first floor and one on the second?

No, like that famous YouTuber who films in his house.

Like in a hotel? – Yeah.

Nah, I don’t need that.

Normally, you’ve got mates to chat to about everyday stuff,

but I don’t have any friends now.

Other people my age

got a proper education,

but I couldn’t.

I want to catch up with them.

So do you feel like you’ve lost sight of your life?

People my age are getting married,

having kids, even their second.

I guess that’s what we call ‘normal’.

But I can’t do that.

I have to deal with our situation.

So I don’t know

what a ‘normal’ life feels like.

Right now, I’m still struggling

to figure out how to get back to my old life.

Now he gets a reward.

Good boy, well done.

Good.

So maybe Kazuki has met his real father.

I feel less anxious now.

It almost feels normal that he’s not here anymore.

Of course, I miss him.

After all these years,

I don’t believe he’ll come back.

I don’t know what to say.

I can’t imagine what he’s thinking anymore.

Whatever I assume is just speculation.

Was it this reason, was it that?

I wonder what I could’ve done.

At this stage of his life, there’s nothing I can do.

He’s an adult.

Whatever he chooses,

it’s his life.

I have to accept that as a parent.

Soon…

I told my kids,

and I told them

I’ll see them more often then.

They always ask me,

‘When will we meet again?’

And I tell them,

'Soon, you’ll be able to see me whenever you like.'

Hello!

Ryoshun?

It’s your dad.

Surprised?

Are you playing soccer now?

On a break?

Can we chat for five minutes?

How’ve you been? You play soccer?

What position?

Still growing?

1.86 metres?

You’re getting taller and taller.

But you don’t smoke, yeah?

Haven’t heard from your sister lately.

I see.

I get it.

I’m moving forward, step by step.

I’ll do my best.

So you do yours too.

I’ll call you back.

This has never happened before,

but today, while talking to him,

I felt my face was so relaxed.

I noticed it for the first time.

My relationship with her is broken.

She poured boiling water on me.

Guess she didn’t like me.

I don’t know if it was abuse

or punishment.

I don’t want to see her, because I can’t forgive her.

I don’t want her to die peacefully.

That’s what I thought.

After she’s turned to ashes, I’ll see her again.

I wonder what I’ll feel then.

Maybe regret.

Maybe not.

I probably won’t be there when she dies.

I think one day,

the time might come

when something happens I can’t handle.

I’m always ready.

Then I’ll disappear again and start over.

But I’d probably still keep working.

Got more questions? Ask me anything, my heart’s open now.

The moon.

Sorry, it’s me again.

I’ll grab a taxi now.

How’s Mum?

Please pull over anywhere.

Here’s fine.

I’ll be in touch later.

I’m so glad you look well.

Do you miss Nagahama?

It’s changed heaps.

So, no kids?

Nah.

I was gambling.

Got hooked, but I’m alright now since I quit.

Everything with Mum happened so fast.

She started having delusions.

She heard voices and saw people who weren’t there.

We thought it was a mental illness.

But the doctor said it’s Alzheimer’s.

She’s been in hospital two years already.

Two years?

I didn’t expect that. No idea how it’ll go.

Will you pray for Dad? I will.

Hello, Uncle!

Look, my brother’s back.

Long time no see!

He hasn’t changed a bit, right? –No, he hasn’t.

How long’s it been?

You look smaller. –No, you’ve just gotten bigger.

So good to see you, it’s been ages.

37 years, yeah?

You still remember him, right? –Yeah.

You doing well? Your voice sounds so familiar.

Can I light the incense? Go ahead.

37 years…

2024 Ossa Film, BR, Mori Film