"A Shochiku Production 1941" "INTROSPECTION TOWER" "Based on the novel by Ryuji Kumano and Yoshio Toyoshima" "Cinematography by Suketaro Inokai Music by Senji Ito" "Production Design by Minoru Esaka Recording by Takenori Mori" "Cast" "Shinyo Nara as Director" "Chishu Ryu as Mr. Kusama" "Kuniko Miyake as Ms. Natsumura" "Kimiyo Otsuka as Mrs. Kusama" "Jun Yokoyama as Yoshio/Zen" "Ryo Ofuji as Nobuichi" "Norio Otsuka as Masao" "Teruo Furuya as Koji" "Yuiko Nomura as Tamiko" "Keiko Izumi as Naoko" "Takashi Ogata as Okamoto" "Takeshi Sakamoto as Tamiko's father" "Troubled children are sent here for rehabilitation." "For example, they steal, wander, lie... torch, use violence, etc." "It can house up to 204 children." "About 300 people, including staff, now live here." "Built a small village in this broad area." "In other words, it serves as a society." "A trio of home, school and society, so to speak." "There are 16 homes now." "Each home is managed by a pair of a teacher and a female childminder." "In principle, they are a married couple." "The girls only home is managed by a female teacher." "Kids call them their "mother."" "Children are to wake up at 5 a. m. , depending on season, when those "Father's Bell" and "Mother-Child's Bell" toll." "The immediately put away their futon." "Those wetting the bed, dry it." "Troubled children often wet their futon." "Last year, the number of bedwetting reached 2,315." "It's beyond our control." "They take turns to cook for themselves." "Actually, they can cook much better than a young bride." "Each home does exercises to keep themselves fit." "They are to sweep through the place very carefully." "That's because they have a poor hy giene sence." "Then, the gather in front of each home's altar, which honors spirits of their ancestors." "After meal, they gather at the main auditorium to kneel before the portrait of Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress." ""We were given birth by the power and blessing of the universe." "Our bodies are composed of our parents'affection and suffering." "Folded in the hands of an eternal guardian, and with pride and duty, we grow up each day." "Foster welfare and pure mind to do good for our houses and country. "" "And the classes start." "There are some groups depending on their levels." "So, a 15-year-old boy may study with 3rd-graders." "Some say they have a headache during an arithmetic class." "Study 4 hours in the morning..." "Hello." "Do practical work after meal." "Welcome." "We also grow crops here." "Not enough to support ourselves, but enough to enjoy at each home." "Seasonal veggies and etc." "Pumpkins are especially good." "Carpentry workshop." "They make things like tables, bookcases and cupboards." "Some visitors place orders, too." "They start with sewing bags and move on to uniforms, suits, and dresses." "Some even make morning dresses." "Orders come from many customers." "In fact, my suit was made here." "Each child can choose what they want to try so that they can find work later." "Notice there are no walls or fences surrounding this institution?" "This gate has never been shut." "That is to give free rein to the children, and make them feel at ease as much as we can." "Got a general idea of this institution?" ""Tamiko Sakata"" "Her reason... moderate." "Sensory functions..." "Hearing..." "4 for right, 6 for left..." "Memory... 7." "We have a newcomer." "I see." "Seems to be a wild one." "I saw many machines." "It's like science fair." "Really." "This place seems fun." "Yeah?" "You must listen to your teachers." "I've been bad, dad?" "Yup." "A little too much." "But you were too busy with your work." "I was so bored." "Spent too much." "Really?" "Shouldn't have opened your purse." "That was bad." "That was really bad." "But you don't give me enough." "Thank you for waiting." "She'll take care of your daughter Tamiko." "Ms. Natsumura." "This is..." "I'm Sakata." "This is..." "Tamiko." "Beg your kindness." "I'll do my best." "Take her home." "Yes, sir." "Follow me." "No need to see me off." "Go back to your work, dad." "Thank you in advance." "She's always like that." "B y the way..." "She's now out of your hands." "But you shouldn't think it's a good riddance." "I know." "I know you're busy." "But visit her often." "And write to her a lot." "Obviously." "Please do." "That's the best for her." "Better than anything else." "And you have to do that for her because she has no mother." "Understand?" "Yes." "Welcome home." "Come now." "Welcome." "Hello." "Mother !" "Michi took my blouse !" "I want it back !" "Michi !" "Why wear hers?" "Where's yours?" "Still wet." "Because you didn't wring it well." "It's not your blouse." "Take it off and give it back." "Give it back." "Wash it first !" "Still clean, isn't it?" "Bear with it, Nao." "No !" "She never uses soap when she takes a bath !" "I'll wash it !" "This is your home now, Tamiko." "There are 12 girls." "They are your sisters." "That many?" "I'm your mother." "You?" "Mother?" "Aren't you too young to be my mom?" "Sister, at most." "Fine, then." "I'm sure you had many maids who looked after you." "Now you must take care of yourself." "If you need help, mom... your sis will help you." "Take care of myself?" "Like what?" "Like lay the futon... put it away, clean the room... and cook when it's your turn." "Are you kidding?" "I can never do that !" "Mother !" "Nao and Michi !" "Fighting !" "Stop it !" "Come over here !" "Michi !" "Nao !" "Come here I say !" "It's dangerous !" "Listen to me !" "Told you, Michi !" "Dangerous !" "Nao, come out from there." "Stop !" "You'll hurt her !" "Come here quick !" ""White clouds in the clear sky that look like a soft brush stroke or stretched cotton are called cirrus." "They consist of fine ice crystals." "Form at altitudes above 8, 000 m and below 12,000 m." "Cirrus look very delicate and refreshing, like sleeves of an angel's robe."" "Now, who can read this?" "Sir !" "I was in a middle school !" "So?" "I can't go back to grade school !" "She's so selfish !" "Disobeys her mom, does no chores, doesn't eat her meals !" "I see." "Like all of you at first." "Hey, don't waste water." "The teachers will be upset." "I'm not." "I'm hungry, that's all." "Drinking too much." "Enough." "We're always short of water." "Hello." "Yes?" "Well..." "Forget it." "Hello." "I heard you left school." "I was worried about you." "Why did you leave?" "A grade school !" "Silly !" "I'm starving, too." "You should eat with us." "You are our family." "Come, eat your meal." "Zen." "You..." "You know what..." "I'm sorry." "I heard you skipped school, too." "Your mom was worried." "Sorry." "You know what..." "That's all you say." "No." "But you know what..." "What is what?" "Well..." "You know what..." "That girl there told me to get her meal." "No, I didn't !" "But I... came here for it." "You didn't ask, but just ran away." "I ran, because you said so !" "Liar !" "What !" "Stop it, Zen !" "Now go home." "Tami, eat your meal." "Shhh." "You must go home." "Zen, go back home." "No!" "I don't want to !" "No !" "No !" "No !" "Why you don't listen, Zen?" "I don't like it !" "Be a good boy." "Go home." "Let go of me, Zen !" "It hurts !" "Help !" "Over here !" "You've been good lately." "I was happy." "You are a good boy, right, Zen?" "Yup." "I know you are." "Always be good, okay?" "Remember how you were?" "I lie, snitch food, pick up fights... and then..." "Sneak away, and butt in..." "But you've been good." "Obedient to me." "You clean the house, help me do chores." "You write to your mom." "I don't wet futon anymore..." "Except today." "But you dried it yourself." "I want to write to mom." "Oh, good !" "She'll be delighted." "What shall I say?" "Tell her to visit." "Go on, write !" "I'm home !" "Write it good." "Show me later." "I'm home !" "I'm writing !" "Keep quiet !" "Don't look." "Mom, they bother me !" "Always calling mom !" "Come again?" "Mom, Zen's mean !" "Always calling mom !" "Those in charge of cooking today, get to work !" "Finish the letter, Zen." "I'm home." "I'm home." "Don't bug me." "Tell me what you did today." "I slipped out of the workshop and napped." "Nobuichi, you promised me it wouldn't happen again, no?" "Your weak points?" "I snitch food, skip work, do bedwetting." "Strong points?" "Good at sewing and speaking lively." "You must keep it up or you'll lose your skills." "Yes, sir." "OK." "Next, Yoshio." "You know what..." "The new girl told me to get some food, so I went into the house and ate." "And then?" "Then her mother hit me." "So I bit her hand." "She hit you?" "I don't believe it." "Your weak points?" "I lie, pick up fights, hate studying... snitch food..." "sneak away, butt in, and then..." "Oh, I bite." "Yes." "Did the girl tell you so?" "You know what..." "I forgot." "Did the woman really hit you?" "She's so..." "Yoshio !" "She was bleeding from the bite !" "I'm sorry." "Sorry?" "You really think you're to blame?" "If so, let's go and apologize to her." "What do you say?" "Oh, and you wrote a letter?" "I'll send it." "Mom will come see you." "Now, go and apologize to her." "What should I say to her?" "Well, you say... you're sorry you sneaked in and bit her." "Boys, do your homework." "Let's go, Yoshio." "It's Kaya's." "Oh, Michi's." "Told them to dry." "They just don't listen." "Tami?" "Walked out of school again?" "No." "I didn't attend." "I don't need to go there." "Why barefoot?" "Someone stole my shoes." "Stole?" "So I tried to do the same, but..." "I couldn't find a clean pair." "Then, wear mine until you find yours." "Wait here, all right?" "Gosh, Tami !" "You can't come in !" "Wash your feet !" "Want one?" "Creepy !" "Throw them away !" "Your home?" "No. 4." "Name?" "Masao." "Why skipped class today?" "Let me guess..." "Arithmetic, right?" "Answer me !" "I want a hammock !" "Tami." "Tami?" "Who's mom is that?" "Someone's mom !" "My mom !" "No, she's not." "Excuse me, do you know where Home No. 4 is?" "Over there." "Is there a boy called Masao Miyazaki?" "Masao Miyazaki?" "Oh, you mean Masa." "Hey !" "Masa !" "Your mother's here !" "Masa !" "Your mother's here !" "Masa !" "Your mom !" "Your mom's here !" "Masa !" "Your mom's here !" "Masao's mother?" "Here?" "I'm home." "Nao." "I saw Masa sleeping on the hillside." "Go tell him." "Sure." "Also, tell Tami to come back for meal." "I'm home." "Please come in." "Thank you." "Please." "Masa is on the hillside." "Someone, go fetch him." "Please, do come in." "Masa !" "Your mom here !" "Masa, he's calling you." "Masa, your mom came to see you." "Come quick." "Wake up !" "Let's carry him." "Here goes !" "It's mom's pair of clogs !" "How could you?" "You blame me?" "Who else?" "I came here barefooted." "Suit yourself." "Mom, Tami doesn't listen to me." "She took yours." "What a nerve !" "No, it was me." "Said she came barefooted." "She said she lost her shoes." "I brought mine for her." "Bring them back for her." "I won't !" "Hama, will you?" "Yes." "Fetch her, too." "Masao, what is it?" "Sit here." "Come quick and show your face." "Welcome, mom." "He's been good." "I owe everything to you." "Must've caused all kinds of trouble." "Masao, come over here." "Go sit by her side, Masao." "This is a lock of my precious hair." "Always wear it with you." "I'll be always with you when you study, work, and sleep." "I'll be watching you." "I'm glad when you do good things, and I'm sad when you do bad things." "Understand?" "Always keep it with you, Masao." "Don't forget." "Your dad stopped drinking and works hard now." "Visits the shrine for you every day." "He'll visit you on his next holiday." "So, be a good boy." "Do you understand?" "What did she give you?" "Leave me alone." "What's that?" "Don't touch !" "Let me see it !" "No way !" "Why not?" "No means no !" "Out of my way !" "No bully !" "I'm not bullying !" "Yes you are !" "Hey, stop it !" "I'm not bullying !" "Move it !" "What?" "Make them stop !" "Yoshio !" "Stop it !" "Enough, Yoshio !" "Koji !" "Enough !" "Stop it !" "Stop I say !" "Yoshio !" "I'll kill myself !" "Hey, Koji !" "Koji, stop !" "Koji !" "The train's coming !" "Koji !" "Want to die?" "Go ahead !" "The train !" "He's cheating !" "Shut up !" "Mom !" "They bug me !" "Yoshio, tell me the truth." "Did you hit first?" "Or Koji?" "He was about to, so I hit." "And bit his hand, yes?" "He was about to, so I bit." "Do you think it was good?" "Or bad?" "Bad, but he's bad, too." "But you started it and bit him, no?" "You promised me not to bite again." "I'm sorry." "If you think it's your fault, apologize to him." "You will?" "Remember what your mom said when she gave you this?" "Said your old self died when you came here." "When you leave, it's your birthday." "That's what she said." "So, be good." "Reach your birthday quickly, OK?" "Good evening." "I'm sorry for the fuss." "Oh, no." "Yoshio, apologize to him." "Sorry for hitting and biting you, Koji." "I'm sorry." "You hit him, too, right?" "Apologize to Zen, Koji." "I'm sorry." "I'd like to play Go, but..." "I know." "We're too busy to do anything." "All right, let's go home, Yoshio." "You didn't say goodbye." "Goodbye." "Your turn, Koji." "Goodbye." "Bye now." "Let's play Go sometime." "In another life, maybe." "Good night, then." "Minoru escaped !" "He brought it up." "With Yoshio and a girl." "Ryohei and Ichizo, too." "But I didn't go." "Where are they?" "There, along the tracks." "We're safe here." "Koji could tell on us." "So?" "They can't catch us anymore." "Let's take the train." "I'm broke." "Doesn't matter." "The teachers !" "Hey !" "Hold it !" "Come back here now !" "Running away with boys !" "How bad !" "Mom should really get her !" "Right !" "Or Tami gets naughtier." "Tell me face to face !" "Tami !" "What?" "How many times did you run away?" "Cry all you want !" "Cry harder !" "Go away..." "Cry harder !" "Koji must have told on us." "Let's get him." "No talking !" "To where?" "To my mother." "In Kyushu?" "On foot?" "Train." "By train?" "What about the fare?" "I'm good at stealing a ride." "If you want to go, be a good boy." "If you run away, she'll be sad." "You just got a letter from your mom." "Forgot her words?" "Read it again carefully." "Close your eyes, think about her." ""I don't hear from you." "how are you doing?" "My body pain is gone now, so I'm working in the mine, smeared with coal." "Study hard, be a good boy and come back home soon." "I'm worried about you, crying all the time." "Be good soon." "That's my wish."" "Home No. 2. 2 tubs. 2 poles." "All set." "Next." "No. 3. 2 tubs. 2 poles." "All set." "No. 4. 2 tubs. 2 poles." "All set." "Good." "Next." "Next." "No. 6. 2 brooms. 2 rakes." "A dustpan." "One broom missing." "Report?" "Done." "Good." "Next." "No. 13. 2 plows. 7 sickles." "2 pairs of scissors." "2 sickles missing." "Why?" "I don't know." "Did you report?" "Not yet." "Do so." "With date and reason." "Yes." "Next." "No. 14..." "Got all tools, Watanabe?" "6 chisels, 2 saws... 1measure, 2 hammers, and 5 planes." "All set." "Good." "Yours, Hirose?" "OK." "Next." "Glitch in sewing machine No. 29." "Huh?" "OK." "Next." "Sewing machine No. 30." "Operating." "Iron next." "20 irons." "All set." "Cutting team." "5 pairs of scissors, 2 knives, 2 chisels, 5 rulers." "All set." "125 cm." "Next." "32 kg." "126.5 cm." "Grown tall !" "Complete." "Not Masao." "Where is he?" "Masao !" "Answer me !" "Masao !" "Oh, that kid !" "Any idea where he went?" "You know what?" "I saw him and Tami talking." "Really?" "Tami." "You talked with Masao, right?" "You know where he is, yes?" "You know it, Tami?" "Mom..." "Talk too much !" "I asked to post a letter !" "Letter?" "To whom did you sent it?" "My dad." "Asking me to get me out." "Had enough !" "Bad meals." "Dirty futon." "Mean girls !" "I'm treated like a maid !" "I can't take it !" "Tami !" "What?" "I'll listen." "It's my last day." "Go ahead, say it !" "Does this lead to the institution?" "And you are?" "Going back there." "It's still far away." "Hop on." "I'll take you there." "Why lost?" "Went to mail, but found a storyteller and followed him." "So you read the letter." "Yes." "I'll bring her home." "I see..." "So you believe in every word she wrote?" "You believe in the letter written by a spoiled, selfish girl?" "But if you do believe it, isn't it a little too silly?" "Why did you bring her here in the first place?" "Think about it." "If your daughter was a regular girl, you didn't have to bring her." "You found it difficult to deal with her." "Isn't that ridiculous to believe in the letter written by such a girl?" "This institution is no paradise, nor amusement park." "It's only natural that a selfish, egotistic girl like her will hate it here." "There's no need to explain or prove what she wrote was true or not." "What do you say?" "Fully understood." "You're not the only one who blindly loves his girl." "But it's fair to say that you love her in your own way." "Are you really leaving?" "My dad is here now." "Come visit me." "I'll host a fine dinner." "Dad !" "Tami !" "Tami !" "Dad !" "Dad !" "I hate you !" "Tami." "Stop crying." "Let's go home." "Tami." "Call such a miserable place home?" "Tami." "I won't go back !" "Tami !" "Want me to work like a maid?" "Collect school fees yet give me terrible meals?" "I'll go home !" "Walk home alone !" "Tami !" "I saw it." "I think I should quit." "You are fed up with this job?" "I'm not good enough to act as their... mother." "Because you hit her?" "Is that the reason?" "You shouldn't." "We're no gods." "We do what we can to make regular people out of the children here." "Sometimes we are blinded by anger or tempted to hit them." "We have our limits." "I don't want to consider this job futile even if... some of them would end up in jail." "Come." "Put it on." "OK." "Tami !" "Over here." "Minoru and Haruo will run away." "Want to join?" "Really?" "No way !" "Darn !" "I guess I shouldn't, either." "I drop out !" "Ditch Yoshio?" "We can't take the main gate !" "Oh, teacher !" "I'm glad you didn't go, Tami." "You made me happy." "So, Tami was tempted to go, but changed her mind, eh?" "So I changed mine, too." "I see." "Someone's mother is coming !" "Not again !" "She's not mine !" "Hey, Nobu !" "You mother is here !" "Nobu, your mom's here." "Got some presents, too." "Hey, Nobu !" "Nobu, wait !" "Nobu ran away !" "Nobu ran away." "What?" "Ran away?" "Again?" "Sorry for the mess." "Running away all the time..." "Is he still troubled?" "Well..." "But he must be somewhere near." "Search him in groups of two." "Do not part from your partner." "Got it?" "Go find him !" "Thank you for visiting..." "Maybe I shouldn't have." "Keep coming to see him." "He will take to you even though you're his stepmother." "That's what I hope." "He works hard lately and studies..." "Thank you for all your trouble." "Please give this to the children." "You shouldn't do this all the time." "Give this to Nobuichi, please." "I will." "Why run away from your mom?" "Who cares?" "Wonder how my mom is doing..." "Get out of here?" "Why not?" "Let's go !" "What were you doing there?" "I was with Nobu." "Doing what?" "Nothing." "Nothing?" "Throwing stones." "Throwing stones?" "Then what?" "Nobu said we'd go." "And?" "I was tempted." "Go where?" "Somewhere." "Like where?" "Don't know." "Go where, Nobu?" "Don't know." "You both don't know." "And what did you do?" "Heard the bell." "Came back." "You heard the bell?" "So you came back?" "Yes." "I see..." "Nobu." "Your mom seemed so sad." "Why always run away from her?" "She visits, because she adores you." "She may not be your real mother." "But she spends less on her to buy clothes for you." "And bring gifts for your friends." "Don't you know she's worried about you so?" "Don't you know?" "You know it, yes?" "I know you do." "Go to the other room, close your eyes and think about her." "Take care of this." "From your mom." "May I go now?" "Sure." "So, the bell made them come back, eh?" "What are you doing, Sabu?" "Nothing." "Eating pickles?" "I'm sorry." "You can't eat late at night." "Go wee-wee and sleep." "Zen." "You go wee-wee." "Don't want to." "You'll wet your futon." "Go, okay?" "Sabu." "Your futon is over here." "Oops." "How's Nobuichi doing?" "Seems fine for now." "Finally asleep." "I see." "I'll take it from here." "Yes, but..." "You know..." "Yes?" "Must be tired." "Rest now." "I'm fine." "You have a lot to do." "Same as you." "This job will last for a lifetime." "Lifetime?" "Or even next lifetime." "Sir !" "Yes?" "What is it?" "Headache again?" "May I take a break?" "All right." "Where's Naoko?" "Put you to another home?" "What happened?" "Had a fight?" "That mother hates me." "She hates you?" "That can't be." "She always pays attention to Tami..." "Oh, don't be silly." "She always speaks highly of you." "Even said she'd let you leave soon." "Just to get rid of me." "That's silly of you." "Put me to another home !" "OK." "I'll think about it." "Go back and study." "Quickly, please." "Yes, yes." "You're wearing Tami's stolen pair of shoes !" "I'll tell on you !" "You'll get it !" "Nao !" "Tami !" "Nao was wearing your shoes !" "Nao?" "Really?" "My shoes !" "I found my shoes !" "I'm home." "Told you she was wearing yours." "It's been long." "Now they hurt me." "So, you stole her shoes and felt guilty about it." "And wanted to go to another home?" "You realized you did a wrong thing." "It's good." "No one's angry." "You may get back to work." "Director there?" "Yes, he is." "Okamoto !" "Long time no see." "Looking good." "What brings you here?" "I'm on vacation, so..." "I see." "Good of you to come." "How's everything?" "Your work?" "A grocery store, right?" "I'm doing good lately." "I'm glad to hear that." "Saw your mother and all?" "Yes, I did, sir." "Glad, eh?" "Let's have a dinner at my place." "Thanks, but my mother will cook." "That's better for you !" "You must miss it." "Later, then." "I'd like to see the place." "No place like home, huh?" "Later, sir." "Hiko !" "Hey !" "Looked all over for you !" "You still here?" "Reminds me of our escape." "Still trying?" "Not recently." "I can leave if I want to." "Think I can find a job somewhere?" "I guess you can." "What about your store?" "Need any help?" "Now, watch this." "No tricks, no gimmicks." "It's coming out..." "Okamoto." "Yes, sir." "Want to try?" "Go ahead." "Things changed." "Kids are even younger." "When you were here, their average age was 16 or 17." "Now, 12 or 13." "Really..." "Feels like returning home." "Okamoto, are you really on vacation?" "I'm really sorry, sir." "Tell me." "You didn't seem like you were on vacation." "But I'm glad you came here, not somewhere else." "Why didn't you tell me the truth?" "I... actually quit the store." "Didn't know where to go." "So I came here." "But when I saw the mother, I couldn't say it." "Why did you quit?" "Isn't this the third time?" "Wherever I went, and no matter how hard I worked, people turned a cold shoulder once they knew I was from here." "This time, they suspected I stole proceeds from the store." "I couldn't take it anymore." "So I quit." "Well, I see." "But Okamoto..." "You might have got a wrong idea because you're ashamed of your past." "You must be strong-willed." "Even if they do turn a cold shoulder, don't lose yourself." "Think about it while you're here." "Be tough, and get through any difficulties." "Is it bad?" "I don't think it's as bad as you worry." "It'd be good if you look after him at home." "That way, he could be closer to you." "Good for all of us." "That would be best." "Ask him in a subtle way." "Yes." "Nobu is gone !" "Gone?" "Will he be all right?" "As long as his fever won't get worse." "Don't worry, he'll be fine." "Let's go." "Wait in line !" "Don't push me !" "Gosh, what did I do?" "Hurry up !" "You got enough !" "Quickly !" "What?" "No more water?" "Look at what Fukutaro did !" "He filled the pots, tubs, and even bathtub with water." "The other homes?" "No water." "Fukutaro, why did you do so?" "A lesson from yesterday." "You can't do this." "Gosh !" "When it's my turn !" "Got water?" "Home No. 6, got water?" "Seems enough, thanks." "Give us some water !" "Well, everyone?" "Got any ideas for water?" "Try not to waste." "Digging a well..." "Won't help." "Tried 10 times before and hardly hit a water vein." "The one in use is a bit better than the others." "There's no hope of public funding." "All we can do is saving water." "Yes, but they need to take a bath after working so hard." "Yes, bathing can't be omitted." "But it needs much water." "So, in my opinion..." "You may laugh at me again, but... can we somehow run water from the pond?" "We could." "It's just a matter of expense." "It's more than 2 km away." "It'd cost a lot to make a reservoir and filtration system." "Then, tell all to wash clothes at the riverside." "And take water from the river for other purposes." "Children may complain." "So, why don't we... let them swim and bring water when they come back." "What do you say?" ""Only for drinking water"" "You don't want to swim, Yoshio?" "Wish I had my dad here." "Turn around, dad." "Oh, feels good." "Now, go swim !" "Cheer up now." "Here, let me help." "Come on, almost there." "Wait here." "Come, quick !" "OK, you boys wait here." "Now, go !" "Go on !" "Got a leak !" "No water !" "Take this one?" "Thief !" "Stole our water !" "Hey !" "It's our water !" "What !" "What?" "Fight or no fight... it's not easy to bring water from the river every day." "Once or twice is okay." "But soon, we must come up with a solution." "I thought over the Director's idea." "I guess it's time to give it a try." "But can we really do it?" "Specifically how?" "I doubt it'll work." "With pickaxes and shovels, all of us here work at it till it's done." "This is not the issue of water." "It'll help the kids to do something constructive together." "Well..." "Sure, let's give it a try." "Why not?" "Yes." "You?" "Of course !" "I brought it up, but you must work at it with determination." "Ready?" "Hey, easy there !" "Form a double line." "Double line !" "Quick !" "Don't push !" "Drink it up !" "Line's here !" "So tired." "It's terribly hot." "Don't take a break yet !" "Back to work !" "Tami." "The boys are all muddy and sweaty." "Wash more properly." "Meal time !" "Meal !" "Hey, don't push !" "Hold it, it's too early !" "Be quiet !" "Our meals here !" "Hey, stop here !" "Form lines here !" "Easy there !" "Stay here, all right, boys?" "Hey, stay back !" "Let's go." "Where you going?" "You know where !" "Better off to get a job !" "Wait !" "You fool !" "How dare you... !" "Bring it on !" "Run away?" "A wimp like you is useless any where you go !" "You can get out of here when I do." "Come on, start over now." "The work is making good progress." "But more than 30 got sick or injured and 8 escaped." "It shows how difficult it is." "Some of them went home and falsely accused our treatment." "Now their families are blaming us." "What shall we do?" "But look at those who escaped." "All habitual deserters." "Other kids seem to be working hard at it." "Well, what do you think?" "I must agree." "Oh, yes." "Looks like they can't wait to get it done." "One of my kids was sick." "But he begged me to let him go to work." "Talking about faking sick..." "I gave a lazy boy a bowl of gruel." "He got up at noon." "Seems he'd rather work than eating gruel." "All right." "Keep working." "To bring the kids'hopes to fruition, keep working." "Gather up !" "All right, let's go." "Quickly !" "You all right?" "I'm just delivering water." "OK." "But please be careful." "Bye, mom !" "Take care." "I'll go, too !" "No, you can't." "Stay in bed." "Let me help." "Ready !" "Banzai !" "We made it !" "Water is coming !" "Water !" "Yeah !" "Passion and energy." "Through hot summer and chilly winter days, the ditch was completed." "It's such a pleasure to send a record number of members in one day to society." "Our work was much more difficult than we imagined." "But all of you came through, covered with sweat and mud, despite the searing sun, freezing snow, pouring rain and raging wind." "With this achievement in mind, you are about to start a new life." "The world awaits your arrival." "You can't imagine how much we, especially mothers, are happy." "Your peers must be happy, too." "Don't depend on other people's kindness." "You may find your life hard and sad." "But when you do, remember how you endured the hardships." "All right, boys and girls?" "Vow effort to live your life strongly, rightly and cheerfully in front of the Introspection Tower that watched you grow up here." "Toll the bell with your hands." "Let the memory be the support of your heart and say goodbye." "I'll listen to my dad and mom, study hard and won't lie." "A poem of inspiration:" ""The pine tree looks more dignified after enduring snows and storms. "" "I'll speak less." "I'll work hard faithfully." "And write each month to thank you all." "A poem of inspiration:" ""No one tells of good and evil when he is unsure of it."" "I'll treat my stepmother as my own and be good to her." "I'll work hard to become a fine tailor." "A poem of inspiration:" ""Though I may fall behind others, I'll keep the right path."" "I'd been bad." "I'd been selfish and delinquent." "I was raised by my father." "But I was such a burden for him and for the mother here as well." "But she cared for me as if my own mother." "Now I can tell what's good and what's not." "I'm a good girl now, thanks to the teachers and the mother." "I'll never forget my indebtedness to you." "Thank you." "I'll write to you." "I'll come see you." "A poem of inspiration:" ""I stand at a crossway, unsure of which way leads to light."" "I'd been bad, too." "I lied a lot." "Escaped many times." "Stole things." "Wetted futon, too." "Now, I don't do any of it." "My peers'parents are here to pick them up." "But no one showed up for me." "I lost my father." "My mom is poor, and too busy to come see me today." "But I'm not lonely." "I can go alone." "I'm sure she'll weep for joy to see me come home." "I'll work and support her." "I'll save, and come see you with my mom and with thank-you gifts." "A poem of inspiration:" ""All can be done if you try, and none can be done if you don't."" "I'm an orphan." "I start a new life with the help of Okamoto." "Work hard, act as a mirror to myself." "A poem of inspiration:" ""Water obeys its container, yet it can penetrate rocks."" "This is my second departure." "I'll do my best." "A poem of inspiration:" ""Though the mountain is high, there is always a way to climb."" "The End." "English Subtitles by Shin Yamamoto"