Original subtitles

Tanabe Benkei Film Festival 10th Anniversary Film Project

Poetry Angel

Get back to work.

Good morning.

Morning.

Enough?

Thanks.

By the way.

That boy, what's his name? Your old pal.

I can't remember his name.

What was it?

Oyamada?

Yes, young Oyamada.

He got a job in Tokyo.

With a computer company apparently.

Wow! That is so cool!

No, don't!

My right hand is a weed-whacker

And that weed-whacker attracts the women

But when 1 hug them tight they get badly hurt

Hey, Tsutomu!

Long time no see.

Good to see you.

Hello there.

Hello. Are you well?

I'm back till I start my new job.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

Go for a drink?

Sure. Let's do it.

So where in Tokyo will you be working?

Uptown, in Azabu-juban.

Azabu? Where's that?

It's near to central Roppongi.

What sort of company?

Web design, development and digital marketing.

The IT-cloud thing. It's a major paradigm shift.

What about you?

Nothing's changed.

Stay longer.

No, I've got an induction course.

Oh, right.

I've got a girlfriend. What about you?

1 only ever meet old folks.

Isn't she cute?

Don't do that.

You know her?

Schoolgirls shouldn't be out at this hour!

Good evening.

Heading home? Let me escort you.

Don't ignore me.

She's crazy.

Why me?

What happened to you?

You're writing a novel, aren't you?

To win some award, you said.

I'm working on it.

Good morning.

Keep your neck still.

That's it. Good punch.

Good. Once more.

Okay, same routine.

Then take the shot. Good.

Exactly. You've got it right.

That's it.

Then strike.

"I was given a project to research.”

"My teacher gave me a week to finish."

Continue reading.

"But I couldn't find the information I needed.”

'I made several trips to the library."

Okay, next.

Next.

"Finally, I managed to find a relevant article”

Hi there, Maruyama.

You should try harder to fit in.

Mom, I made the list!

Well done, son.

Most people have no talent, they never win anything.

Let's go.

You want cheeseburgers tonight?

How about sushi?

Not sushi again?

Miss My Hometown

Do you have time to spare?

We could be together.

I'm in trouble. I need help.

Poetry Boxing Explanatory Meeting

Poetry Boxing Explanatory Meeting Poetry...

Poetry Boxing Explanatory Meeting

Boxing?

Please, join the meeting.

You said it was a date.

-Inside. -But you said...

You promised.

What's this?

Hey.

Did you read this?

We're supposed to, right? Did you?

Not yet, no.

Did she drag you in here, too?

You're just the type to fall for her scam.

Are those natural curls?

Are they real?

-Are they? Just be quiet.

As [ press on, behind me a path appears

Nature, my father

You who made me walk alone My boundless father

Do not turn away Keep watch over me

Fill me always with your strength

For the long journey ahead

For the long journey that awaits me

I'm Shuntaro Hayashi. How do you do.

Now a Poetry Star.

From Miyazaki, in southern Japan, to Hokkaido in the far north.

He traveled all the way here.

A contestant who writes poems from the heart.

She writes poems to gain attention.

She's a 21 year old university student.

On Christmas day last year 1 got a phone call

It was like a present from Santa Claus

As I hit the ground, my body moved fast and I ran 30 km

It's my girlfriend.

Time to get going.

I'll leave it to you.

What's his problem?

Any questions?

You with the glasses.

Does Poetry Boxing have rules?

A very good question. Isn't it?

Many here probably don't know.

The rules to Poetry Boxing...

It starts off with blue and a red corners.

The audience, or the judges, decide the winner.

The audience raises red or blue cards and the majority Is the winner.

What do you say?

Did it get you all excited?

Okay, so who wants to sign up?

Stay in your seats if you do.

Those wishing to enroll in the course, stay behind.

Are you sure?

Take care.

Thank you.

You can keep It.

Don't want it?

Be careful

A good number.

No path lies before me

As [ press on, behind me appears a path

Nature

My father

Where were you today?

Nowhere.

My hand Is a weed-whacker, and my strength

Held high, it attracts a vast audience

A fantastic poem! You're so cool.

No, don't!

Welcome to our Poetry Boxing class.

I'm Koji Doi, a rapper.

You're the rapper with that yo-yo thing?

Is that you?

A fusion of rap and poetry.

Respect, you are totally solid.

Keepin' it real.

You keep it real, man.

My name is Chieko Itaya.

I'm here to make friends. 1 don't have many friends.

Hey, listen up.

We're your friends now. We're tight.

Right?

My name is Jinjiro Nakajima.

I'm a pensioner, with lots of free time.

In my post-retirement years, I enjoy writing poetry.

Our elders are living treasures. 1 wish you 500 years!

Keep on going.

I'm Tamaki.

1 work as...

I'm training myself to become a novelist.

A novelist? That's brilliant!

You'll win every Japanese literary award.

Maybe even a Nobel Prize. Well done!

Isn't he terrific?

Novelist, eh? Is that right?

You're all fantastic, you really are.

Let me hear you shout from the depths of your soul.

When you recite your work, live the poem.

Don't be bashful Don't be shy.

Keep going.

Okay, you've reached your limit.

Yes! Become the dog.

Come forward.

Primal Shouting

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

Faster.

Acting training

Acting training Then the glass says.

Acting training

Acting training Do you really care?

Once they drink, it's all over.

A number of crop-stealing cases have occurred over the past week.

This is horrible news.

What a terrible country it's become.

They've never had a job, never worked.

Leave him alone for once.

He's disturbing the neighbors.

We're surrounded by fields!

Illusion is the root of all poetry.

Not the reality we face in daily life.

An expression of illusion and delusion.

Is that clear?

Then let's try it.

Okay, Tamaki. You go first.

Illusion, okay? Create an illusion.

My hand Is a weed-whacker, my strength

Held high, it attracts a vast audience

Any girl watching Is in love She approaches, 1 hold her tight

My weed-whacker cuts deep into her body

Splendid! I didn't expect such a depth of talent.

Our very own Edward Scissor-Hands!

Hey, Hayashi!

Come on, what's that you're writing?

It's the schedule for a team competition.

We're having a team competition?

Yes, a contest.

Did you know about this?

No, I've heard nothing.

No one told us.

Didn't I mention it?

Who's the competition?

The very prestigious Haruyama West High School.

Competing against schoolkids?

Get real! We're all past puberty.

They don't even have pubic hair.

1 think they do.

So many fresh, young, schoolgirls to look forward to.

You go do it yourself.

1 guess I'll just have to cancel the gig.

Let's do it!

No, I meant...

It's better to compete.

To gain some experience.

Doi is running late.

He wasn't keen in the first place.

But I hope he turns up.

Are you nervous?

No, not at all.

The best antidote to nervousness is salty plums.

They produce saliva and relax the parasympathetic nerve.

No, I'm okay.

Look, here's Doi.

Doi, over here!

He looks eager enough.

Hello there. Thanks for coming today.

Our pleasure.

Will you box poetic, too?

No, I'm here to supervise them.

Really? Must be a tough job.

And thank City Hall for sponsoring this project.

To publicize our city.

A tuxedo? How very fetching.

Not at all

He's ribbing me, right?

No, it's a compliment.

We call these girls our Poetry Angels.

Wow, check them out.

No pubes there.

Haruyama West High: Angels”

“The Poemers” Poetry Squad

The Judges

Just do what we always do.

Are you "The Pretender?"

So you'll perform, too?

Yes, it's 5 to a team.

Who gave us the nicknames?

I came up with them.

It'll help us win.

Poemers is our team name?

Yes, to dazzle our young opponents.

That is so lame.

Hey, Hayashi. I'm taking to you.

Shout From Your Souls!

Shout From Your Souls! And now it's the Angels versus the Poemers.

Starting with Hayashi the Pretender.

Watch and learn.

Good luck.

Seriously?

My Dream

I want delicious food every day And to go to university

Is that all?

No, a husband and two beautiful children to take to Disneyland

Disneysea, too! And spaghetti carbonara

With lots of salad and green perilla dressing

There's more?

Yes, because my dreams have no end

Time for our judges to pick a winner.

Miss Fujimori, it's unanimous.

Congratulations.

I'm so sorry.

So terribly sorry.

Hayashi, come back.

Sorry, a bathroom break.

Peter Piper prodigiously picked a peck of pickled peppers

So how many peppers did our pal Piper pick?

1 ain't finished yet!

Give me that microphone.

That's a non-original work, you're disqualified.

It's all over!

Angels win by default.

What the hell was that?

Back to your seat, please.

I need a friend

That's all.

My opponent attacks

He has me pinned down

He's as heavy as a rhinoceros

You'll have to piggy-back me away from here

Carry me on your back from now on

Miss Yasuoka wins.

A summer weed asks a morning glory to play together

No way” Replies the morning glory

"Cant you two just get along?” asks the sun

Two senior citizens sitting listening to them

As they think about their grandchildren

The sun shines down on the morning glory and summer weeds

An old wife and husband it on an old porch

Subtly distant, such a beautiful scene

1 wonder what they will bring us tomorrow?

1 strongly urge you

Watch me on rainy days and when the sun sets red

Hide yourself in the shadows behind me

For I will continue talking until the very end

Your votes, please.

Jinjiro wins.

My hand Is a weed-whacker, my strength

Held high, it attracts a vast audience

Any girl watching Is in love She approaches, 1 hold her tight

My weed-whacker cuts deep into her body

It was my decision to make

To create my own colorful story

1 decide when it starts And when it ends

And I decide whether to believe it or not

I'm the one growing into adulthood

Miss Matsushima wins.

With a score of 401 the Angels are the winners.

We did it!

Hey, Hayashi!

Why the hell did you run away?

Have you been crying?

Damn it!

I was pitiful

I'm supposed to be your coach.

I cant take it.

Is everything okay with you?

I'm fine.

We'll win next time.

Maruyama. You're up.

Okay, come out boxing.

Okay, stop.

Go to a neutral corner.

Stop there.

Are you okay?

See what you can do when you try?

Not much of an opponent, though.

Concentrate and keep working on your technique.

From below.

That's it.

Why didn't you do that with her?

Don't let yourself get distracted.

Good morning, Maruyama.

I hear you've taken up boxing.

Me, too. Poetry Boxing.

Come, it's a good chance for you to change.

Come and watch a session.

We meet Mondays, Thursdays and Friday afternoons.

Leave me alone.

Where's Tsutomu?

Leave him be.

What's going on?

I'm taking a nap.

I heard about your poetry contest.

It was embarrassing.

Wake up, eat breakfast, cut weeds.

Then sleep, eat, cut weeds and sleep again.

Is that a future?

Cut weeds, grow plums, put them in brine the dry them in the sun.

One step at a time.

And I hate it!

That's your job.

What about my dreams?

Are there dreams in poetry?

What a great life.

Will Tamaki be okay?

1 think he's just in shock.

1 worry about Tamaki, he seems so fragile.

Tamaki is so...

I'm sick of hearing you repeat his name.

-You're in love! -I'm not.

Shall we start without him?

Shall we?

Why do you think we lost?

Great poetry flies out of the ring.

We need more desperation.

Your poems all lacked any emotional appeal

Not enough passion.

Poetry is an extension of our daily lives.

You should talk.

Pretending to be another!

Let's do it!

Hey, Tamaki.

You gave me a fright.

Your mom said I could come up.

We've come up with a new training routine.

We observe someone's daily activities.

Then assume that persona when writing our poetry.

Listen.

I picked you to train with.

So I'm here to observe you.

It's my day off. 1 usually just sleep.

Then let me watch you sleep.

I'm Jinjiro Nakajima.

1 do Poetry Boxing with your son.

Oh, thank you.

As part of my training, I'm here to observe him.

Observe his daily life?

But he does nothing.

Finish off that patch today.

Have you made salty plums?

No, I have an orange orchard.

Is that right?

The field you saw earlier.

I made him plant plum there. Then left them for him to tend.

I thought if he raised them himself, he'd change and start to love them.

They smell great.

Then we sort them.

Separate into good and bad.

You have so many curing here.

This is our family treasure.

Jinjiro.

I'll take my break.

So what now, Millennial?

Your dad's given you a month to make your choice.

Between the orchard, or your poetry.

1 trust you'll get it right.

Which one's right?

You talked to my dad?

Is that a problem?

Not really.

He did say something.

Salty plums made in the traditional fashion never go bad.

He doesn't want you to go bad.

That's not even funny.

You should come around to my place.

You're obviously uncomfortable here at home.

See you.

Morning glory and summer weeds fill the garden

-The sun shines down... Hello.

It's Tamaki.

You actually came. Good.

1 was just working on my poem.

My wife, Tsune.

Hello, I'm Tamaki.

Thank you for befriending the elderly.

No, it's my pleasure.

Her vision is not what it was.

So what we do is sit here like this.

And I describe what I see to her.

Well?

Well what?

Will you recite your poem for us?

Actually, I quite like your poem.

My weed-whacker cuts deep into her body

Sorry. You probably don't get it.

Jinjiro's Dally Life: My eyes as a digital camera

Training to Become

Training to Become Doi observed my daily routine.

A glimpse into Hayashi's daily life

He works at City Hall Citizens come to complain

Why are you wasting our taxes?

Tax? Your tax?

Tax, tax, lax Racks of taxes stacked

Complaints as strong as steel Rain down on him

Hayashi means forest But don't cut this tree!

Don't cut them down

Don't cut him down

Show love for the forest

He's not really a rapper

He works as a waiter at a girlie-club

Girls, customer at table 4

Today, yet again

We hear his feeble voice

Mic in hand Seating customers

That's his only performance

A girlie-bar? You're not a rapper?

He dwells in the plum orchard

Trees choked by early summer weeds

And the weeds themselves begging for a trim

But this lad says he hates trimming weeds

I'm so creative, he says I deserve more attention

The weeds doubt he can write at all

Shut up, or I cut you!” He responds

Taking up his tool He begins to cut

And all the weeds are gone

Leaving a lush field of green

1 see a prosperous future growing on the plum trees

My eyes are like a digital camera

1 capture my garden with my digital camera

Sorry. That's all I've got.

Tamaki, don't look so blue.

Come on, you were doing well

Don't sweat it.

What about you, Hayashi?

You monitored Itaya, right?

Are you always like that?

Sometimes.

Thank you.

That's it? No poem?

That marks the end of this training exercise.

Now you're naked, no fakery or lies. Your poems will soar.

That is poetry!

Will you let pubic-hairless little girls beat you?

We shall take revenge on Haruyama West High!

Jinjiro!

Are you okay?

Dad, quick!

Jinjiro's hurt. Hurry!

What happened?

Dad! Quick!

Honjo Memorial Hospital

He twisted his back carrying plums.

He just needs bed rest.

That's not the problem.

Why did you make him work?

You put him in hospital Now he can't compete.

He's the anchor of our team.

You always screw up everything I try to do.

I'm so sorry.

No need to apologize.

Does it hurt? Don't move.

Listen.

1 asked him to put me to work.

Don't blame it on your father.

So he won't be fit for the next match?

Listen Hayashi. That means we're one short.

It's my fault. I'm sorry.

You're not to blame, Tamaki.

Come on Tamaki, cheer up.

The thing about you, Tamaki...

1 get sick of hearing you always yelling his name.

You're in love! That's sick!

You're wrong,

Admit it.

What are you saying?

All I'm doing is encouraging him.

You just keep repeating his name.

At least 2,000 times.

-Only 5 times. -Who's counting?

Our granddaughter, An.

She rarely smiles, she's not talkative, but don't hold It against her.

No, that's fine.

What brings you here today?

My weed-whacker cuts deep into her body

He's so funny, isn't he?

Sorry, Tsune. I'd better head back

You're leaving already?

My weed-whacker cuts deep into her body

Please seize my weed-whacker from me

God, please seize the weeds from me

I'm still boxing.

And I go running every day.

Really? That's very good.

And school...

I really like school

That's wonderful, dear.

I left my bicycle key behind.

What were you doing over there?

So you run every day?

Why did you lie about enjoying school?

Leave me alone.

That sulky face tells everyone just exactly how you feel

Don't walk away.

I'm...

I'm sorry.

Do me a favor.

Can we think of anyone?

One guy said he'd come if we pay him.

Of course we won't pay.

1 found a new member.

Seriously?

1 knew you could do it, Tamaki.

It's Jinjiro's grandchild.

Jinjiro has grandchildren?

At his age, it's not unrealistic.

Come in.

She's our very own poetry angel

1 hold her tight

My weed-whacker cuts deep into her body

Take my weed-whacker from me!

My Grandma...

My Grandma is always smiling

The next match is tomorrow.

Are you nervous?

Eat salty plums if you're nervous.

They produce saliva and ease the parasympathetic nerve.

You should try them.

Don't worry. I'm more worried than you.

No, not her!

What's wrong?

We've been robbed. They took our treasure.

Dad.

Is there something...

Anything I can do?

You've got a match on today.

Get in the truck.

Dad., it's not the time...

1 turn 22 this year.

-I've decided. -Poetry.

Do you love poetry?

1 do.

I see.

What a wonderful life.

Sorry.

Only adults can show them true childishness.

Let's show them today.

We have our own poetry angel!

Don't embarrass me.

No, not you. Get real

He means her.

Apologize.

Apologize to us all.

Are you nervous?

No, but we're on soon, 50 be serious.

Let's do it.

Hello there.

Mr Hayashi, good luck today.

Thank you.

Shouts from the Soul!

Angels vs. The Super Poemers

It's not very good naming, is it?

It's so uncool, it's cool.

The Angels will face off against the Super Poemers.

He's gotta be good-lookin'

Is that all?

No, he must be at least 180 cm tall

Is that all?

No, he must be hairy, fashionable and not a braggart

And hell grab a cab when I'm in heels

He loves cooking, washing and never forgets an anniversary

On our 39th anniversary, he'll thank me for everything

And then...

He'll read me love letters while shedding tears of joy

There's more?

Yes, 17 years ago, the big-bang

!/ was born Along with all my desires

Why are you wasting our taxes?

Complaints from the citizens

1 don't spend your taxes

Listen up good!

I don't make the town You, the citizens, do!

And that dog there, too

That cat! You, too

And that lion over there

There aren't any lions here

Why did you waste our taxes?

1 didn't Don't blame me

This town Is our town

Don't use me as an outlet for your anger

I'm Shuntaro Hayashi!

Pleased to meet you

Now for the judge's decision.

Hayashi's Public Complaints wins.

As a mixed-race Japanese, where do I belong?

My boss was drinking when he said to me

If you want to do something in Tokyo, go for it

1 said I wanted to be a rapper in Tokyo

1 was lying

At the girlie-bar, where I'm a waiter

We charge 5,000 yen an hour, 8,000 for two

Depressed economy, going bankrupt

Society's crashing Drown your sorrows in drink

But schoolkids can't drink, can you?

The bubble burst, the economy flat-lined, 10 years down the drain

Deflation, inflation, stagflation government intervention

Can bureaucracy solve this?

Olympics 2020, firms investing demanding, expanding, externalizing

But it's we who build our own futures

Defecate!

Rui Costa Junko is the winner!

She's really annoying Let's treat her like a decaying log

What did you call me?

Decaying log means rotten tree

What? You're saying I'm a rotten tree?

I'm not rotting

He's pinned me down As heavy as a rhino

No! Don't make me rot anymore!

Please don't make me rot

I'm a butterfly yet to emerge from its pupa

I'm dreaming in a chrysalis

1 want you to see my hidden side

To understand my true feelings

I'm no plain, plain, plainJane

I'm not a plain-Jane No one in the world is that plain

No one!

In fact..

I'm quite showy

My true heart is...

My true heart is flashy

Cutie Itaya wins.

No way! Really?

Thank you.

Miss Hayashibara.

1 love school

Love my classmates

1 speak to them all

We eat together We play together

When ! speak, it makes some happy

Or sad and angry

Do my words make you happy? Or do they hurt you?

I'm never sure

But you are either positive, or you're negative

Accept that reality and keep going

Poems, comics, music

Bicycles, airplanes and even the people

There's nothing in the world that can't bring pain

Magnificent. Go sit down.

Next, Angel Maruyama.

Look, can you do me a favor?

As for me...

1 stutter

Long ago, they all laughed at me

Since then, I rarely ever speak

But today...

1 will do my best to speak

But really...

What I really want

Is to talk with

To talk with everyone

To sit and talk

Together at lunchtime

And walk home together

With my classmates

All of us together

Sharing a laugh

But from now on

Tl make the effort

So please be my friend

That was very moving.

Miss Hayashibara, over here.

Judges, make your decision.

A TV streams war footage

The warplanes seem like SFX Explosions!

We mustn't kill family, friends, neighbors Nor our fellow-countrymen

We've evolved, developed We don't kill our own

So it should be

When I'm the age my grandfather is now

1 will tell my grandchildren what it was like

Tell them what I've seen

On August 15, the day Japan surrendered The day I was born

We're counting on you.

Go out and enjoy yourself.

Good luck.

Thank you.

Tamaki, the plum orchardist.

My left hand is a weed-whacker

Wow, 50 sour! My right hand, a plum tree

Left hand for weeds Right for plums

1 make sally plums, plum liquor and plum vinegar

But no one appreciates me

It's all my hands' fault

1 despise my plums!

Take my weed-whacker from me!

God, deliver me from these plums

This morning

Thieves stole our entire crop

I've never seen the barn so empty

My dad was there

His face as empty as the barn

There was nothing I could do

No more weed-whacker No more plums

1 have nothing left

And I hate it!

Hate hate hate hate

Dad, 1!I work harder! Give me my weed-whacker back

God, please return our stolen plums

1 cut the weeds

Stack boxes of plums

Dry them in the scorching sun

Cutting weed's Raising plums

Soak them in brine, Dry in the sun - and repeat

The plum begins to bloom

50 sweet, so sour

Those glistening plums, Our only treasure

A common life A boring life

That is my greatest treasure

That is my true treasure

To break the tie, judges please vote.

The winner is Plum Orchardist Tamaki!

And the Super Poemers win the battle.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Amane Okayama

Rena Takeda

Shingo Tsurumi Jun Miho

Kento Yamazaki

Atomu Shimojo

Written, Directed & Edited by Toshimitsu Iizuka

English Subtitles by Stuart ] Walton (Sprout)