Original subtitles

Beat takeshi

hidetoshi nishijima

shioli kutsuna

sayuri oyamada Lily franky

hirofumi arai makiko watanabe

adapted from the short story "while the women are sleeping” by Javier marias

directed by Wayne wang

while the women are sleeping

Hey, kenji.

Hey.

Look over there.

Hmm?

Slowly turn around.

Check those two out.

They can't be father and daughter.

Who knows.

Jealous?

Yoo-hoo!

Can I get some as well?

Yeah.

Hey, that's cold!

Oh, sorry.

Aya.

Kyoko!

It's been so long!

Welcome.

Thank you very much.

Sit.

I still have to work, please, sit down.

Thank you.

I heard you made many arrangements for us.

No, not at all.

I read your novel.

Though it was a while ago.

Thank you.

It was in every bookstore.

My mother, she's very well-read.

She couldn't stop talking about it.

Are you writing your second?

I did, about five or six years ago.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'll have to read it then.

He's actually working on his third.

That's amazing.

You are so talented.

But I don't expect any less from aya's husband.

I'll send you a copy when it's published.

Don't worry about it.

I'll buy it for myself.

But... could I get it signed?

Are you working already?

Not today. Tomorrow.

Do you have meetings?

No.

The author I'm working with lives around here.

He's against a tight deadline and he's 72.

Isn't that too harsh for an old man?

He gets mad if I don't stop by.

A novelist husband and an editor wife.

Ah, the glamorous life of an urban couple.

Stop.

Rika came the other day and we talked about you.

Me? What about?

Lots of things. Nothing bad.

I'll let you two catch up.

Oh, I'm sorry.

No worries.

I hope you enjoy your week here.

Thank you.

Whats wrong?

What?

Hey. Just tell me.

Tell you what?

Did what I say to kyoko bother you?

Not really.

Can you stop saying "not really"?

You say it too.

Besides, I'm not even writing.

You will.

Who will?

You will.

- Will what? - Write novels.

Why are you deciding for me?

Because you won't for yourself.

You can't just decide to write a novel.

That's not true. Every writer has a deadline.

If they waited around for inspiration,

we wouldn't have half as many writers.

You're not my editor, aya.

But... I'm not the one who told you to get a job.

I know.

I make enough to raise a kid.

We don't have to talk about this again.

What would you do...

If I said I won't write anymore?

Nothing.

Oh, really.

Nothing.

You have talent.

So I'll always keep telling you not to stop writing...

Until I die.

Sorry.

Not today.

Here, use this.

What?

Shall we go?

He likes to drink after work, so I'll be late tonight.

Don't wait up.

Okay.

I don't need this.

Well, I'm off.

Off you go.

Don't smoke, okay?

Beautiful, isn't she?

Wow, you're all sweaty. What happened?

Thank you.

I put her photo front and center.

Miki.

Miki?

Yep.

When was this taken?

Maybe 10 years ago.

10 years?

This area used to be a huge tourist attraction.

That amusement park had to limit admission.

Now look at this.

They used to come here every year around summer.

They suddenly stopped coming one year.

Who's this couple?

Her parents.

And this one?

No idea.

You interested?

Excuse me?

In those people.

Oh, not really.

Hey, you.

Yes?

Do you know the difference between tights and stockings?

Huh?

Do you know the difference between tights and stockings?

No.

You see,

even if they're both black, they're two different things.

Tights are thick and stockings are thin.

Sometimes, tights are thin too but that doesn't make them stockings.

The unit of thickness is denier, you know?

No.

You don't know denier?

There's actually a sexy denier.

They figured out the denier that attracts men the most.

That's 40 to 60 denier.

It's pretty black from the front. Well, it's black.

But when it bends like this,

it gets sheer. You see skin.

That's 40 to 60 denier.

Men are supposed to like that.

Why do you think men like that?

You kind of understand, don't you?

You're totally confused.

It's strange. I know so much.

Your face is like, "why is this guy so interested in this?"

No.

Yes it is.

You know...

When you ask someone a strange question,

you ought to specify why you're asking.

Don't you think?

Sorry.

Ma!

Why are your dentures out again? Leave them in.

Seriously.

It's disgusting. Don't leave them out.

Come again.

What's wrong? Come again.

Excuse me.

You must like rain.

Have you been here before?

Wait a second. Why don't you sit down?

You like filming?

I can understand why. Your daughter is beautiful.

She's not my daughter.

I've been taping her everyday for about 10 years.

Wow. I don't even own a camera.

But 10 years would make a lot of tapes, no?

I tape over them everyday.

You tape over them?

Every day?

Yes. Every day.

Why?

I want to have a record of her last day.

May we join?

Of course.

My wife.

Mr. Sahara.

I didn't know you've met.

We met by the pool.

I'll be right back.

How long are you staying?

A few more days.

Just like us, right?

Yeah.

I came here for work.

I am an editor and my husband is a novelist.

I'm hardly around during the day.

I would love to relax more.

My husband seems to be getting bored.

That's not true.

Besides, I'm not writing now.

Wow.

I used to be able to eat like that.

But my metabolism has drastically changed.

I'm either sitting at my computer,

or lying around at home.

I joined a gym but stopped going.

Then you should have more sex.

Are you a student?

How long have you two known each other?

Forever.

Since you were little?

Yes.

Since I was small...

He always tried to live just like me.

He tries to understand...

How I see the world.

You can see how much I adore her.

But I know one day...

Her betrayal will come.

It may have already come.

Come here.

Sit down.

Have you ever watched an innocent young girl sleep?

You tape over them, right?

I keep the good ones.

You carry those around?

They're very important.

This is 14 years old.

This is 16.

18 years old.

This is most recent.

These...

Are they all the same?

Just sleeping?

She's slowly changing.

You wouldn't know unless you're close to her.

I have to kill.

Kill?

I can't stand it.

1 would rather kill her...

Than allow my love to die.

Have you...

Considered dying first then?

That wouldn't be right.

You wouldn't understand.

You'll catch a cold.

I knew this would happen.

I'll come home early today.

The storm is a good excuse to leave early.

Shall we go for dinner before the storm?

Okay, 5pm at the station then.

You can use the hotel car, right?

Yeah.

Hey...

Have you seen my hat?

Your hat?

I wonder where it is.

It's not like you.

What's not?

You looking for something.

Right. It's usually the other way around.

Do you need it?

Not today.

When were you wearing it last?

I'm not sure.

It'll show up eventually.

What?

Well, I'm off.

Have you ever watched an innocent young girl sleep?

Have a good day.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I just finished, so please.

Excuse me.

Okay. I'm coming.

I know.

It's all right.

I'll come alone.

Okay.

I understand.

Where are you going?

We made a promise.

Let me go.

Dinner with aya. 5:00 at station.

Sorry I'm late. Please...

Whats wrong?

Is there somewhere you want to go?

Please go.

Did you guys have a fight?

Well, you're young. You must be frustrated,

stuck in the same place for days.

That guy, the one with you, what does he do?

Can you tell me where we should go?

Wait here.

Please go.

Pull over... here.

Were you dreaming?

Yes.

What kind of dream?

My head got cut off.

By a guillotine.

Let me tell you about dreams.

Right before you wake up,

your brain creates all these stories.

All it takes is the touch of cold metal.

Missed call

aya shimizu

You...

Want to kill me, don't you?

Do it, then.

Give me that.

Everybody assumes...

Razors are for cutting throats.

An unidentified woman in her 20's was murdered...

Using a sharp object this afternoon in izu city.

When the body was found,

the woman had bled out on her bed.

She was transported to a hospital,

but was already unconscious and confirmed dead later.

Excuse me.

You know that couple...

The older man and the young girl?

What?

I'm worried about something.

What do you mean?

How long have they been staying here?

I am sorry...

I can't give out information about other guests.

I'm sorry.

This is the 72-year-old author?

Iizuka, what a pseudo-hippie.

His place almost looks Jamaican.

But the curry there is actually quite good.

What happened here?

You're such a mess.

Sorry about today.

I called you several times from his place before leaving.

I'm sorry.

What were you doing?

Nothing.

Oh come on.

And you?

What do you mean?

What were you doing?

I was working.

What?

What are you trying to say?

Well,

I wouldn't be able to write with my editor there all day.

Tell him, not me.

He asks you to come every day?

Not every day, but he gets grumpy if I don't.

How annoying.

It's fine.

Well-mannered writers aren't challenging.

You shouldn't be afraid to demand what you want.

Hey, aya.

Yes?

I don't need you to advise me on my work.

What were you doing with him?

What? With who?

Sahara.

Nothing.

Oh, come on.

We were just talking.

About what?

Do you always tell me everything?

We were talking about you.

Why did you have to talk about me?

Mr. Sahara, he's quite something.

I didn't say anything, but it seemed like he understood everything.

He's good at pretending he does.

You think so?

He told me that I'm not being honest with you.

What does that mean?

What do you think it means?

He probably thinks you're hiding something from me.

Like what?

Like a writer named hirano.

Speaking of which,

he followed me to hirano's today.

What?

Mr. Sahara.

That man is a scary person.

Let's not talk about him anymore.

What else did you two talk about?

That you've been peeping in their room.

Thats...

Research.

I told him it's just research.

You were just researching for your book, right?

Books, research...

All you're interested in is being married to a famous writer.

Your books are brilliant.

Even your second.

But the problem is you hate yourself.

Don't take that out on me.

Father's little Princess can't have what she wants for the first time.

I'm not hungry, so have breakfast without me.

Sure.

I'll see you tonight.

Okay.

Mr. Sahara, he's quite something.

I didn't say anything, but it seemed like he understood everything.

There was this shadow...

Excuse me, sorry to bother.

Are you Mr. shimizu?

Yes.

I'm ishihara. From the izu police department.

May I ask you a few questions?

It will be quick.

Please go ahead.

Thank you.

Your vacation's over soon?

What?

About a week? Your vacation.

Sure, yes.

I'm so jealous.

I've never gotten even a week off since I took this job.

Even if I did, I wouldn't know what to do.

And look at this hotel.

It would stress me out to have a room bigger than my apartment.

But I'm just common folk.

May I ask, are you here with your wife?

Yes.

I see.

If you don't mind me asking, what is your occupation?

I'm working for a company starting this fall.

From this fall?

Are you changing jobs?

Does it matter?

Oh, sorry. Occupational habit. I drag things out too much.

Well, Mr. shimizu.

I did a little search of your name on the Internet.

So you're a novelist.

I haven't published enough to be called one.

Please.

You've won quite an award.

What's it called...

Akutagawa, no, that's not it.

I don't know about these things but it's a big deal.

I don't read, but even I've heard of the title.

As a novelist, are you always observing your surroundings

to incorporate into your ideas?

Sometimes.

Are you still going to write?

Well, perhaps.

There's only a handful of novelists who can make a living out of it.

Most have other jobs.

Is that so?

No job is easy, I guess.

Um...

So sorry.

You see...

You know Mr. Sahara, right?

The man here with a young woman.

Yes.

I heard you knew him from an employee. Your wifes friend.

Oh.

Care for one?

No.

Don't mind if I do.

The young woman he's with...

She's missing.

Mr. Sahara reported it.

90 percent of these are just lovers fighting.

But occasionally it can be a real crime.

So we can't afford not to do anything.

I don't know what to tell you.

I know.

My experience tells me that you're probably not involved.

But it's our job to examine everyone with any connection.

So I've been talking to people here and there.

I mean the people in this hotel.

One thing came up.

A cleaning lady told me that she saw you in Sahara's room.

In fact I was just talking to her.

They usually check your key when they bump into guests.

But she just greeted you because you looked so unassuming.

She was quite disturbed about it.

No, that's...

I totally sympathise with her.

You really don't look like one to trespass.

Well, that's...

Of course, I heard what happened after.

Mr. Sahara told me this.

When he returned to the room...

You were already inside.

That's what he said?

That's not true.

Please believe me.

Mr. shimizu,

I always wonder...

Why do people who have something to hide always say,

"it's true. Please believe me."

People telling the truth don't say things like that.

Please...

Work that into your next novel.

- Would you turn the monitor to us? - Certainly.

Please show us the camera over Sahara's room.

Yes, sir.

Just remember.

Someone is always watching.

I like the scent of the girl.

Especially her lingering scent.

Shall we go?

Here's a message for you, Mr. shimizu.

Thanks.

Have a good day, sir.

Meet me at izuka at 5:30pm. Wiki

Sorry, we're not open yet.

Oh, it's you.

Can you put that over here?

Excuse me...

How much longer are you here?

Until tomorrow.

That's nice.

When my mom was healthy I used to travel a lot.

You ever been to Africa?

You know those prides of lions?

I hear there's always one lion who gets all the girls.

So, that lion king, he bangs all the female lions.

But there are sometimes ugly females.

And those female ones...

They let the unpopular male lions bang them.

My parents are definitely that type.

My dad...

He was short, bald and broke.

But when coffee was still rare in Japan,

he poured my ma a cup of coffee and said this:

"Bitterness is a sorrow" or something like that.

Lion king, huh?

So interesting.

I wanted to see Africa before I die.

So, what is it?

This girl, the one who used to come every year. Did she come?

That girl?

Did she come? Where?

Here.

Here? You mean, here?

Yes.

Are you a detective or something?

You don't have a policeman's face.

No.

I know her. She asked me to meet her here at 5:30.

What do you want?

Just tell me.

I'm looking for her.

She must be some girl with all you people looking for her.

Her parents came looking for her many times.

She took off with a man.

Did she run away voluntarily?

How should I know.

You know her. Ask her in person.

Sorry.

Hey, come on.

I might have some more photos.

Do you want to come look?

Upstairs.

Go on.

Come on.

Hey.

Did you know that male calico cats are endangered?

So people are trying to breed them.

So these male cats get to eat and fuck all day.

They get more and more stupid.

In front of the female cats,

or even when they sleep, their tongues just hang out.

Like an imbecile prince in a period piece.

So you know, men...

When you make things too easy, they become idiots.

But, man...

How could her parents have expected...

Their best friend to betray them.

Best friend?

You really can't trust anyone.

That man and her parents were best friends?

Mr. best friend just came to pick up a hat.

But you know, men always say they want to settle down.

It must just be male behavior

to pursue troublesome women.

You...

Kind of look like him.

Aya!

Aya!

Whats wrong?

Excuse me, I need to go.

Where?

To my wife, she's waiting.

Why do you have to rush?

I want to talk. It won't be long.

Come, let's go to the pool.

It'll be quick.

Let's go.

There was nothing I could do about her changing.

Maybe change is a good thing.

We made a promise.

But she...

She betrayed me.

What have you done to her?

What is your wife doing now?

What is that supposed to mean?

Did you find the hat?

What are you saying?

Aya?

Here's an ice tea, madam.

Very impressive.

Thank you.

This book wasn't for our company. You shouldn't have.

You have nothing to worry about.

But next time, publish with us so your wife gets some credit.

He's not the best with these matters.

Just a little?

No, no she shouldn't.

I'll just have this.

An evening of double celebration.

First, to the success of your new book, kenji.

Cheers!

Thank you.

Oh, this is so good.

Have you read all the work of award candidates?

Of course, I have.

Of course.

Any good recommendations?

Please excuse me.

Mr. Sahara?

The conversations of summer.

The confidences and stories we exchanged.

Yet the certainty that they had once existed...

No longer leads me anywhere.

Sahara beat takeshi

kenji hidetoshi nishijima

miki shioli kutsuna

aya sayuri oyamada

ishihara hirofumi arai kyoko makiko watanabe

iizuka Lily franky

Executive producers riichiro Nakamura toichiro shiraishi

produced by yukie kito

adapted from the short story "while the women are sleeping” by Javier marias

screenplay by Michael k. Ray shinho Lee mami sunada

production supervisor satoshi fukushima

line producer keizo shukuzaki

edited by Deirdre slevin chikako namba

cinematography by atsuhiro nabeshima

lighting by takafumi kitaoka

production design by noriyasu ataka

sound by Kiyoshi kakizawa

sound effects by kenji shibazaki

music by youki Yamamoto

Distributed by toei company

production company Cal

directed by Wayne wang

©2016 film "onna ga nemurutoki® film partners