Original subtitles

Presented by Kindai Eiga Kyokai & ATG

HEART

Produced by Kinshiro Kuzui & Kaneto Shindo

Based on the Novel by Soseki Natsume

Photographed by Kiyomi Kuroda

Music by Hikaru Hayashi

Art Director Ippo Nanbo

Edited by Mitsuo Kondo

Starring Nobuko Otowa

Anri

Noboru Matsuhashi

Kazunaka Tsuji

Taiji Tonoyama

Yasuo Arakawa Gaitomi Kotake

Written and Directed by Kaneto Shindo

If I'm free, I'll talk.

But I have to lose this freedom forever.

My past is my own experience.

So I can say it belongs to me alone.

People may say it's a pity that I die without telling it to anybody.

I agree, somehow.

But to give it to someone who won't take it,

I'd rather bring this experience with me to my grave.

If you never exist,

my past would remain my past.

And would never be the knowledge of others.

There are 100 million people in Japan.

I would only tell my past to you,

because you're serious with living.

Look at me closely.

There may be something for your reference.

Now I'd tear open my heart myself.

And splash its blood to your face.

When my heart stops beating,

if it'd find a new life in your heart,

I'd be glad.

I came here.

Here.

This place.

Excuse me.

Hello.

The agent in front of the school told me...

you have a room for rent.

Yes, but...

But?

- I have a room. - But what?

This house is old. You like it?

I like old places. Back home my place is old, too.

The agent says it's old. But that's to my taste.

Yes, I like it.

This is not a lodging house. I don't take in anyone.

- I have conditions. Just 2. - They are?

The rent's slightly higher.

Meals are included? This is a bit unusual.

How much?

I'll tell you later.

2nd condition. Are you a decent person?

Of course I am.

Her husband died in the war.

She lives with her daughter and takes lodgers for extra cash.

35,000 yen with meals is a bit expensive.

But it could regularize my eating habits.

Money's no problem with me.

A quiet place is my top priority.

There's still such a room in the heart of Tokyo.

She let me use two rooms upstairs, one bigger than the other.

The year I got into university,

my parents died of the same disease.

Stroke.

I'm the only son.

My uncle became my guardian.

After I came to Tokyo,

my uncle moved in with his family.

My first summer back home,

they were very nice to me.

My room back home is the same size as the one upstairs.

They left it unused for me.

That house belongs to you?

The next summer,

my uncle asked me to marry his daughter.

She wanted it too.

I refused.

She's my playmate since childhood.

She's too close. It lacks freshness.

She cried.

Uncle put up a very ugly face.

Your father must have left you a lot.

Some mountains. Quite a lot.

The next summer, Uncle treated me differently.

We no longer got along with each other.

I doubted his integrity,

I asked to check my inheritance.

He took some of my inheritance.

That's why he wanted the marriage.

In the end, I made a settlement.

I cut all ties to home.

I'm exhausted by this affair.

"Siblings are the first strangers."

Without money, there won't be troubles in the human world.

He was good before that thing.

A human being is good and bad, depending on the moment.

Anyone can be good. Anyone can be bad.

What did you do with your wealth?

A lawyer friend takes care of the mountains.

Sell the timber bit by bit. I could live on that.

I'm "eating" off the mountains.

Now I'm relieved.

What?

That you could pay the rent.

Haha.

- I'm home. - You're home.

My daughter, I-ko.

Here's K, our new lodger.

She attends design school to kill time.

EMPTINESS

- Some more rice? - No, thanks.

It's OK.

I'm full, I had a lot.

You don't eat much.

Madam, thanks for the flowers.

Was it bad? She did the arranging.

I used them in class.

Don't want to waste them.

Don't be so honest.

He wouldn't have known.

Working?

No!

What is it?

I made tea. Want some?

Yes!

Her needlework's great, yes?

Yes. Quick as a machine.

More precise than a machine.

My mother made all our clothes herself.

She taught me.

Now I can earn money with it.

Bye.

Please come down. I'm making tea.

Coming!

Now!

Western or Japanese?

Whatever.

Japanese then?

Whatever.

Western or Japanese?

Japanese.

You're so Japanese.

Not going to school today?

Today's teacher's boring. So I don't.

How about you?

If I want to.

Like me.

I can see Madam is hooking me up with her daughter.

The year my husband left maritime school, the navy took him.

Wives of navy sailors have interesting lives.

And busy ones.

Following the fleet as it goes here and there.

From Kure to Sashibo in Kyushu.

So the wives travelled by train...

from Kure to Sashibo, like an army.

Big trouble because we didn't book rooms in advance.

There were no rooms. We got irritated and shocked.

I went around Japan with one trunk in my hand.

Fond memories...

But it was hard when it's time to say goodbye.

For 2 or 3 days, night and day, we cling to each other.

Like a love without tomorrow.

I slept the whole time when travelling.

You... or people nowadays...

How would they deal with such cases?

I wonder what kind of person she is?

I had no idea.

Is she the type who thinks deeply?

Or those who never think?

But I know for sure she wants me to trust her.

Perhaps because I'm rich.

That reminds me. How could they support themselves?

Just the rent and the sewing?

Won't be a bad thing to keep a special relationship with me.

Fool! Who do you think you are?

Wealth plays such a big part in a person's life.

I'm going out. Here's the key to the front door.

I won't go out today.

Then watch the house for me.

It's her blind date.

Her blind date!

She laughed so loudly!

She can't laugh like that!

A blind date is a serious thing.

I tried so hard not to burst out laughing.

Made my belly ache.

The man was so tense. It got too serious.

- What's the matter? - Then what's next?

Refuse it?

We went just out of courtesy?

The other side is my husband's war buddy.

We went out of courtesy.

Isn't it too early to get married?

I got married at 19.

She's 20.

Once I get married, I can't sleep in?

Let me stay a bit longer.

I want to sleep in. Mom.

Which is more important?

I'll marry someone who let me sleep in.

You won't ever get married!

You will, soon.

- Really? - Yes, I-ko?

Hope you'll find a good one.

I'll find someone soon, yes?

Yes!

If no one wants me, will you take me?

Will you take her if no one wants her?

Well... I'd love to.

You're home.

I'd like a favour.

What is it?

Can my friend stay in the other room?

I refuse.

Why? You'll get paid for that.

The small room is vacant. Why not?

It's bad for you. So I refuse.

Why it's bad for me?

No is no.

He really is my friend. He's good.

We're friends from middle school on.

He's a priest's son.

He was raised in a doctor's family. He got into medical school.

But he hates to be a doctor. He transferred to my major.

They found out, and cut off his allowance.

So you tell him you'll take care of him?

- Yes. - Don't.

Why?

When friends get too close, the friendship will get sour.

Really? I don't think so.

Shouldn't friends help each other?

I told you when I rented you the room.

This is not a lodging house.

I take lodgers because I'm lonely.

And I respect you as a person.

I refuse to take one more.

He was arrested!...

No... he took too many jobs and got ill.

He needs a break!

He'll rest somewhere else.

He'll get a good rest here!

Please, no more.

Only you.

I will take him here!

Hey. This is my house.

I really have to help him. My reason is clear enough.

But your reason,"it's bad for you", is a very vague one.

Which is better? Mine, of course.

So he'll take the small room. Done.

You're an interesting person.

Kicked out from the doctor's home, he supported himself.

He's a man of action.

He plunged into the world he believed in.

The tension and fatigue affected his body and soul.

I wanted to give him money now and then.

But he's a proud person.

I didn't know how he'd react.

So I invited him to live with me.

"I have this extra room. Just take it" That's my plan.

I convinced Madam in the end.

I paid rent for 2 persons,

without letting him know.

- Are you there? - Yes.

You're done moving?

Just my bedding and desk.

Took them on my bike.

How's the room?

Good.

His temple belongs to an old sect, dating from the Tokugawa Era.

A big ginkgo tree in the garden.

Ginkgo nuts fall to the ground. So smelly!

In their sect, the first-born son is the heir.

The others get nothing.

He's good at reciting sutras.

Can you earn money with that?

These days some people just use a tape recorder.

It's the instant age.

I'm done.

Why did you tell them such stupid things?

- It's not stupid. - It is.

He was arrested for 10 days.

He seems to close up his heart after that.

Please talk to him if you can.

He sure could use some human warmth.

How about you? Nothing.

Nothing?

Things that show the friendship among men.

He's too much for himself.

Are you going home this summer?

There's no home for us to go.

I want to go somewhere with him.

How about Tateshina?

Tateshina, under the Yatsugatake Range? Yes!

A friend has a mountain hut.

They keep asking me to use it.

It's cool there.

You didn't go out?

I was sleeping. Here I can sleep all I want.

If you keep sleeping, then...

I'm leaving tomorrow.

Please take care of the rest.

Nice flower.

- What is that? - Bell flower.

- I win! - Here you are.

Wait!

Cigarettes.

Don't break the tofu.

He gets happier.

He's so simple. Like a child.

Today we can see the mountain clearly.

Tateshina Mountain, why are you here?

How tall is it?

Probably...

lower than Fujiyama.

2,500 m? It's 1,800 m here.

It could be climbed.

You talk big.

3 hours up. 2 hours down.

According to the pamphlet.

It's easy. Try it.

Yes! I'm going.

You're serious?

Yes!

TATESHINA MOUNTAIN ENTRANCE

You see him?

I should, but I can't.

You see him?

Strange. He should go up that cliff.

He should be there.

Perhaps he didn't go?

No. He's not that kind of person.

How was it?

How was it? You got to the top?

Did you give up?

Does it really matter?

Are you OK?

Hungry?

- You got to the top? - Yes.

- You gave up? - Yes.

Which one?

You didn't go to the top.

You took a nap, then came back.

Yes.

So you didn't go to the top.

- It doesn't matter. - It does!

He said he will, so he should.

- I'm leaving tomorrow. - Us too.

Stay, you two. Then climb it for real.

One must do something since we came to this world.

But, do what? I don't know.

I feel like standing stiff and alone in the mist.

Hoping for a ray of light.

I wait and wait. Not a ray of light.

All I can do is stand there.

I feel I'm put in a sack and can't get out.

If I have a drill,

I might be able to find a way out.

But no one will give me that drill.

I understand.

You don't.

Why?

You... have money.

My money isn't worth much.

Money doesn't mean much in a person's life.

No. It does.

Just two types of people. Rich or poor.

Sorry. Forgive me.

But coming here...

I found a needle, if not a drill.

When I went up, I kept sliding down.

I climbed and climbed. I slipped.

I grabbed something. If I didn't, I'd fall to the bottom.

No one to help me. I could only go up.

Only by myself.

Myself.

Hey!

What's wrong? You didn't have breakfast.

I'm my centre.

I'll live for myself.

I'm the drill.

- What happened in Tateshina? - Why?

He's changed. He got energetic.

The air perhaps? It works on him.

The water, too. Tateshina water is good.

- Where's he? - He was just here.

Oh? He's really changed.

I-ko was with him.

She loves to sleep. But she got up early.

What happened?

Are you there?

Yes.

You're early.

Yes.

Welcome home.

I-ko, I'd like some tea.

Yes.

Juice for me.

Yes. Let's see.

Yes.

- Coke? - OK.

Where's Madam?

She's out.

- Want something? - No.

Here you are.

Now he could laugh.

Yes.

In Tateshina, he didn't laugh. Not even once.

Funny.

Now he's like a human being.

She rarely laughs. Now she overdoes it.

I should tell him.

That I'm interested in her.

I should tell him.

But...

if I tell him that,

and she doesn't love me. Then what?

The shame... can you bear it?

Does she love him?

No. It won't be.

I'm sure she prefers me.

I'll find out her wish later.

Don't ask her now.

First, I'll assert my rights.

The faster one wins.

Are you there?

Yes. What is it?

- What? - I need to talk.

About?

Let's go out.

I love...

I-ko.

You told her?

No. I can't.

If I can, I won't suffer like this.

Haven't told her.

I feel safe.

I'm in a sack but I found a drill.

It's I-ko.

Does a woman have the power to solve your troubles?

Yes. It's hard to believe, but yes!

What's your plan?

Plan?

Marry her?

Marry her?

I haven't thought about it.

Marry her... I simply love her.

It's not like you.

You're always decisive.

You have an aim. Then you act resolutely.

Student movement. Life. Reality. All the same.

"Ambiguity is decadence."

Obsession with a woman too.

Yes.

I never thought a woman can make me so crazy.

She's my drill.

I feel I can get out with this drill.

I've always put myself on the reasoning of others.

I get lost because of that.

Knowledge is not my flesh and blood.

They're just flaunting their reasoning in my face!

I've found myself, It's I-ko!

From there I can take off.

You look pale. Are you ill?

Just a headache.

That's bad. It may be a cold.

It's hard to recover from summer colds.

I'll make you some medicine. Go to bed early tonight.

You also have a headache?

No. I just don't want to talk.

Thinking about difficult things?

I bought some nice cake.

You'll have it later.

- Coffee or tea? - Whatever.

- No! Say which one. - Tea.

Me too.

He was hesitating between love and reality.

I was waiting for the chance to give him the defeating blow.

What should I do?

Marry her if you love her.

Impossible!

I'm graduating next year.

But I don't plan to work.

I'll stay at school, if I can't...

I'd join my seniors' group.

I can't have a family.

If she really loves you, she won't mind being poor?

No. It'd be too hard on her. I won't let her.

Then give her up.

Bury your pure love...

so that it remains pure for eternity.

Love should be pure.

I can't.

I believe humans are imperfect.

And full of flaws. That's why they're humans.

If it can be buried, then is it love?

How can I, so imperfect, sacrifice myself for a love beyond eternity!

So you aren't a strong person?

If the time comes, I'm fully resolved.

Resolved?

For what?

If the time comes, I'm fully resolved.

What?

Asleep?

Anything?

No.

What is it?

Toilet.

Hey!

Yes?

What is it?

The morning lessons?

I won't go.

Why?

I'm not well.

- What? - A cold perhaps.

- You're OK? - I'm OK.

Your bronchi are bad. Need a doctor?

- No. - Really?

- Yes. - Bye then.

Actually I'm not ill.

I'm just faking it.

You don't look well.

I was just then. I'm OK now.

Go back to sleep.

I'm getting up. I'm hungry. Can't sleep.

A convenient sickness.

Like you're faking it.

- You have appetite. - Yes.

S was so worried.

I wasn't well at that moment.

- Where's I-ko? - Long gone.

She works hard these days.

Did he... say anything recently?

Anything?

He said the meals are nice here.

Some more rice?

No, thanks. I'm done.

Madam!

What?

- Emm... - What?

Madam!

I want to marry your daughter!

Please! Please!!

Please let her be my wife!

Why all of a sudden?

I want her... suddenly.

You did think about it?

Yes! Very thoroughly!

For a long time.

OK. Please take her.

I may?

I know "Please take her" sounds so proud.

But I'm so glad that you'd take her.

How about her?

She lets me decide who to marry.

- Going out for a walk. - Yes.

- Feeling well? - Yes.

You look pale.

No.

I wish a second me could kneel and ask him for forgiveness.

Yes.

- Where's I-ko? - She's home.

She's in her room. Anything you want?

No! She always eats with us.

I-ko! Come when you're done.

Not right now. I will when I'm done.

Nothing really.

I'm done.

The bath's ready.

Yes.

You go first.

Later.

I've always gone first.

I want to finish this book first.

OK. So I go first.

Towel.

Here.

- The water may be too hot. - OK.

Tell me if it is.

OK.

Soap.

Here.

- I'm done. - OK.

- Go. - OK.

My heart was not at peace.

My new relationship with this family...

he must know about it.

Are you there?

Yes.

You're quick.

I didn't go.

Are you ill?

No.

Then it's fine.

Did you tell him?

Not yet.

Why?

I find it hard.

No wonder he seemed surprised.

I told him yesterday.

Yesterday!

You're bad too.

You're such good friends,

you kept silent, pretending there's nothing.

What did he say?

Congratulations.

He's happy for us.

When's the wedding?

This year. A private wedding.

I want to give you a present...

But I have no money. So I can't.

Yesterday?

Yes.

What is it?

You're ill?

No.

That's fine.

Hey.

Hey.

Yes.

Still awake?

Yes.

I want to talk.

I'm writing something.

OK then.

Tomorrow then?

Hey.

Hey!

Thanks for your care.

Sorry I left without telling you.

I'm weak after all.

I didn't find the drill.

In a billion years of human history,

21 years or 80 years...

is just a flash.

No regrets.

I'm going first.

I didn't reach the top of Tateshina Mountain.

I gave up just a little bit before the top.

I slipped many times.

I tried the hardest I could, still I failed.

That's it. I'll make it next time.

But now I can't.

I was happy in this family.

Allow me to pray for your happiness.

I was relieved he wrote nothing about I-ko.

I didn't feel like crying.

I was just scared.

Madam.

Madam.

Madam!

Yes. What is it?

May I come in?

Yes.

Madam...

Don't be scared.

He killed himself.

Leave it alone! Don't move it!

Open the window.

Send his father a telegram.

The phone's faster.

No. Telegram's better.

Just to inform him.

He's a bad son.

Just died without saying anything.

Thanks for your care.

Feeling well?

I tried the hardest I could, still I failed.

That's it. I'll make it next time.

But now I can't.

Supper's ready.

We got married at the end of that summer.

Madam rushed us into it.

We went to Tateshina for our honeymoon. That's her wish.

We rented the same hut.

Don't stare at me like that.

Hey.

What did you...

give him here?

I'm happy.

I'll forget about him.

Nothing happened.

If you mind that, you can't even walk.

You'll step on ants when you walk.

Instead of forgetting...

his shadow kept growing in my heart.

To brush it aside I immersed myself in books.

But his shadow wouldn't go away.

My money is a curse to my life.

I drank heavily to forget myself.

It's useless.

It ate away my soul.

Then Madam caught her final illness.

I looked after her wholeheartedly.

For Madam. For my wife.

Also for all human beings.

For all human beings...

I pulverized myself as an offering.

Madam, no, my mother-in-law...

died peacefully.

In her last moments,

I thought she'd tell me something.

She didn't.

She was always standing right behind me.

She could see right through me,

but she said nothing.

She died, keeping all to her heart.

Before the end, she said just one sentence.

Be happy.

What are you hiding from me?

I betrayed someone.

I killed someone.

THE END