"Dear spectators." "I'm a screenwriter." "I write scripts for films." "It's more than 10 years since I started writing scripts." "I'm not talented, I haven't written one really good work." "But I love movies." "I wish I'd write a good one someday." "I might die before doing so." "But that's OK." "This is the story of my wife." "During tough times," "I remembered my wife's words, and I'd get my courage back." "And I got over it." "I'll carry on like this." "Dear spectators, perhaps you won't be interested in a story about a screenwriter." "But please listen to this story of a small-time screenwriter." "STORY OF A BELOVED WIFE" "Photography:" "Yasukazu Takemura" "Music:" "Chuji Kinoshita" "Art Direction:" "Koji Mizutani" "Sound Recording:" "Toshio Nakamura" "Editing:" "Shigeo Nishida" "Production Manager:" "Masatsugu Hashimoto" "Starring" "Nobuko Otowa Jukichi Uno" "Special Appearance:" "Denjiro Okochi" "Ichiro Sugai Osamu Takisawa" "Ryosuke Kagawa Sayuriko Hanabu" "Masao Shimizu Taiji Tonoyama" "Seishiro Hara Teruko Omi" "Written and Directed by Kaneto Shindo" "Please let us get married." "Please, Mom?" "Well that..." "I can't really help you." "You can." "If you'll stand on my side." "Wait for another chance." "Dad's so furious today." "Dad's unreasonable." "To kick Mr. Numazaki out!" "Useless to talk with him." "Takako!" " Don't!" " Let go!" "Sit down!" "I don't want to scold you." "I won't give you Takako." "Give up." "I won't let you marry." "Why?" "Tell me." "I don't have to." "No is no." "It's... because I'm poor?" "Think what you like." "Maybe not today, but leave as soon as you can." "Honey." "You can't do this, all of a sudden!" " Shut up." " But honey..." "I've said what I've said." "I get it." "I'll leave." " Honey..." " Shut up!" "You're leaving?" "I'm just a tenant." "I have to go if the landlord says so." "Mom's on my side." "She'll talk to Dad later." "Forget it." "Your dad thinks I'm too poor." "Everyone has no stable footing at the beginning." "He doesn't understand what movies are." "He thinks screenwriters are good-for-nothings." "We'll make him understand." "Let's work hard together." "Takako!" "Takako!" "Go downstairs." " What're you doing?" " I'm leaving with Numazaki." "I'm your father!" "I'm sorry." "He's like that." "I've stayed here so long." "Sorry to leave like this." "Where're you going?" "I'll look for a room." "Actually..." "I think it's all right to let you marry her." "I'm not in a position to get married." "Numazaki, be patient." "I'll work something out." "SUNNY APARTMENTS" "Come in." "Hello." "You're all wet!" "I had a fight with Dad." "I left home." "You ran away?" "He's so stubborn." "I can't stand him." " Come in." " Yes." "Have some bread." "Thanks." "Drink." "It's not easy to make your own meal." "I'm so useless." "Come what may." "There's always a way." "Sorry." "My father's stubborn." "That's OK." "Any father'd be angry." "My father's transferred." "He's building a new factory for a paper company in Shimota." "Remember he's a constructor?" "He'd be the supervisor." "You're going too?" "Em..." "From today on..." "May I stay here?" "I made up my mind not to go home." "You're so rash!" "Please let me stay." "Only Mom'd forgive me..." "If you won't regret it..." "I won't." "I won't regret it." "We got married in spring, 1942." "The war was shaking Japan from head to toe." "SHOCHIKU OFUNA STUDIO" "The movie industry was reconfigured." "SHOCHIKU OFUNA STUDIO" "The movie industry was reconfigured." "TOHO STUDIO The movie industry was reconfigured." "TOHO STUDIO" "Production was halved." "TOHO STUDIO" "Production was halved." "Studios were consolidated." "SHINKO OIZUMI STUDIO Studios were consolidated." "Studios were consolidated." "The two studios of Shinko were closed down." "NIKKATSU TAMAGAWA STUDIO The two studios of Shinko were closed down." "The two studios of Shinko were closed down." "I'd be fired if there's a merger." "I'm just a newcomer, like an apprentice." "Oh, you're back." "So dark in here." "You must be hungry." "I'll start cooking now." "I got some meat rations today." "There'd be a merger." "Oh really?" "I'll probably be fired." "That's bad." "It's not funny." "We may starve." "I'll work if you're fired." "Stop kidding." "You will be fired?" "I'm going to be a lathe worker." "Such work is too tough for you." "I know, but we have to eat." "Can't you keep on writing?" "There'll be fewer films." "Studios are downsized." "There won't be work for a newbie screenwriter." "Perhaps there won't be films anymore." "The war won't go on forever." "If you change jobs, you won't write anymore?" "I'll be fired!" "I can't go on like this." "Go to Kyoto." "Your ex-boss Masuda, he's now at the studio of Kyoto." "He's the Head of Planning." "Go visit him, he may find you something." "Please, keep writing scripts." "Don't give it up." "You spent 5 years on that." "You can't do anything else." "Let's do it." "You'll come with me?" "Aren't we husband and wife?" "Wherever you go, I'll follow." "I'll write him a letter." "On the way to Kyoto, we can see Mom in Shimota." "I don't even know if Masuda'd see me." "Will your dad meet me?" "He's not as stubborn as he looks." "NEW PLANT TAMAKI PAPER" "No I won't." "But... they came all the way." "She disobeyed me and ran away!" "I won't see her." "Yes but..." "can't you forgive her?" "Not while I'm alive!" "You're too stubborn!" "I'm that stubborn!" "She's late." "She must've gone home." "Your dad's still mad at me." "It runs in the family." "Grandad's like that." "Here she comes." "Mom!" " Where's Dad?" " He won't see you." "Ah..." "That's like him." "Numazaki, I'm terribly sorry." "He's like that." "Never mind." "Maybe next time." " I'm very very sorry." " It's OK." "Kyoto is a beautiful capital." "A capital with a long history." "But in this beautiful and ancient city..." "Quick!" "CHIKU KYOTO STUDIO" "The army took our cameras and film stock again." "Can't be helped." "Let them." "We can't do our work." "The technicians were gone." "Your signature please." "There are others." "Even the reserves are called up." "I may be next." "Wait for your turn." "It may be over soon." "Yes." "I talked to the chief." "Sit down." "He said you should write one script as your test." "We don't know how good you are." "Then we'll decide on your salary." "There's work for you now." "Yuko, take this." "Write for Mr. Sakaguchi." "Wanna try?" "Yes, please!" "That's not easy." "But if you learn from him, you'll be a mature writer." "Yes, please!" "Let's go to his place." "Going out?" " Chief, that's Numazaki." " I'm Numazaki." "We're going to Sakaguchi's." "Sakaguchi is one of the best directors in Japan." "If I can work with him, it'd be very meaningful work." "Hello." "This is Numazaki." " I'm Numazaki." " I'm Sakaguchi." "Please sit." "Japanese cinema is finished." "Why?" "Army and ministry interfering." "I can't do anything." "The real problem is film stock." "They're all taken for newsreels." "There may be a further drop in drama film production." "I should quit and be a farmer." "You can't do that." "Sakunosuke Oda gave me an original work." "Please write a script out of this." "Here it is." "It's a love story." "But need some brushing up." "Freshen up the characters." "Write what you think best." " Let's go out for tea." " Yes." " There's no more coffee." " Yes." "Please wait for me." "Here's your test." "Write it well." "Write what you think best." "My husband writes movie scripts." "Scripts... are they novels?" "No." "Scripts are scenarios." "The basis of a movie." "The plot?" "No." "Not just the plot, but also the lines and gestures." "The director makes the film according to it." "While following the director, the actors base their performances on the script." "Sounds great." "The cloth looks nice." "Just some merchandise sample." "My man designs cloth patterns." "Really?" "Welcome home." " How was it?" " They gave me work to do." "A script for Sakaguchi, from Oda's story." "That's great!" "Sakaguchi's nice." "Today I received sake rations." "Let's celebrate." "I don't drink, but... (Kyoto dialect) Don't say that, drink!" "(Kyoto dialect) OK then, I'll drink!" "Say hello to our neighbours." "You haven't." "Oh?" "I'll go now." "Hello?" "Hello." "Honey, it's Numazaki." "Please sit here." "Honey!" "Don't you hear me?" "I just moved here." "I'm Numazaki." "Hello." "I have work to do." "He's an eccentric." "He meant no harm." "He did bad or strange things only 2 or 3 times a year." "Mom's talking bad things about you again!" "Hey!" "Bad boy!" "They're nice, right?" "What's that?" " Music of Gion Festival." " Oh." "Sounds nice." "They're practicing." "Good we came to Kyoto." "Perhaps." "Tired?" "Take a break." "Let's play chess." "No chess here." "I found a chess set on the kitchen shelf." "The previous tenant forgot it, I think." "Let's play." "Come on." "OK." "You made the chessboard?" "Good?" "Blackout warning?" "Where's the curtain?" "In our luggage." "Lights off?" "Beautiful sky." "Come here." "Your turn." "How's the script?" "I'll write it well." "You'll be an established writer if you write for Sakaguchi." "If I could, yes." "Let's go to Nara if the work's done." "Yes." "It's just an hour from here." "My graduation trip was for Nara, but I fell sick." "I really want to see Mt." "Mikasa." "We're here in Kyoto." "Nara is a must." "Write a good script." "I will." " So hot today." " Sure it is." "Mr. Sakaguchi!" " I finished it." " Let me see." "I'll read it tonight." "You'll know tomorrow morning." "You wrote a lot." "I read it." "Numazaki..." "This is a story." "Not a script." "Just a plot summary." "You wrote nothing on the acting." "This is no good." "You should study screenwriting again from scratch." "This is not a script." "Just a plot summary." "You wrote nothing on the acting." "This is no good." "Go study from scratch." "Hey." "Takako." "Hey!" "Not home?" " Have you eaten?" " No." "Our neighbour gave us watermelon." "They're rare these days." "You eat first." "He said my script is bad." ""Just a story."" ""Nothing on the acting."" ""It's not a script, just a plot summary."" ""It's not just bad."" ""It's not even a script."" "Hello?" "Yes?" " Welcome." " Is he home?" "Honey." "Mr. Masuda's here." "I know you saw Mr. Sakaguchi." "We just talked on phone." "Let's talk." "Please come in." "He said you're not yet mature." "If he said so, we can't give you work." " Have some watermelon." " That's not necessary." "Eat it while it's still chilled." "You'll go back to Tokyo?" "I did say this is a test." "Sakaguchi also told the studio head what he thought." "He agreed we can't give you a job right now." "I can't help you further." "Go back to your previous job." "Now's the right time." "I'll talk to them." "I'll go to Tokyo at the end of the month." "I have to think about it." "I understand." "It's a big decision." "Think about it." "Bye." "Thanks for coming." "Bye." "You heard?" "Yes." "What should I do?" "He said I should go back to Tokyo." "What do you think?" "No!" "They don't want me." "Weakling." "Don't sulk." "Write something good next time." "There's no second chance." "I flunked." "What'd you do in Tokyo?" "He said I should go back to my previous place." "He'll ask them to take me back." "But that's uncertain." "You quit because you knew you'd be fired." "So I should stay?" "Think about this." "You came here to become an established writer." "If you go back like this, what'd they think?" "There's no turning back." "You have to get over this." "Fight it to the bitter end." "Ask Masuda to let you stay for a year, without pay." "If we economize, one year is no problem." "No!" "I've lost my confidence." "Please." "No pay is fine." "Give him 1 year to study." "If he's still no good, we'll give this up." "You won't see us again." "Please!" "One year, no pay." "Give him a second chance." "Please!" "Think about this." "Study real hard for 1 year." "If it doesn't work out, I'll give up." "You'll give up, too." "Then we'll think about our future." "Go and ask Masuda." "Yes?" "OK." "I'll ask Masuda." "(Kyoto dialect) Do it." "It's decided." "I'll ask him." "Do it now." "Sooner the better." "I'm going." "Her face and her words give me courage." "Masuda has confidence in me." "I'll do whatever it takes." "I'm saved." "I'll do it right!" "From today, I'll study again for a year." "From morning I sit by my desk," "and fix my skills step by step." "First I'll read the classic dramas of the world." "After lunch, I go to the nearby river, Kamogawa." "Minnows swim upstream." "I catch fish and play with the kids." "After supper, I go back to my desk." "It's hot." "Still studying?" "Come to bed." "Just a bit." "Kyoto's so hot." "Honey." "Rice cake." "Tomorrow's New Year." "Where did you get the money?" "That's OK." "Don't worry." "We can afford that." "Somebody just came." "He said he works at Hanaya Inn." "He told me to give you this." "What's this?" "From your father, I think." "Come here." "Yes." "When did you come?" "Five days ago I went to Osaka for business." "The work's done." "I'll go home tomorrow." "Why didn't you come see us?" "You disobeyed your parents and ran away." "I won't visit you." "Excuse me." "Enjoy." "Come closer." "You lost weight." "Maybe." "Come home with me!" "What kind of life are you having?" "I can well imagine." "I can forget what you've done." "I made this detour to take you home." "Yes?" "Come home with me." "Dad." "I'm his wife." "Nonsense!" "You know what'd happen if you stay with him?" "He's not that kind of man!" "A movie man?" "A good-for-nothing!" "I know very well that your mom's sending you money." "Cut the crap and come home!" "Come home with me!" "Numazaki!" "Numazaki!" "Happy New Year." " What's up?" " You look so happy." "We're poor, still I have to wish you a happy new year." " Your wife's out?" " Yes." "Let's drink!" "Come to my place!" "Mrs. Numazaki?" "Mr. Sakaguchi!" "How's your husband?" "A man needs a woman's support." "Please give him strength." "I will." "Thank you very much." "Be tenacious." "Work hard while you're young." "I've been designing cloth patterns for 25 years." "25 years!" "Have some more." " Sake!" " Yes." "Here's the last one." "No more?" " I should go now..." " No!" "No sake?" "Just buy some!" "It's not that easy." "You need money to buy it." "She seems to be bad-tempered, but she's actually a good wife." "Cut the crap." "She heard me!" " Take your time." " Thanks." "Pattern-designing may be boring work." "But I worked so hard on it when I was young." "I was dumb, so I worked much much harder than others." "No, you're really talented." "You're now an established artist." "No, no!" "Nothing to do with talent." "I just worked super-hard." "It's just perseverance." "I'll show you my work." "My studies." "Thousands of them." "Numazaki." "Work hard." "I can't be like you." "What!" "Cheer up!" "A man should feed his wife." "Even if you hate it, work hard." "Don't lose heart!" "Let's sing!" "I sing first!" "Look for a wife who's talented," "Pretty, and affectionate." "Choose a friend like you choose a book." "60% chivalry. 40% passion." "The limit of a romance," "Is a man's reputation." "The sign of a true friendship," "Is to risk your life for justice." "Look for a wife who's talented," "Pretty, and affectionate." "Choose a friend like you choose a book." "60% chivalry. 40% passion." "Look for a wife who's talented," "Pretty, and affectionate." "What is it?" "Nothing." "Knitting every day, that's why." "It's nothing." "Just a cold." "Just how much could you make doing this?" "How much?" "But I can't play all day." "Stop it!" "It's not yet 1 year." "Who say I won't succeed?" "Stop doing this!" "Honey, I'll stop." "I don't mean to make you angry." "I'll stop." "I'm sorry." "Hello?" "Welcome." "Is Numazaki in?" "He just went out." "Please tell him to go to Sakaguchi's tomorrow morning." "OK?" " Yes." " Goodbye." "Please be seated." "How are you?" "So-so." "Fishing every day at Kamogawa?" "I talked to Masuda." "I'm now asking you to write for me once more." "Will you do it?" "Please let me do it." "This is really your last chance." "Do your best." "Thank you very much." "Thank you very much!" "My last chance." "My efforts are not in vain." "This job will decide my fate." "I'm bad after all." "I learnt nothing the past year!" "Banzai!" "Banzai!" "Banzai!" "Red flowers blooming on the slope." "Red flowers blooming on the slope." "Green grass all over the shore." "When Kyoto's flowers are howling," "The moon's on top of Mt." "Yoshida." ""Student Soldier" The moon's on top of Mt." "Yoshida." "The moon's on top of Mt." "Yoshida." "We lay on the dewy grass," "And look at the morning stars." "Abundant hope..." "Fills our hearts." "Autumn's clear water..." "Hey." "Takako." "It's morning?" "It's finished." "You worked hard." "It'd be OK this time." "Yes." "Have confidence!" "Now I don't want to hand it over." "You'll hand it over today?" "Due date's today." "Your bag." "Bye." "Oh God, please..." "Let him succeed." "I'm home." "Home." "So hot!" "He treated me to a drink." "I made it." "Oh..." "Sakaguchi praised me." "Really..." "I passed." "Great!" "He took me to celebrate." "He poured beer for me." "That's great!" "Ah..." "I'm relieved!" "That's great!" "I feel safe." "Let's wrestle!" " No!" " Yes!" "What's wrong?" "Hey!" "I'm so glad!" "So glad!" "So glad..." "Takako." "Honey!" "I'm so glad!" "So glad!" "We had over 500 people working here before the war." "We have only 70 now." "Some went to fight the war." "Some worked at the military." "Some left because of the downsizing." "Those who are still here, may leave us at any time." "But even if we only have 10, or only 5," "I'm determined not to close down the studio." "It's now a very difficult time for Japan." "The movie industry is facing hard times ahead." "Everybody, let's work hard together!" "When will the script be ready?" "You said you want a good one." "The release date is fixed!" "So what?" "Numazaki is to write a final draft." "The script is the basis of a film." " Of course I know!" " You don't!" "Numazaki, when will you finish it?" "As soon as I can." "He wants a complete rewrite." "Takes a month to do so." "No different from writing from scratch." "Precisely." "Complete rewrite." "The script is all right, more or less." "But I want a rewrite to make it even better." "If you keep doing this, the script won't be done." "You're just a manager." "Can you make a film?" "Sakaguchi, that's too much!" "Oh really?" "Chief, please let me rewrite it." "Well, if you must..." "Numazaki, it's for you." "Hello." "I'm Numazaki." "Please come home." "Your wife's vomiting blood." "And?" "Doctor's here." "Come home now." "What's wrong?" "What happened?" "Nothing." "It's OK." "Let's go over it in detail." " Still not here?" " What's he doing!" "Mr. Numazaki!" "Why are you so late?" "What's the matter?" "I vomited blood." "You must rest now." "I can't sleep well before I see you back." "The doctor said, when you're back, go see him." "Let's go upstairs." "What did the doctor say?" "Acute TB." "She was a latent carrier." "That's so unexpected..." "She should stay in bed." "Please ask if you need help." "Thanks." "How're you feeling?" "Braid my hair." "You must be shocked." "I wired your parents." "Oh." "I guess your mom'll come." "You haven't eaten, right?" "Oh." "I forgot." "There's mackerel in the kitchen." "Rice is ready." "OK." "I'll eat now." "Honey!" "What is it?" "A basin!" ""Don't worry."" ""I won't die."" "Her mom arrived the day after tomorrow, in the morning." "Your mom's here." "Oh?" "Hello." "You vomited blood?" "Yes." "Acute TB." "Takako, come back to Shimota." "Come home." "Yes?" "I'll stay here." "How can you?" "I'll stay here." "I want to stay by him." "Please go down for breakfast." "Honey." "It's time for work." "Don't worry about me." "Mom, take my bed downstairs." "He has to work." "It's brighter here." "And better air." "You work here." "I'll go downstairs." "Another telegram from Dad." "He knew what's going on here." "You should go home." "He doesn't like you here." " But..." " It's OK." "I can manage." "Mom." "Go home." "He can't do without you." "But..." "I'm OK." "Don't worry." "I'll go home." "I'll come again." "Don't make Dad worry." "A bus came." "That's good." "What're you doing?" "Planting morning glory." "I picked some on the river bank." "When it grows, you'll see it." "I may be able to get up by then." "That'd be great." "I will get well." "When you're well, let's go to Nara." "Yes." "I will get well." "One more time." "It's no use." "Don't waste time." "You won't know without trying." "Numazaki." "Can you write something he likes?" "I'll redo it." "I think it's good enough." "My demands aren't unreasonable." "Let him rewrite it." "Mr. Masuda." "I don't think he's unreasonable." "Let me be frank." "With the skills I have," "I'll never satisfy him." "But this script of mine," "I'll rewrite it as good as I can." "It's my duel with him." "Win, or die." "That's it." "Give me time." "3 days." "OK." "If he says so..." "Go for it!" "Goodbye." "He looks very worried about his wife." "For anybody, work is a matter of life and death." "Rice is ready." "The morning glory's not blooming." "The buds are out." "It'll bloom." "Tea?" "I bought fish today." "Eat." "I don't want it." "You must eat." "But I don't want it." "It's Gion Festival again." "It's already 1 year." "Air raid." "Air raid!" "Air raid!" "Air raid!" "Air raid!" "Honey." "Go to the shelter." "No." "I stay here." "How's work?" "I'm working on it." "Going well?" "Yes." "I'll submit the final draft tomorrow." "Oh..." "Shouldn't you be working?" "It's late now." "Go upstairs and work." "Go." "OK." "I'm going." "Air raid!" "Go to the shelter!" "Honey." "You called?" "I need a smoke." "Honey." "Bring me the photo album." "What for?" "I want to see it now." "Bring it here." "Open it." "Seems like..." "I can't go to Nara." "Soon, we'll go." "Many times." "What's wrong?" "Takako." "What's wrong?" "Honey." " Where're you going?" " To get the doctor." "Forget it." "What're you saying!" "I won't be long." "Honey!" "No doctor." "I know." "I want to see Mr. Sakaguchi." "Please." "OK." "I'll call him." "Honey." "He's still not here?" "Mr. Sakaguchi..." "Sorry to call you." " How's she doing?" " Doctor said she'll die." "Takako." "Mr. Sakaguchi." "Mr. Sakaguchi." "Mrs. Numazaki, hello." "Yes." "I've got good news." "He wrote a good script." "It's good." "He wrote a good one." "We'll film it soon." "Really?" "He wrote a good one?" "I'm dying." "I'll be leaving him." "Mr. Sakaguchi, please look after him." "Mrs. Numazaki, he'll do well on his own." "Don't worry." "Honey." "Keep writing scripts." "The rest of your life..." "Scripts..." "Keep writing scripts..." "I will." "I will." "Thanks for looking after me." "Hang on." "I sent a telegram." "Your mom's coming." "Never mind." "You're by my side." "I'm happy." "Because you're by my side," "I'm happy." "Takako!" "Takako." "Takako." "She looked peaceful." "She looked lovely, and pure." "I'm now on my own." "My wife is gone." "Honey, take care." "Work hard." "When times are tough, laugh." "THE END"