Original subtitles

TOHO Film Studios

Manufacturer: Hiroshi Teshigahara

Eiji OKADA

WOMAN OF THE SANDS

Screenplay: Kobo Abe Producers: Kiichi Ichikawa, Tadashi Ono

Production Manager: Iwao Yoshida

Image: Hiroshi Segawa Music: Toru Takemitsu

Decorations: Totetsu Hirakawa, Masao Yamazaki

Directed by: Hiroshi Teshigahara

Translation: Dappon (alfiaro@yahoo.com)

Impressive!

Are you under inspection?

Inspection?

Not really.

Are you expecting any?

you can stay as long as you want as long as it is not an inspection.

I collect insects.

How?

Coleoptera. I'm looking for beetles.

I am a specialist in these sand bugs.

So you are not sent by the government?

By the government?

No way! I'm a teacher.

Professor?

I understand...

To justify himself, a man has need a lot of documents:

contracts, licenses, cards identity, driving licenses,

property titles, certificates, documents,

membership cards, statements, invoices, receipts,

temporary permits, powers of attorney, heir certificates.

Anything else? Are there others?

Did I forget any?

Men and women

they are so scared not to be deceived by others!

These documents serve as proof of their innocence.

Nobody knows when will this bureaucracy end.

It would seem like it would last forever.

You reproach me that I am too rational.

But the facts are the ones that speak!

Teacher...

What are you going to do now?

What am I going to do? I intend to come back tomorrow.

The last bus has left.

You are right.

There must be some place where to stay

In this village?

maybe not here but somewhere near the highway.

- Did you go for a walk? - I'm not in a hurry at all.

You didn't have to go that far.

if you want I will be interested in you.

It is a poor village, as you see, but if you don't mind...

To bother me? I am grateful to you.

I will rest well until tomorrow. And I would like to stay in someone's house.

Please!

Be careful. They are deep pits in both sides.

Hey!

what are you doing You have a guest!

The ladder is close to the bales.

is it ok

Don't worry! It's a comfortable house.

Then...

A rope ladder?

It's a country custom... little met.

A real adventure.

- Hold on to the rope! - Grab it hard!

Don't look up! Sand falls on you.

Please come here...

Please...

Thank you for your hospitality.

I will prepare the meal for you.

Great!

If possible, a bath first.

Yes, but...

- Don't bother, then. - I'm sorry. The day after tomorrow.

The day after tomorrow?

I'm afraid not.

- I'm only staying for three days. - I'm sorry.

Just a lamp?

I can handle it. I'll be ready soon.

It's unpleasant without electricity.

- Please eat. - Thank you.

Crustaceans and bream? Wonderful.

Local food is the tastiest.

- What is this? - For draining the sand.

Why?

Is the roof not watertight?

No, it's like the new ones thatched roofs.

Why?

It's worse than wood chippers.

Wood drills?

Yes. I drill holes in wood.

Do you mean termites?

Not! They are about that big, hard shelled.

- Could it be the saw beetle? - The saw beetle?

Is it a reddish one with long antennae?

No, bronze-colored... like a grain of rice.

A wooden drill, then?

Beams this big become soft and porous, so they rot.

- The drillers? - No, the sand.

- The sand? Why? - The humidity, I suppose.

Unlikely.

- The sand is dry, of course. - But it makes things rot.

Don't joke! Be realistic!

The sand is dry, turns into a desert.

I've never heard of a desert wet. Your?

Some tea, please...

But break down...

If sand remains in the clogs, they rot in half a month.

The wood rots and that's because of the sand.

The soil removed from the ceiling became fat enough to plant cucumbers.

Let's leave it at that. It has no importance.

- Do you want more? - No, thank you.

Thank you very much. It was delicious!

It's awful!

When the winds blow...

the sand grows with 80-100 cm in one night.

Do you see? Even the bedding is wet.

And the others?

- Your family? - I'm alone.

Last year, a storm swallowed them my husband and my child.

Did he swallow them?

The sand came like a waterfall.

The hens in the coop were in danger. He went out...

Was he buried?

It was a horrible wind.

This is awful.

Really awful.

It's the sand.

Do you do research work?

Yes.

Yes.

Have you ever seen an insect like this?

Cantharis. (N.T. Ash beetle).

Look at her!

My task here was to find this

There are several species.

Maybe my name will appear in a book about insects if they find a new species.

That's all I can do.

listen, I brought you the tools to help!

- There is someone here, after all. - That's good!

But he said "help", didn't he?

- He meant you. - To me? Why?

Please don't imagine who knows what.

Isn't that a mistake?

- Shall I turn on the lamp? - It's good that we have it, of course.

It's okay. I am used to work.

It's a bit dirty...

No...

- Do you want me to help you? - No, not from the first day.

First day? This again.

I'm only staying one night.

- Do you always work at night? - Yes.

The sand is wet and easier to collect.

- The straw man! - Okay, thank you!

Ready!

Let me help you...

Done!

Ready!

It's not too easy for them either.

In our village we have a principle very healthy.

What kind of principle?

Love for the place where you were born.

Indeed. It's splendid!

- Until when do you work? - Until morning.

Until morning?

The sand does not wait.

Ready!

How strange!

Oh!

What fun! The ladder is gone.

Madam...

Would you please wake up?

excuse me do you want to bring the ladder?

It's not there.

I would like to leave.

I only have three days at my disposal. I don't want to lose them sitting here.

One moment...

It was a rope ladder!

It cannot be hung from the bottom!

You worked together!

I'm sorry.

are you sorry What does this mean?

I asked you what you were up to?

I'm sorry.

That's not enough!

I got an assignment! Time is important to me!

- But you understand, don't you? - To understand?

What should I understand?

You know that...

This life is way too hard for a single woman.

What does this have to do with me?

The winds will begin to knock soon.

So is the danger a sandstorm.

- Am I your prisoner? - I'm very sorry.

Don't joke! I'm not a bitch!

I have a job! I am a registered citizen!

If someone turns on to look for me?

Seizure is a crime!

If I move too slowly

my house will be buried in the sand.

He only has!

Why are you bringing me into this?

- The back house will have problems. - Let her be buried!

How can you say that?

I don't understand why you must stay in this place.

You must be crazy!

Listen...

You don't have to do whatever the villagers say!

I can't agree with that.

If they are afraid of sand, to approach it scientifically!

they know that but it's cheaper this way.

Leave it! Call him here the one responsible for all this.

I'm going to explain to him what nonsense it all is!

Hurry up!

There is no way contact him?

For example hitting a can?

Say something!

I don't try the impossible!

I do not fight against the laws of nature!

It would be...

What is heard?

A bell...

Ding-dang...

What is heard?

It's the voice of a demon...

Ding-dang...

What is heard?

Are you awake sir?

How do you feel?

Not too bad.

I will wipe you with a wet cloth.

- Stop it! It hurts! - Does it hurt?

Yes!

Then a massage?

are you kidding Do you want to break my arm?

if you are so pretty get me a doctor!

Are the essentials still wet?

Do not wear anything in bed! It's the best.

Why?

- Sand causes hives. - Hives?

Sand attracts moisture.

Don't shout! Stay calm!

I'll go up with that.

We pulled ourselves together each other.

Now you got what you deserve.

People are not dogs.

You can't keep them tied up like dogs.

hey what happened

Come on, hurry up! We are waiting!

Pull it up! I won't let him go!

I tied her up! If you want help her, pull me up!

Not!

They haven't beaten me yet!

The battle has only just begun.

They will see!

You don't have to be scared.

Now I dictate the rules.

It's a good experience if I sit to think about her.

Maybe I'll write about her after i come back

It's sake.

Look, they gave us sake let's celebrate before.

A coup?

Nothing remains as it was.

- A cigarette? - No.

Smoking makes me thirsty.

- Water then? - Not yet.

Don't be shy...

I didn't do it out of malice.

does it hurt

We must be frugal. The ration comes once a week.

- The ration? - Yes.

Only where there is a man.

It is paid from the money the villagers' association.

tell me...

Where were they from? the men before me?

We need it very much by hand.

What kind of men?

Let's see...

The last one was a salesman of postcards.

A postcard seller?

Work for a company that produced illustrations for tourists.

And the others?

Yes, this year...

A student who came on a study trip.

Three houses behind. It's still there.

Has the rope ladder been taken?

Young people don't like to stay.

They are better paid in the city.

Cinemas and restaurants are they open all year there?

What a fool you are!

what is it does it hurt

You want to scratch me after the right ear?

So?

forgive me... Will you give me some water?

water please... Nice please!

That's all that's left. When is the next ration coming?

Reach! Not so much!

Quiet! You looked for it with the candle!

To untie you...

I want you to know that it's not out of sympathy.

It's just because I can't stand your whining anymore.

And with one condition.

Don't touch the shovel without my permission.!

do you promise me

Yes, I promise! I promise anything!

If I suffer, you suffer too.

So think carefully about what you are doing.

Where to?

Do something!

Can nothing be done?

I didn't collect the sand anymore for two nights.

Water! Ask for some water!

Aren't you thirsty?

I helped you. Why don't you want to cooperate?

You know...

- If we start working... - You're kidding!

By what right are they forcing me? to stay here?

It says: "The right man in the right place."

I am a teacher... Specialized in a certain field.

He could at least give it to me to do something I'm good at!

I could, for example...

to think of a way to to exploit the sand more efficiently.

In fact, the passion for sand brought me here!

I'm serious.

The seller of postcards

you must have come here for a similar reason.

For advertising. To put the bases of a tourist resort.

We have to make the sand work for you, not against you!

Only a resort it needs water...

This was just one of the ideas...

You could cultivate something specific in the sand...

Yes, those from the Youth League they managed to cultivate something...

For example tulips.

They said that the bulbs of tulips are very large.

Of course, it's not as much fun like in Tokyo.

- Maybe you saw... - Enough!

Stop acting like a monkey!

A monkey?

It will hurt you.

My mouth is on fire.

There is no point.

If this is followed,

the sand has only to bury cities, even the whole country.

You heard them talking

about a Romanian city called Sabrata?

Or the one described in The "Rubaiates" of Omar Khayam?

Both were completely buried under infinitesimal grains of sand.

You can't fight him!

There is no hope!

what are you doing

Not!

I'm going to make a ladder!

Don't do that!

Do you want me to clean the sand?

But...

Not all women from the city are they beautiful

What nonsense!

Allow me...

Damn it!

My blood will rot!

What a dirty trick!

What can I do?

Do something!

My blood will rot!

See...

If we start working...

Good! I surrender!

They won!

what is it sir

Water is coming! Water is coming!

Enough, now...

Keep your left hand down!

Try using your right hand, so you won't get tired so quickly.

I didn't sleep enough.

You can rest. You're still not used to it.

It's like my veins full of cement...

I would bet it is.

- At first you get tired. - Will I ever get used to this?

You will get used to it.

I don't know.

You don't get the impression that all this don't they make any sense?

Sweep the sand for a living or do you live to clean the sand?

Of course you're not having fun as much as in Tokyo.

I'm not talking about Tokyo!

How can you stay trapped in a trap like this?

But it's my house.

Then ask for your papers.

as for me it's only until I'm saved.

Saved?

Of course.

I don't stay locked in the house for a week! Someone is going to step up.

He will see the book open in my room...

something small on the desk...

He will ask himself questions.

But for you it's a problem for the whole life.

My family is buried here.

Here?

Yes... My husband and baby girl...

Then you...?

Will you leave if I let us go? I will help you!

You know how to determine them to go down a ladder.

I have nothing to do outside.

You could walk around around!

Walk around the neighborhood?

Yes! It's great to walk around free around!

You wouldn't just get more tired walking around?

Stop the joke!

Even dogs go crazy if you keep them tied all the time!

And we are people!

But if it weren't for the sand, nobody would care about me

Isn't that right?

Not even to you...

- Here's one... - What is it?

That's why I came here!

This is the ash beetle that I was talking to you about.

do you have scissors

Scissors?

I want to trim my beard.

I think I have one...

- It's not too sharp... - And on top of that it's rusty!

Because of the sand.

- This is not good. - No?

It doesn't cut at all.

We'll ask for a llama when they are coming to bring us supplies.

do you see The sand makes my beard spiky.

This sand ruins everything don't you think so?

- Hey, I'm here! - Good! Thank you!

Where is your "husband"?

Stomach ache. He probably caught a cold.

Did you love him too much?

Come on!

- A bathroom? Shall I help you? - No, I'm tired today.

- I would like one. - No, you are sick.

My body is sticky.

I think I sweated in bed.

I can heat some water...

- Okay, then. i help you - Let me take care of it.

- What are you thinking? - Nothing.

Let me take your picture. Stay there.

No, let...

Come on...

Now he's smiling.

- Do you want to go home? - Why?

- You could use a radio. - Radio?

- You would hear news from the world. - It's stupid!

You would know everything that happens in Tokyo, then.

That determined me to collect insects

Rather than lie here, I would prefer my name to appear

in an encyclopedia of entomology.

However, a radio would be a welcome change.

Very good.

Have you finished your sake?

- You're still sick. - It will help you sleep.

I feel quite sleepy and without that.

Don't say no!

I can't drink...

Come on... Today I feel the need to celebrate.

- Looks like it's boiling. - Come on.

you amaze me

Now drink it all...

Ah, that's good to finally take a bath!

You are cruel... Now that I'm so tired.

Help!

Someone help me!

Help!

Hold on to this!

Please... Get me out of here.

We can't get you out like a root.

We have to dig to get you out. Grab this plank!

Good job I did here.

There are quicksands everywhere.

Neither would the dogs get closer.

How many people have they fallen here yet?

Hikers don't know about them.

If I dig, maybe we would find something of value.

Two or three cameras.

Calm down!

I apologize.

Shall I make some tea?

- What time is it? - I don't know.

Around 8:30.

I failed...

A total failure.

Do you somehow...

a wife...

in Tokyo...?

It doesn't look at you.

That's right.

Anyway, it's a shame.

If I could,

I was sending you a radio.

- A radio? - You want to, don't you?

It's true. but anyway it is of no use to me.

I'm going to work and I'm going to buy one.

I failed...

Do you want me to wash you?

I didn't know the surroundings, that's why...

In the end they will come looking for me...

My friends, my fellow teachers,

Ministry of Education...

They won't let me die here.

Come on, let me wash you!

what is this

- My last hope. - Hope?

A trap for crows.

I leave a bait here.

When a crow grabs her, the sand will swallow it.

But crows are very smart.

Hunger makes them stupid.

And that's your hope?

It is.

I'm going to tie a letter to my leg them through which I will ask for help.

I'm not coming. Almost three months have passed.

Who?

Your saviors.

Maybe he thinks you ran away...

Should I run away?

Tired of your work.

No idea.

I left my checkbook.

I left my book open on the desk.

Anyone could tell. The whole room is screaming for help.

what's there

Where?

In Tokyo...

I just told you, go and see!

It's too much.

Hey! Your ration!

Wait! Wait!

Leave me up for a while!

30 minutes, once a day, to see the sea!

I promise I'm not running away!

20 minutes! Even 10!

I behaved well for three months! I feel like I'm going crazy!

We will discuss this and we will keep you updated!

Please! You can watch over me!

You work hard.

Another 10 yen and I get to one I win 1000 yen.

Nonsense!

I don't want to be like a dog! I'm going to crack here!

No radio. You'll be helpless soon.

What can you call your friends?

I know.

Each for himself.

Wag your tail like an obedient dog.

Soon we will have each other only each other.

You can not! We have the sand!

The sand? What's good about him?

It only causes us trouble.

- It's for sale. - Where?

At the factories in the city.

are you kidding It's illegal, it's salty!

In secret... at half price.

It's a total loss if it destroys dikes and buildings.

That's other people's business.

Yes, it's other people's business.

But this dirty business it enriches others.

Why help them?

The union buys it and sells it.

He takes care of us.

The sand is sifted.

It's like building a house on the water

instead of building ships.

What stupidity!

You will never leave from this house!

You want it very much to go back home, right?

That's something else.

I want at least

to keep my hope

that tomorrow will be different.

I like it a terrible fear

every morning when i go to sleep

I'm afraid I'll wake up alone again.

I'm really scared...

Hold on! Put them in it!

Are you working hard sir?

what is he doing here I'm not done yet.

You said you wanted to see the sea, right?

Yes. Please! do you allow me

We might be agree with that.

please I learned my lesson. Is an hour good?

Then prove it to us.

Outside, in front, both of us,

where we can all see you.

- That one? - Yes, "that".

That, with your old lady.

You know!

I asked the others.

They said "of course"! You just have to do it.

Hey, what's taking so long!

what are you doing Faster!

What do we do?

It's ridiculous.

But it's my chance...

Don't listen to them!

Listen, we don't have to seriously.

What? We are not perverts!

- Anyway, we are pigs! - No!

Come on! Just pretend!

Fool!

Fool! Fool! Fool!

what is this

What do we know...

Not a drop of rain for three weeks.

Capillarity?

That's it!

That's what it means that we have enough water.

The evaporation surface must act as a suction pump.

Sand is a pump.

It's like sitting on a pump.

Maybe I can think of more functional water storage systems.

It's awful. You can't even breathe.

We are entering December soon.

ok...

Again?

It is cold and food is hard to find. It's easier to catch a crow.

Truly, people are…

It's my turn to trap.

If we get the radio

we could find out what the weather is like.

I'm afraid.

I'll bury her until the water boils.

Until tomorrow...

Help!

Somebody come here!

No... no.

- What is it? - He's in pain.

She is pregnant.

Pregnant?

- Since when? - Since October.

- Does it hurt? - Yes.

- Are you sick? - Yes.

What will this be?

It could be an ectopic pregnancy.

How do you know?

Before the horseshoe for a vet.

Anyway, call a doctor!

It will be too late.

Today's doctors...

Bring a truck!

I come...

I'm afraid.

Has the wind died down?

Yes, he calmed down.

- How? - With everything and bedding.

Come on!

Put a plank underneath!

the radio.

the radio?

It's an inappropriate time.

Should I open it?

Do you want to take it yourself?

Put it to bed!

Do you have a board?

There, in the back.

Below... That.

- Good! One two three! - Up!

No... I don't want to go!

Listen...

It is...

what's up

Nothing... Another time.

I don't want...

Pull it up!

No...

No... No!

Bring her closer!

Slow. Don't rush...

I don't have to hurry to leave...

I can do it whenever I want.

Now I'm free to do as I want.

On the other hand,

Can't wait to tell someone about the pool of water.

I'd better tell the villagers.

If not today, maybe tomorrow.

I'm sure eventually I'll tell someone.

After that I can think to escape.

REPORT ABOUT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A PERSON

NAME: JUMPEl NIKI

BORN MARCH 7, 1927

MISSING FOR 7 YEARS

REPORTED AS MISSING

Translation: Dappon (alfiaro@yahoo.com)

THE END