Original subtitles

Observational Film #9 by Kazuhiro Soda

- Thank you. - Sure.

Mr. Kaneda.

Excuse me.

I'm Soda... Actually, I filmed you for "Mental".

- Do you remember me? - I do, I do.

Thank you.

I'm making a documentary on Dr. Yamamoto now.

If you don't mind, I'd like to film your session.

- I'm OK. How about you, Mom? - Sure.

Is it OK? Thank you very much.

Hello.

These days, when I see you...

When I see you, I record our conversation

so I can recall your words every day.

I'm now practicing your advice to "place myself at zero".

For example, when I want a new CD or a new manga I'm collecting

I try to "place myself at zero".

But it's tough.

It must be.

You want CDs but you can't buy them...

Right, I want to feel better by fulfilling my desire

but I stop myself.

And it's tough.

What do you do then?

I try to resist my desire...

placing myself at zero like a monk.

I see.

You know,

you can't do that every day.

Maybe once a week

you can decide to place yourself at zero for a day

or to live here and now.

Do I make that decision?

Yes, it's you who decides

to keep-your desire down for a day.

But, you once told me to do what I want.

But then, I desire more.

But you also told me to place myself at zero.

So I'm totally confused.

You're right. They contradict.

So what am I supposed to do?

Basically, you need to cherish your desire.

But in reality, it's hard to realize what you want.

You can't fly even if you really want to, can you?

I see.

You wish it's going to be sunny, but it could rain.

Your wishes often can't be realized.

But you don't have to change your wish.

You can still wish for it to be sunny.

And when it rains, you're disappointed,

and the life goes on.

That's how we all live, no?

And that's OK.

But once a week

maybe you just stop wishing anything at all.

You simply stop it.

"Today, I'm just alive. I'm thankful for that."

You mean, I can usually seek what I want?

What?

You mean, from day-to-day I can...

Yes, you should cherish what you want.

But just once a week, you simply forget about them

so you can be thankful for what you have.

When you eat meals, you can be thankful that you can eat.

Some people can't even eat, you know?

We can be thankful for our meals when we place ourselves at zero.

I understand.

We feel good when we feel thankful.

No?

On a day you decided to place yourself at zero,

What if I hit your face?

And you say "ouch!"

You may get angry.

But it's a day you placed yourself at zero.

You can tell yourself,

"I'm glad I can feel the pain. It means I'm alive."

You see?

You may not like being hit, but you can still be thankful.

You can create such a day.

It's considered to be helpful for modern people's mental health.

Really.

Because everybody's too greedy, no?

I see...

Dr. Yamamoto...

Your words guide me 24/7 but I understand you're retiring...

So I'm wondering...

if you could give me any last words.

I'd like to tell you

I really respect that

you've made such extraordinary efforts

to survive until today.

Really.

I know your mother and father helped you too,

but it was you who did the toughest work.

You endured the matter of life and death.

Didn't you?

I recognize your parents' efforts,

but it was you who endured the most.

That's why you're here now.

I'd like to thank you.

Really.

You made me realize how great a human being could be.

My father also fought for me...

I want to thank my parents...

Well...

Nobody endured more than you.

You did more than your parents or me.

Nobody can do more than the patient himself.

In this day and age,

if you're sick,

it's so tough to live.

Really.

People are harsh, no?

People are so selfish bullying each other.

So your being alive is already an accomplishment.

Zero

Dr. Masatomo Yamamoto is retiring from the clinical field

so this will basically be his commemorative lecture.

Dr. Yamamoto is widely known for the film "Mental".

He is a pioneer who created the foundation for

the community-based mental health care in Okayama.

Good morning.

You may know this if you've taken care of the elderly until the end

but old people tend to live longer

when you assume this is the end.

And you repeat that process many times.

My situation is quite similar.

I'm not dead yet

although I delivered my "last message" a while ago.

The other day I dislocated my right shoulder

so it was really inconvenient every day.

And I gradually became depressed.

I started skipping my breakfast and lunch.

It was too hard for me to do anything.

And when my children saw me doing nothing,

they told me,

"You've got to do some exercise," or

"You've got to eat," or

"You should keep your routine."

All kinds of things.

But I know all of that.

The problem is I couldn't do it even if I wanted to.

Then I realized

my patients must be forced to listen to all this nonsense

for many, many years.

When I told this to one of my patients, he said,

"Now you understand us a little."

I think they deserve a lot of respect.

They're unable to do most of what they want

but they endure everything.

The little problem on my shoulder which made me depressed

is no comparison.

But nobody thinks they deserve respect.

And this lack of respect makes their lives even tougher.

That's how I feel.

Thank you so much for everything.

Thank YOU.

Well... I don't want to say your job is done.

You need to live longer

until 90 or 100.

Please stay healthy.

Thank you.

I don't want to cry, so I just want to give you some flowers.

Doctor, I came from Tokyo because Ms. Mori from Hyoronsha Publishing

told me you're the doctor she admires the most.

Thank you for your great lecture.

Wow, you have a baby?

- How old? - Almost 4 months.

- He's big. - Over 4000g when he came out.

Looks healthy.

I was worried he might start crying during your lecture.

Congratulations.

I'm reading your book now. Can I get your autograph?

Coexistence

What's the book?

Dr. Yamamoto and an education scholar co-authored this book.

Masatomo Yamamoto

Can you hold this?

Here.

Good morning.

Is Chorale open?

Ms. Yamamoto, this way.

Could you wait a second?

He'll take you to the daycare.

Ms. Yamamoto, this way.

See you then.

Ms. Yamamoto, this way.

Consultation Room

In terms of my future,

after you retire,

what should I do?

Well...

In terms of medical care in a narrow sense,

what do you want to do?

If you're still practicing anywhere, in any capacity,

I'd like to follow you.

Yes.

I see.

Well, I'll keep my cellphone which you can call,

so in terms of medical care in a narrow sense,

it may be convenient for you to visit somewhere near, no?

Near?

- I don't mind traveling. - Really.

I can go anywhere if you're there.

I see... then please give me some time.

I mean, I'm trying to transfer everybody to various institutions

so everybody will have a place to go.

I'm in the middle of doing it.

We have to say goodbye anyway, no?

- Really? - Eventually.

Well, that's true but

I'd feel sad if this is the end.

You've always been my doctor

since the time when I was in the worst condition.

For how long now?

About... 15 years, I guess.

- Hi. - Hi.

- Can I have your name, please? - Maeda.

By the way,

what do you think of me registering as "disabled"

to receive benefits?

It might be beneficial

if you don't have any prejudice against doing that.

It depends on how you feel.

If you feel that you're the same no matter what your status is.

I recommend that you register.

If your status affects how you perceive yourself,

you shouldn't register.

- OK... Let's discuss it again. - Yes.

- Shall I give you 30 days of prescription? - Yes, please.

OK, then.

If possible,

I'd like to continue seeing you.

I understand.

After you retire,

I wonder which hospital I should go to.

I'm also really worried I'll never see you again.

The idea of changing doctors makes me nervous, too.

Do you want to stay here?

- Yes, but you won't be here. - No.

But here, you know the people you've been working with.

Will I ever see you again?

Well...

How can I say this...

It may sound rude but I feel this is half-baked.

I want you to keep looking over me for a little while longer.

I mean...

You're retiring all of a sudden. So it makes me...

It's true I'm giving you trouble.

- Hello. - Come in.

Hi.

You're trying hard.

- Sorry I couldn't go. - Huh?

- Sorry I couldn't visit you. - Yes.

I wrote you a letter.

Dear Dr. Yamamoto

The day we'll say goodbye is getting closer and closer.

I hope you don't have any regrets. I hope you're healthy.

I'm sorry to ask you but is it possible to lend me 4000 yen?

I'm running out of money this month.

- I understand. - I'm sorry.

You're trying hard.

- I don't think of running away now. - You don't?

I mean, I'm trying hard to...

Hold on.

I'm sorry.

Is this enough? I hope so.

What?

Yes, it's helpful.

3000 yen.

1000 less.

I hope it's enough.

I'm completely broke...

so I can't even buy soap and everyday things...

I'm sorry.

I will borrow this, sorry.

By the way, you wrote you had a concern...

It's about our phone conversation the other day.

What did I say?

- It's on the second page. - You wrote on the second page.

You called me and said you couldn't visit me.

Oh, I see. That was...

You told me you'll leave 2000 yen here for me

if that would solve my problem.

- Did you get the money? - Yes.

Because I was broke. But I felt sad coming here.

You know, it's true I always ask you for some money.

Every time I meet you, it's about money.

But I felt really sad

because it wasn't about money this time.

Right.

I wish you understood.

It was a misunderstanding.

I wish I was able to visit you but I couldn't.

Well, I requested your house call

because I needed your medical help, not money.

The other day,

I noticed a sign at the gate.

It said, "We make house calls."

Maybe it was Dr. Fujita who put it up.

But that's why I requested a house call.

And if Dr. Fujita would visit me,

I thought I could introduce myself to him.

When I called the clinic, I was lying in bed.

I was in such a bad condition.

I was afraid it might be too rude to meet Dr. Fujita

for the first time lying in bed

but I thought I had no choice.

Did you meet him?

No way.

Why not?

When I meet him, I want you to be there.

I'm scared.

You shouldn't be!

Well, since the time I was in the mental hospital,

I have a fear of doctors who have the authority

to force you to be hospitalized.

I feel comfortable to see you here because you don't have a hospital.

Even if you have admitting privileges, I don't have such fear.

Here I don't have to worry about you calling somebody by intercom

to force me into the hospital.

I don't have to worry about that.

But doctors in the hospital...

They keep necessary forms for hospitalization

in a plastic case on the desk.

Somewhere they can reach easily.

The case contains all kinds of forms to process hospitalization.

When I see a doctor,

I always keep my eyes on that

because they can just sign the form to take me away.

I'm so afraid of that.

And these nurses...

they have animal strength.

No matter how hard I resist, two nurses can easily get me.

And if they manage to inject me, it's over.

Dr. Fujita isn't such a doctor. He would never do that.

So I would love to meet Dr. Fujita but...

I'll see you after you meet him. I'll still see you, no?

Yes, a few more times.

So you should meet him now...

But if I'll meet him alone,

I might be too nervous to say what I want to say.

But I'll see you afterwards, no?

Well, when I meet Dr. Fujita,

I would really like you to be there

at your convenience.

There's no need. I can assure you.

I don't even know his face!

That's why you need to meet him now.

I'll see you afterwards.

For example, if you'd meet him tomorrow...

Tomorrow's 20th.

Then I can see you on 23rd.

- Isn't it a holiday? - No.

Oh OK, 23rd.

I can also see you on 30th.

I can also see you on 26th.

3 more chances.

Dr. Fujita is the head of this clinic, no?

I'm afraid he might be a doctor

who will force me to follow his way.

A modern, current way.

But if that should happen, you have my number, don't you?

I do, but I don't know if I'd be calm enough to call you.

As my guardian points out,

I tend to worry about everything

once I start feeling apprehensive.

And I dig my own grave refusing to listen to other people.

Right.

He always tells me.

You're aware, but you can't help it.

It's my nature.

You're being defensive because you've had tough experiences.

I guess I learned too much.

I didn't want to learn it.

But it's in my head.

Well, let's work together.

- OK? - OK.

Make an appointment with Dr. Fujita now.

- I don't know his availability. - Right.

I know his availability next month but...

I'll tell her.

He's seeing how many?

I'll tell her now.

I don't know his schedule this month.

I'll tell her now.

Listen. Please make an appointment for him with Dr. Fujita

tomorrow or Thursday.

Then we'll decide what to do.

Got it. Tomorrow or Thursday.

- Hello. - How are you?

Free okara.

No need to cook tonight.

- With lots of vegetables. - Great.

You need some rice.

- I have some. - You do?

I can use a rice cooker.

Yamato Clinic

Welfare Designated Doctor

Mosquito Coil

Hello. He's already filming.

Doctor, here's some okonomiyaki.

Okonomiyaki?

Our dinner tonight.

Thanks.

What are YOU going to do, Doctor?

I don't know yet.

You don't? You should return to Saeki.

Go home around the time the cherry blossoms bloom.

Well, I'll be busy in April.

I need to find places for all my patients.

I don't think I can finish so soon.

So I need to keep working in April.

Because of my retirement,

some patients are already feeling worse

so I need to follow up with them.

Will Dr. Fujita keep my disability status?

He'll succeed all the documents.

So don't worry about it.

OK then, I'll visit you again when you get settled.

Thank you very much.

Doctor, take care of yourself.

Don't work too hard. Don't be like me.

Right.

You should avoid that.

I'll give you 30 days of prescription today.

Thank you so much for everything.

And for the dinner.

I'll visit you soon. Please stay alive.

You too.

- Thank you. - See you.

How long ago did I meet you for the first time?

About 20 years ago.

- When did we meet... - Dr. Yamamoto?

Yes, about 20 years ago.

You really saved us, Doctor.

We were so lucky to meet you.

But I praise myself because it was I who persevered.

It's true.

Because I didn't give up,

we found our way to you, Doctor.

We should never give up.

God helps us if we don't.

And thanks to you,

I had so much fun.

Thanks to you,

my life has really been richer.

You need to live long and enjoy your life, Doctor.

But Doctor,

I always wanted to tell you...

you've done enough for people and society.

Now you should take care of yourself and your wife

so you can be happy and healthy.

You're the kind of person who needs to make the effort to do that.

- Because I'm addicted. - Yes, addiction.

We patients also need to learn to be independent.

We all want to rely on someone but...

Dr. Yamamoto is certainly addicted.

Yes, addicted to helping. But you shouldn't.

Hard to cure addiction.

But somebody will be your victim.

So hard to cure addiction, no?

This one too.

I wrote a referral letter for Mr. Moto.

Is this "NW"?

Referral Letter

- Yes. - OK.

Ms. Jiyama came to pick up her prescription today.

She wants to see Dr. Fujita starting April.

What happened to this?

Sorry, I haven't contacted them.

We need to reply to them.

I had no time today. Should I call them now?

- She's back. - Thank you.

Have a seat.

Thank you so much.

My wife fixed you something...

Wow, thanks.

This is the only way that makes me useful

I go this way - by Saneatsu

Ms. Yamamoto.

- Yes? - Nothing. I'm just an intruder.

Really? Go see him.

No, (mumbling)

- I'm just an intruder. - Oh, I see.

- Is this going to be a movie? - Yes.

Yoshiko.

Me?

I'm an intruder. Don't worry about me.

- Yeah? - I'm an intruder.

OK then...

Thanks for waiting.

Shall we go?

- What's going to happen to me? - What?

- What's going to happen to me? - Nothing.

As an ordinary person,

I'm trying to pursue ordinary happiness (mumbling)

I want to be with a lady who's 24. Even I have desire.

I want to be with the chief of the general affairs.

Well, you shouldn't give it up.

Let's work on it.

The longest I have... I've lived in Okayama for 30 years.

The longest I worked for is the legal department.

And (mumbling) the longest among them is Ms. WH.

(mumbling) 10 years longer.

And the longest I worked for is the legal department

and the longest (mumbling) is Ms. WH...(mumbling)

Well, you can't solve such an issue in a second.

You need to take time...

I have a right to pursue ordinary happiness.

Yes, of course.

- This way? - No, that way, Yoshiko.

Difficult to understand.

Here.

I got 100 points...

We're leaving.

See you.

It doesn't open.

I don't know why.

The door doesn't open.

Let's push it. Shall we?

It's faster to go that way.

Please come in.

Hello.

What's going on?

Bathroom... Are you using it?

- Yes. - Then go ahead.

Korean Grocery

This way?

Shall we go inside?

Shall we have some tea, Mr. Soda?

Let's have some sweet buns.

Let's use this.

Later.

This one...

Leave it there.

The problem is the tea.

- Let's go to the living room. - Shall we?

Can you take this?

Chopsticks...

Which one?

Let's have some Aquarius instead.

This one...

Shall we go?

Shall we go to Chorale?

Let's go to the living room.

This way.

- This way please. - Yes.

Excuse me.

- Have a seat. - Thank you.

Let's have some.

Yes, it looks delicious.

- Please sit. - Thank you.

Here you go.

Thank you very much.

Let's have some.

A dog is barking.

He's barking so much.

He's trying to say something.

What happened to him?

Oops.

How can I...

Got it!

Strange... I don't see any dogs.

I don't either.

- Come in. - Yes.

I'm tired.

- Huh? - Tired, no?

It's delicious.

A sweet bun.

That's Mr. Soda's.

Thanks a lot.

A sweet bun.

Thank you. I'll have one.

I have mine.

- Going to school? - What?

Are you going to school now?

To school? Who?

- You. - Me?

That's what I thought.

I didn't have school today.

- Please have some. - Yes.

- They're rice crackers. - Yes.

Do you know that? Yes, I do.

- Rice crackers. - Yes, I'll have one

- Delicious. - Really? Cool.

Cool.

Here's the results of junior-grade matches.

10th Anniversary of Chorale Okayama

Thank you

The hand of God?

A bud of a bellflower unfolds itself – by Yoshiko

This is Yamamoto.

One of my patients and his mother do not get along with each other

so they'd like to live separately

but they don't know if they're capable of it.

So I'm wondering if the patient could try living in your facility for a week

to see if they could live separately.

Yes.

Yes, Yes.

I got it.

You have a cook.

It's me and my husband.

Do you remember when you took this photo?

Do you remember?

- Not really. - Not really?

In high school... we were...

- Classmates? - Classmates.

- With Dr. Yamamoto? - Yes.

I see.

Were you in the same class?

Yes, we were.

It was called Wake High School.

What did you think of Dr. Yamamoto?

Back then we were classmates, you see?

So I wondered...

what happened to him.

What happened to him?

What do you mean by that?

I was surprised.

Surprised?

- Because he wasn't good. - He wasn't good?

- His grades. - His grades weren't good?

At Wake High School.

Dr. Yamamoto didn't do well at school?

We were together from junior high.

- She was always at the top. - Wow.

She was always the best student.

So I think she studied a lot but she would never say that...

Never.

Was Dr. Yamamoto nice looking?

I don't know about that.

Everybody talks about it.

Did you take a medical checkup?

National Pension? The one that disappeared?

- Is this you and Masatomo? - Yeah.

What a nice photo!

A great couple.

Mr. Hayano.

We're running out of rice so we're cooking more now.

Mr. Soda.

Why don't you have a dinner here?

Yes.

I'd like to order some sushi.

Hello, this is Yamamoto.

Could you deliver one usual for my wife and two more?

Yes, thank you.

Yes.

Good evening.

Yes.

Thank you as always.

Thank you.

Let me see...

Please hold on.

Take your time.

- Please wait. - Yes.

Where did I put it?

I found it.

Hello.

Good evening.

- 6480 yen in total. - OK.

- Here's 5000 yen. - Yes.

- And 6000... 7000 yen. - 7000 yen.

Hello.

Your change.

Thank you very much.

Thanks.

Oops, it came with chopsticks.

He's so funny.

Let's eat.

Oh no, I've got to wash them...

Shall we just use these?

That's too tactless.

What's going on?

I'm making some soup.

Do you want this? No?

Let's go.

Shall I take this?

Please.

You brought that?

Please put it on the floor.

On the floor.

On the floor.

On the floor.

Put it on the floor. Hold on...

On the floor.

Good.

This is yours, Yoshiko.

Who's is this?

This is Mr. Soda's.

Thank you very much.

I've never opened this kind of thing.

Yoshiko, you're the smart one.

Please figure it out.

- It smells nice. - Huh?

- It smells nice. - Huh?

It smells nice.

Smells who?

Please.

Actually, I need to drive, so...

What shall we do? Any good ideas?

I'll just enjoy the smell.

How about... taking a taxi?

Well...

- I'll send you off in a taxi. - Oh well.

Let's do that.

Really?

Because this is a rare occasion.

Let's take a taxi together. No worries.

- Let's do that. - OK then. Thanks.

- Let's do it. - Thank you.

Thank you very much.

- Thanks. - Cheers.

How about Yoshiko?

- Let's toast. - Let's toast.

- Yoshiko, over there. - Here.

Here.

This.

- This? - Yeah.

Cheers.

Cheers to you, Yoshiko.

Let me taste it.

- Delicious. - Yes, delicious.

- Are you with Downtown? - Downtown? What's that?

- The TV show. - No, no.

It's a film. A documentary film.

Then are we in the film?

Will I be popular?

Yoshiko! Come on in.

- A souvenir. - Wow thank you.

The missus,

- Please ignore me while filming. - Oh should I?

I've never be in a film so I'm too excited.

Please stop me if I say something bad.

Shall I give you another cushion?

No, we're fine.

I'm already 80, so Yoshiko is 82.

We've walked the same path.

- You're 80 now? - Yes.

Looking back, it was so much fun.

Yoshiko used to come here once a week

to practice tea ceremony with 7 of us.

It was fun, wasn't it?

She's such a smart person so she had a deep understanding.

We also visited each other

because we live within walking distance.

And then her mother became sick...

We were so connected in many interesting ways.

Excuse me.

Hello.

He looks busy... are you OK?

Shall I give you some tea?

No, that's unlikely.

OK then.

We could chat 24 hours back then.

We were so close.

We both loved kabuki and classical music.

We were big fans of the kabuki actor Ebizo.

We enjoyed kabuki, classical music,

and the stock market, which was a secret to Dr. Yamamoto.

She had Okasan Securities... Oh please don't film this.

You know.

- Until the bubble burst. - Exactly.

We often discussed which companies to invest in.

She was a shrewd investor.

She taught me how to navigate the ups and downs.

We discussed economics, politics, and everything.

That's how we were.

We went through everything.

It was a time before we had cell phones.

Her mother started wandering around.

We often looked for her in different directions.

We worked together to find her.

But...

Thanks to you, Yoshiko could look after her at home.

I was always at your place

until evening when I had to prepare dinner for my husband.

Yoshiko was healthy back then,

and we used to chat about our kids and everything.

People don't have such relationships anymore.

Nowadays, no.

To take care of the elderly at home,

you need somebody to support you.

It was thanks to you she was able to take care of her.

No, no, she was the one who supported me.

She couldn't have done it alone.

She needed somebody who could help her in a crisis.

Yoshiko was more than my friend. I can't think of anybody like her.

So I knew all the troubles she had, too.

For example,

Dr. Yamamoto accepted his patients at home.

But their kids were still small

so it wasn't so easy for them.

Because they were little.

Some patients stayed overnight, no?

It was extraordinary.

- And it was she who took care of them. - Exactly.

I only brought them home.

Right. And I'm sure it was hard for you

but she was also...

because they were mentally sick and all.

Yoshiko often dealt with their families, too.

I remember a wife of a patient stormed into your house.

She told me all these stories.

Dr. Yamamoto let his patients stay overnight and persuaded their families...

When Dr. Yamamoto accepted his patients at home,

what kind of problems did that cause for Yoshiko?

Well, she was worried about her kids.

She was taking care of two kids who were still in elementary school

but she also had to take care of the patients

who were kind of like guests in the house, you know?

She often had to prioritize the patients over the kids,

which I think is understandable, but...

- I understand. - Don't you?

Oh please don't bother with the cups.

I mean,

she was really concerned about it.

But all I could do was just to listen to her.

All I did was to hear her concerns.

She was really worried.

It was a concern she couldn't tell her husband

because he was only trying to help his patients.

Some patients fought with their spouses until they got divorced...

and all kinds of things happened.

So I was like...

Do you remember?

Do you remember?

You went through so many things, didn't you?

Anyway, we chatted about everything from kids to the stock market.

It was a lot of fun.

And her mother...

she was always in the room next to the entrance

so we locked the entrance

and chatted about everything listening to music or watching TV.

- Do you mean Dr. Yamamoto's mother? - No, Yoshiko's.

For Dr. Yamamoto, she was an in-law.

But they lived together until the end.

Yoshiko went through a lot.

Maybe I shouldn't say this but...

Dr. Yamamoto also had his own family.

So it was a lot of pressure for Yoshiko.

She told me all that.

And all I did was listen to her.

I remember your mother told her that was her home.

She was dismissive of Yoshiko.

It was hard for her.

A young lady...

- Did Yoshiko tell you about it? - Yes, very often.

Did she?

My mother came to our house, looked around, and said,

"This is also my house."

Yes, she claimed it was hers.

It put enormous pressure on Yoshiko.

- Dr. Yamamoto's mother said that to her. - Yes.

She had her own house, but claimed our house also belonged to her.

- Did you live together with her? - No, no.

We lived with HER mother.

They lived with Yoshiko's mother.

My mother lived in the country side but sometimes visited us

and said, "This is also my house."

Exactly. Isn't it rough?

If your in-law says such a thing...

I can't imagine.

And she would never argue, you know?

She agreed with her.

She silently obeyed her.

I've never experienced such a thing

so I was quite...

You helped her by listening to her.

She could confide in you.

It's true you feel better if you can just let it out.

You don't expect your problem to be solved.

But you feel better by speaking out.

Nowadays, that's really tough to do.

Everybody's living in a hostile atmosphere.

But Yoshiko was lucky to have you.

She survived such a stressful life

thanks to you.

Well, I wasn't really...

Remember the time Yoshiko and I often traveled abroad?

I was trying to create fun memories.

Where did you go?

Many places.

We went to Spain, Las Vegas...

To make fun memories.

I was stupid.

Why?

We had fun but she wouldn't remember anything new.

- You already knew she was ill. - Yes.

But... I really respect you for taking care of your wife like this.

I admire you.

Well, it was my lifework

to coexist with my patients

but she was sacrificed for that.

So...

Because your husband is so busy, it must be difficult for you, no?

Difficult? Well...

I'm used to it.

It's become normal.

He has no schedule, you know?

He often goes out to see his patients late at night

staying overnight.

But you look like you're getting along.

I don't know...

At our age, there're no big ups or downs.

It's like a quiet ocean.

- It's like that. - I see.

Oh, it was you.

Hello.

Let's go.

Can you get out?

Please get out.

Oh, I don't see anybody.

The door...

Put it down.

There...

Yoshiko, hold my hand.

Hold my hand.

Hold my hand.

Right, hold my hand.

Wait.

Hold on.

Wait.

Wait.

Your hand.

Good.

Here.

You're almost there.

Good.

Good.

Hold on. Slowly.

Watch your step.

I'll go first.

OK?

Here, here.

70 years old, it says.

May 6, 1973 Miyoji Yamamoto, 70 years old

I was told to offer these.

I only know my parents and my grandparents.

- This is your... - Grandparents.

My sister told me to offer them.

Feb 10, 1948 Shinpei Yamamoto, 67 years old

Oh, no.

I forgot to bring matches.

OK then, let's put it there as a mere token.

I put it as a mere token.

As a mere token, I put it there.

After we get back to Chorale...

Shall we take this?

(chanting a sutra) Namu-amidabutsu.

Thank you for everything.

Are you offering some water?

Huh?

No? Then I'll do it for you.

Hold my hand.

- Watch your step. - Huh?

- Watch your step. - What?

Watch your step, I said.

Masatomo Yamamoto Yoshiko Yamamoto

Produced by Kiyoko Kashiwagi

Directed, produced, shot, and edited by Kazuhiro Soda

Distributed by Tofoo Films LLC

English subtitles by Aya Ogawa & Kazuhiro Soda