Original subtitles

''l am the wound and the blade. both the torturer and he who is flayed''

Produced by Matsumoto Productions

and Nihon Art Theatre Guild

FUNERAL PARADE OF ROSES

lt's a beautiful day

lt's too bright

- Is that OK? - Yes. l don't like the sun

- You're like an owl - Oh. no. Pass me that

- Do you like my muscles? - Can you lift the chair?

Of course l can

Can you do my back up?

- How do l look? - Beautiful. Eddie

- Do you like my hair down or up? - Either way

- l hate to leave you - Don't quit the bar

l have to

Give me time. l'll make Leda quit the bar

Then you'll be the proprietress

Executive Producer Makoto Kudo

- She'll want revenge over the dope - Damn Leda!

Photographed by Tatsuo Suzuki

Music by Joji Yuasa

Do you want a cigarette?

- That was Leda - No

- It was - Don't look back

- Was she following us? - Nonsense!

But it was Leda

Starring Peter

Osamu Ogasawara

Don Madrid

Emiko Azuma

Hosei Komatsu

Yoshio Tsuchiya

- What will she do? - Nothing

l'm scared

- Damn Leda! If she acts funny... - Don't say anymore

Written and Directed by Toshio Matsumoto

Your hand. Everybody. your hands. please!

- What is it? - Open your hand

What's this?

You look exactly like a girl

- How long have you been a queen? - For four years

Why did you decide to become a queen?

l wanted to be a girl. l like it

- You like girls? - No. l like to behave like one

Does it satisfy you?

Well. l'm very happy now

Will you become a ''man'' again?

- l don't think so - Will you become a transsexual?

No. l won't go that far

- How long have you been gay? - Since last December

- How come? - l like it

- You like what? - Being gay

Gay? You mean you like men?

Not exactly

l can't tell. l like gays. that's all

- Being a queen? - Yes

How come?

- l was born that way - Born?

- Hello! It's been a long time - What a great place

- l was so tired - Too much sex!

- Do you know what this is? - What is it?

As if you didn't know

Oh. no! You're embarrassing me

Watch!

- Things have changed - In this area. yes

You're so right

- It was good in Akasaka - The good old days!

This is the Madame

Beautiful! Wonderful!

- Telephone for you - Excuse me

Hello? Mr lida? Where are you?

The Jardin? Come over here

l'll be waiting. See you later

Mirror. mirror. on the wall. who is the fairest of them all?

You're late

- l'm sorry - Glad you could make it

She's got a nerve

By the way. did you bring it?

Where to. Tony?

Steady!

No. All right. cut!

l'll do it

Take it easy

You arse! Leave it to me. Move it. you lot

Slowly

- OK? - No

- OK? - No

- This is as good as l can make it - It's no good

- Damn it! - Good! It's OK

- l'm talented! - Hardly!

Don't move!

Yeah. that's it

Cut! That's all

- We've 20 feet left - Want a cigarette?

- Keep it - l want to smoke marijuana

- Eddie's not here - Burn banana peel

- That doesn't work - l have two pills

- Give them to me! - Only two

Eye lotion helps

Drink it!

They look weird

He looks good!

Funeral Parade Of Roses

She's shameless. that girl! She makes me mad

Don't worry

Young people nowadays think differently

You're just encouraging them

Don't be critical. or no one will work with you

But Eddie has bad manners. All she knows is how to flirt

Times have changed

But queens should have pride. too

We must respect ourselves

- What's wrong? - l cut my leg. l'm bleeding

Look

Ouch!

lt's like a mosquito bite

You're all right now. Don't get hysterical

l'm sorry. l was anxious

- What about? - That you'd desert me

- You're being stupid - You won't?

Never

Who do you like better. me or Eddie?

You. of course

- Let's have some fun together - Come on

- What's wrong? - Nothing

- Are you alone? - Yes. but l'm all right now

How about a drink with me?

Come and keep me company

Every man has his own mask...

...which he has carved for a long time

Some wear the same masks all their lives...

...others use a variety of masks

Some masks stress the features...

...others are far from their originals.

Some are poor and easily distinguishable...

...others are so skilfully made, they're hardly distinguishable

People always wear masks when they face each other

They see only masks

Even if they remove their masks...

...their faces seldom expose thernselves

Because there may be second masks

And even third masks...

...hidden under the first ones

Therefore, people often take your masks for you

And you take theirs for them

The objective of love and hatred may be the masks

faces suffer loneliness

People try to escape from it...

...and make new masks

Where are we going?

Look. Guevara

Do you want this?

Thread it through

What a sly. mysterious scheme!

Cut!

Oh. wait. OK. OK!

- You don't need the microphone - Next. an interview with Rabbit

An interview? We only have 20 minutes left

Only 20 minutes

Let's have an interview with Rabbit

Do you like the love scene?

A man loves a man. As a queen. what do you think?

Don't you feel guilty?

Well. you can love a man. as well as a woman.

lf you're in love. it makes no difference

Do queens have no interest in girls as sex objects?

There are various types

l can't say yes or no

Are you more interested in men. or in women?

- Me personally? - l mean generally

Generally. yes. They tell themselves they're women

- How about you? - Me? You can guess

Please don't smoke

your cigarettes in bed

If you truly love me

please just turn out the lights

Let's close our eyes

And dream sweet dreams

Your sighs say more to me

than any words could

Tonight we will be together

once again

Please don't smoke

your cigarettes in bed, will you?

Do you know ''NHSMC''?

- Nihon Homosexual Men's Club - Where is it?

ln Minami-cho. There's a party every week

The members bring handsome boys

- l read about it in the paper - No. it's in Akasaka

Really?

You mean the secret club for homosexuals?

- There's a lot of them - There are many impersonators. too

- Impersonators? - They pretend to be gay

They can earn more that way

Don't look at us like that. We're the genuine article!

Some detectives are here

Detectives?

Eddie...

- Do you know him? - Who?

- He's called Yagawa - He's missing

Never seen him

lt was 12 years ago today

You don't remember

Forget about Father. You have me

This is so delicious!

Don't peep

- How nice! - That's pretty!

- It's expensive - It could be a present for me

- A patron? - Yes

- Old news - l didn't know

- Excuse me - Me. too

Board of Film Censorship

What good is she? She's just a loafer

- Come. come - Nothing is any good

Watch out

l understand. Go to bed

Promise me you'll fire Eddie. or l won't move

You're impossible

Eddie is the number one girl at Bar Genet

Customers come to see her. Remember that

You're in love with her. Say so

Stop being stupid! You're always complaining

You rat! Are you a man?

''Are you a man?''

That's a question l should ask you

l'll make one thing clear. If anyone has to quit. it's you. not her

l understand. Try to fire me. if you can

l'll expose your secret business

Then. you don't love mankind?

- Don't desert me - l'm not kidding!

No. l hate it

- Damn Leda! If she acts funny... - Don't say any more

Stop! Please stop

What's up?

l feel sick. Let me get out

Don't be nervous. Eddie. l'll take you home

l need some fresh air

Are you all right? l'll call you later

They look weird

Ready

So. what do you think of it?

- l don't know - My ears are humming

- l've never seen anything like it before - Unplug the speakers

lt's very ''underground''. isn't it?

- Kind of... - You look surprised

l am

''All definitions of cinema have been erased

''All doors are now open''

Menas Jokas

- Jonas Mekas - Of course

But you must feel something with your body

- It's intoxicating - Really? l prefer real drugs

- Good! It's about time for some - No

- Oh. pot! - Good!

No!

- Don't push me - Two for me

Two. No credit

Don't be stingy!

- For you. Piro? - One

How much marijuana have you smoked?

l've smoked a lot. l smoke heavily

How do you feel when you smoke it?

l feel like l'm floating up from the chair

That's how l feel

Like a chair on a rock. Do you know that feeling?

A chair on a rock. It's not too hard to touch

l'm floating up from my bed... That kind of feeling

l want that feeling again. l want more of it

Have you ever smoked marijuana?

- No - Have you ever done drugs?

- l do them all the time - What kind of drugs?

Minahai and Norumo

When l'm out of that. l take Maruso and Donton

How do you feel?

Well. my senses become paralysed

l become psychologically idle. that's all

Well. l find myself in a...

...state of mind where l can't see myself

Something like a state of ecstasy?

Not like ecstasy. or anything

When l take it too much...

...l don't even remember that l've taken it

l don't feel like l exist. but still...

...l hear later on...

...that l was moving around. and did many things

lt's an interesting experience

What are you looking for from the experience?

l'm not looking for anything. It's meaningless

How did you get yourself caught up in this habit?

Well. it's like alcohol. but it's easier to take than alcohol

Stop it! You're tickling me!

You're next!

Try your best!

The top or the bottom?

You're a glamorous type!

Guevara. go for it!

See. l told you l could!

- Take off your shirt! - Get off me! l'll do it!

What a dirty vest!

- Eddie's next! - Me? No

Try harder. Eddie

Strip!

Not yet. Take these off first

''The first chapter has ended

''l'll leave you and go on my next trip''

Roses

Oh. the empire of roses!

Hello

Let's go to the beauty parlour

- Just give me a minute - OK

l'll put my make-up on

These look delicious. Can l have one?

Of course you can

lt looks nice

Oh. no. You're imagining things

- You are - We both have bad imaginations

- Have you sinned? - It was a laugh

l ate at the Kamehachi last night

A boy who sat beside me asked me for a date

He invited me to a hotel

l had a few drinks and then l went to the hotel with him

He was...

...a masochist

He asked me to tie him up and step on him

He cried like a fur seal!

He believed all the time that l was a girl

But l feel sorry for boys like him

You're being naughty!

- Goodnight - Eddie. wait

You know what l want to speak to you about?

Do you think that l can't see what you're up to?

- Badger! - Skunk!

- Thief! - Stupid!

- Arse! - Fairy!

- Whore! - Impotent!

- Shit! - C"_"_t!

How dare you. Get out!

Damn you!

Behind the masks, faces suffer loneliess

People try to escape...

ls that you. Eddie?

Eddie! Come on!

l warned you. didn't l?

Don't cry. This is the last bit

Will l be all right for my birthday?

Of course. They're just scratches

Will you celebrate my birthday with me?

Let's go to the Imperial Hotel and have a big party

No. Let's have it in my apartment. just the two of us

l'll decorate my room with flowers. Roses. of course

l'll light candles as well. It will be wonderful

l'm scared. Everything's hazy

The outlines are always changing

l reach for something. but the next moment l see nothing

You're not the only one

Can't l see it as it really is?

Or is it gone?

Suppose it never was there

From the beginning?

Yes. just like a mirage

What should l believe?

l don't know

lt's strange

What is?

lt's like l've seen it before

But that's impossible. right?

lt's strange! Something is wrong with me

Can that happen?

Watch out. Don't run!

''Father's Return''

Let the day perish wherein l was born...

...it may have an adverse effect on young people

Police headquarters today started...

...an investigation into drug smuggling

As a counterplan. some commentators think it's too little too late

That's the end of the news

- That was Leda - No

- It was - Don't look back

- Was she following us? - Nonsense!

Scum!

l feel funny today

You're just tired

l feel like ''life'' left me behind a long. Iong time ago

''A man spends most of his lifetime walking

''But he isn't always a walker

''lt's possible that a man...

''...who walks little and hates to walk...

''...and is never good at walking...

''...is a walker beyond doubt''

Le Clézio. a writer. said that

You're being naughty!

No!

Don't! Don't!

Don't!

Don't! Don't!

Don't!

Eddie!

The road to sanctity is narrow

Cut!

What do you think about the hero?

He and l have something in common

His father leaves him as a child

His way of living resembles mine. His character. too

His character? Do you sympathise with him?

ln the way that he lives. yes

But not in terms of incest. or things like that

But l do understand him

How did the role attract you?

This is my first movie. and l'm very interested in it

My circumstances are similar to his. That's one reason

And gay life is portrayed beautifully

- And the love scenes? - l just follow what the director says

We demand the complete and unconditional withdrawal

of all US forces from their bases in Japan!

Do you know her?

Only by sight

- She doesn't know me - That's good

What do you want me to do?

Be sure that you get her face

Who's there?

What's wrong?

The police are after me

You're bleeding. Come here

- l'm really grateful - You should go to a hospital

- Did it hurt? - No. l didn't feel it

You're lucky. your injury isn't serious

Thank you

- Why take part in a riot? - To bring down the government

That still doesn't justify violence

What matters is not the admission of violence...

...but the progressiveness of the violence

And whether the violence will stop...

...or whether it will last forever

ln deciding. don't judge crimes by morality

People use morality purely by mistake

Place crimes in terms of logic and dynamics...

...and in history. where they belong

l'm late. l must be going

- l'm sorry to have troubled you - That's all right

- You're late - l'm sorry

Glad you could make it

She's got a nerve

Hello. Sorry to have kept you waiting

Thanks. It's all finished

Thanks to you. l have a good appetite

What are you looking at?

- What are you looking at? - You're looking for trouble. you fags!

- What did you call us? - She called us fags!

- You are fags. aren't you? - You're just common girls!

Common girls?

Men don't like common girls

You dare to call us common?

There's nothing common about our gang tattoos!

You see? Now. get them!

Welcome home. How are they?

- Terrible! - Are they hurt?

Eddie. as well? l don't want to lose her

No kidding! Stop acting!

What did you ask Osumi to do for you?

She confessed

Did you think that your lousy trick would work?

- Please listen to me - Shut up!

l see. You mean you love me that much?

Or you mean that you love...

...running Bar Genet. not me?

You're cruel

Don't cry. No tears for me. No. thank you

''Mirror. mirror. on the wall. who is the fairest of them all?''

What a joke!

You're getting old

Your time is over

Just like that?

You can't blackmail me. There's no evidence

Take your time and look for it

The sun. a decapitated head

- Are you alone? - No

Welcome. Come in

- Do you like Akihiro Maruyama? - l like Carousel Maki

- l like Maruyama - Why?

Because Maki is a transsexual. l'm sorry

How is your movie going?

There are only a few more scenes to do

- It's tough on your first movie - Is it interesting?

l'm not sure. It's very unique though

Awaiting your esteemed acclamation!

- Have you seen Leda? - That's strange. Juju sent for her

- She's late - Can we meet again?

l don't know. Vietnam is at war

Eddie. Juju is on the phone

Hello. it's me

What?

Roses were her favourite flowers

They had to be artificial. too

- Thank you - Thank you. all. Come this way

- The ground here is sinking - It's true! Look at that

The graves are sinking!

l wish the whole country would sink under water

The end of the world is nigh

Guevara...

What are you thinking?

- About the exit - What exit?

''Now. from the open ceiling...

''...roses are falling. one after another

''Spring! O unhappy spring!''

Leave it there

Eddie... l mean Madame. That sounds funny

- Why? - What about this one?

Let me see

Put it in the corner

Sir. throw this away

- Goodbye - Good luck

- Make sure to drop by again - Madame...

- Can l leave it here? - Yes

What is your biggest dream? What do you want to do in the future?

Well. l want to have some savings

l think l'd like to run a shop

- A gay bar? - Possibly

Will you live as a queen all your life?

Yes

Don't you think about marriage?

l do. but l won't get married. l can't

l can't be a ''man''

What do you want to do in the future?

Nothing in particular

- Nothing - Nothing at all?

- No dreams? - l am what l am

Are you happy living as a queen?

- l'm content - What are you going to do?

- Nothing - You have no ideas?

- Are you happy now? - Not very

No? Well. why don't you stop being a queen?

There's no reason to

''Father's Return''

Why don't you take a bath?

What is it?

Frightening. isn't it? The cursed destiny of man

What a mix of cruelty and laughter it is!

Let's look forward to the next programme.

Goodbye. goodbye. goodbye.

The spirit of an individual...

...reaches its own absolute...

...through incessant negation