A Joint Production by Nakahira Production and A.T.G.
Madam?
No!
Madam?
No.
No!
I should've said "non" sooner
Five years ago... No, ten... Even more than that...
VARIATION
Based on the Novel by: Hiroyuki Itsuki
Cast
Reiko Asō
Ado Satō
Noboru Matsuhashi
Screenplay by: Kō Nakahira, Seichi Ichiko
Assistant Direction by: Seichi Ichiko, Kenichi Oguri and Teruaki Shirato
Theme Song Courtesy of Philips Records Vocals by: Shinshō Nakamaru Written by: Susumu Arima Lyrics by: Jean A. Marche and Norihiko Sugi
Recording by: Jūnosuke Okuyama
Editing by: Michio Suwa
Produced by: Yasuhisa Yazaki, Shunji Ōki and Shōsuke Taga
Music Produced by: Sakurako Endō
Camera by: Shinpei Asai
Directed by: Kō Nakahira
Cognac, please.
One more.
Long time no see.
One more.
It's my third glass.
Wine for me.
- I can drink a lot now. - You didn't drink a lot back then.
I didn't drink at all, to be specific.
Is your vision worsening? You are wearing sunglasses.
No.
One cognan for me, please.
You remembered me.
I noticed right away.
I was contemplating whether I should talk to you first.
I didn't notice you that fast.
I'll pay.
I am still doing okay with money.
- How about you? - Here you have.
I still have no money.
My belly got chubby. My teeth got bad. I suffer from gout.
And I’m still not doing okay with money.
It seems I've seen her. Seems he knows her.
- Oh yes? - Someone looks like her.
Oh yes? Well, that's okay.
What was the waiter saying?
- Those two were talking about tonight... - Tonight what?
They talked about whether we would sleep together or not.
My husband arrived to Prague last week. I got married.
I see.
Almost thirteen years have passed since I married him.
Thirteen years?
How long after our breakup?
You disappeared in the fall of 1955. So...
Seventeen years ago.
Time really flies, doesn’t it?
- What's your husband doing in Prague? - He has business there.
I went there to buy handicrafts, including glass ones.
- Then, why are you here? - Well...
Stay at the hotel until next Tuesday.
I'll visit Warsaw and Sofia and come back on Tuesday evening.
Take care of yourself and see you later.
Oh dear!
With Charles Jourdan, that would never happen.
Don't you want these white shoes? They go very well with your dress.
I thought about you this morning.
It's true. I wonder if it was some kind of telepathy?
- About me? - Right.
How did you think about me?
This morning, Paris seen from my hotel room was really stunning.
It was like a calendar photo.
Then, I wondered what you would've said had you seen it in the past.
The crucible of hatred is red-hot
Let's forge iron swords
Even if the fortress of oppression is solid
Even if the storm of atrocity blows wildly
Why don't you slow down? Why are you in a hurry?
- We have a lot of time. - I told you I didn't.
But, walk slower...
- This building. - A hotel?
No, it's rented. It’s not my room.
- Your friends'? - No...
I'm telling this to you only.
The organization rented it for me.
Organization?
Hey, you!
The room is dirty.
- There's only one chair. - I'm fine there.
I feel bad because I’m wet with the rain. You don't have a bathtub, right?
I have a shower stall.
Though it's barely a stall.
- Let me use it. - The water will gradually get warmer.
Wear this while your clothes dry.
Thank you.
Do you feel like listening to my life?
Yes.
We live in Takanawa, in a little house.
I can drive a car by myself now.
What does your husband do?
He runs a big foreign-goods shop in Ginza.
He only sells top-notch luxury items for incredible prices.
You and him...
No, I won't ask...
I love him in a way.
Most of all, he has a lot of knowledge and confidence in money-making.
I'm alive now only because I met Oze.
I almost died twice after you disappeared.
Of course, I’m talking about suicide.
After jumping from my window, I met Oze when I was working at a bar in Ginza.
He saved my life.
Like a flash of lightning.
You will catch a cold. Get in bed and warm your body.
It might have a manly scent, but, at least, it doesn't have any bugs.
They will be dry in the morning.
You never were this gentle in the past...
Say, that organization is...
It's not your business. But I can give you an answer, if you want.
I want to hear it.
It's called PGPM.
It’s an international movement.
The Black Panthers, the Palestinian Liberation Army, South Tyrol Independentists...
...Quebec Liberation Front and other Algerian groups. We have connections with them.
Several of the members are under field combat training in Guinea under the direction of PGPM.
When you boarded the ship at Omura Bay...
...you were already in touch with them, right?
Yes.
I didn't know anything about you, even though I was by your side.
So where did you end up?
In China... And two years after, I went from India to the Middle East.
After a while, I went to Moscow and, eventually, moved to Prague.
I went to Charles University in Prague.
- When did you come to Paris? - Right before the May Revolution in 1968.
To me, all that sounds like some tale from a faraway land.
But that might be the only way to feel something real in life.
That's true.
- Can I get in? - Turn off the light.
- Do you have a cigarette? - I do.
If you don't mind.
I never thought I would meet you like this.
That's right.
For me, it’s like you’ve been dead for seventeen years.
I intended to stay alive, but I was supposed to live like a dead person to you.
I had the means to contact you, but I didn't do it for that reason.
Why?
Because I think you and I are different human beings.
What do you mean?
You can devote yourself to the revolution and the people, but you thought...
...it wasn’t appropriate for people like me?
I hated people and this world...
...but I thought I couldn't drag you to that kind of lifestyle.
I see.
The reality of politics and revolutionary movements is different from the ideal of the revolution itself.
Yes, I guess that's true.
What are you going to do? What are you going to do to me?
I won't do anything.
Stay here until morning. Let's have a meal when the clothes are dried.
And if you still want to, we can talk some more.
- Weren’t you intending to sleep with me? - No...
How typical of you. You were like that back then too.
I always liked your reckless attitude.
I'm not reckless.
I see.
The reason I'm not sleeping with you is not related to my lifestyle or values at all.
I haven't been able to do it for the last two or three years.
- Is it weird? - Yes.
It sounds funny, but it is real.
Since I came to this town, I have been living with ten francs per day.
I was contacting an Arab comrade in Pigalle...
...and it seemed like I could be killed anytime by an unknown car.
I'm feeling so tense all the time.
I'm tired...
I'm so tired...
Let's leave this town, only the two of us.
I'll spend one whole week with you.
Don't talk.
I know.
But let's just forget for now.
Forget everything.
Alright. Let's go on a trip together.
Let's do it.
I'm glad.
Where do you go from Nice?
- You don't have a schedule yet? - No.
I just bought a two-way ticket. That's all. I just visit places randomly.
Why do you want to go to Côte d'Azur again?
- That place is terrible. - I wanted to visit somewhere vulgar.
Stay at the hotel until next Tuesday.
I'll visit Warsaw and Sofia and come back on Tuesday evening.
Today is the day.
I'm going to buy a colorful shirt for you. Those clothes look too tacky for Côte d'Azur.
Incredible! You look great.
Isn't it too flashy? I was too scared to look at the mirror.
- Where are we going? - If we head that way, where do we end up?
- Where does this road lead? - It passes through Nice and then Monaco.
- We will end up in Nice, then Monaco. - And after that?
After that?
- And after that? - We'll cross the border, to Italy...
...towards Sanremo.
- Beyond the border, it's Sanremo in Italy. - Let's go over there.
- Are you tired? - Yes.
You should sleep a bit.
I'm not satisfied with my life at the moment.
What?
I’m saying I don't love my husband sincerely.
So?
- Do you know what this is? - Well...
It's a sleeping pill that doesn't make you sleep.
I take it when I want to stop my thinking process or kill bad thoughts.
Are you depending on it?
For about three years already, maybe?
My husband knows about it, but he doesn't say anything.
What is the name of this town?
- What's the name of this town? - It's Menton.
- Menton. - After Menton, it's Italy.
It seems we are approaching Italian territory.
- Let's get off here. - Do you know this town?
No.
- Then, why? - I've heard the name of this town before.
Where do we stay?
Why don't we give a tip to the driver and make him find an available hotel?
It's on-season now, it might be difficult.
Say, Mister...
Will it be difficult to find a room for us?
Oh dear... That's difficult, you know? Because of the festival.
It seems there is a music festival.
A famous summer concert is held here every year.
Rich people, not only from France...
...but also from the world, bring their cruisers and take most of the available hotel rooms.
Young people sleep on the coast with blankets, their heads covered.
So, can he find a place for us, or not?
He said he would ask other drivers.
Listen, where can I get a hotel?
That'll not be easy!
That's from the festival. Oistrakh is coming as well.
Oistrakh? Is he coming to such a small town?
- Gilels also. - That's true.
Thanks!
- Bye. - Bye.
There is a possibility.
He found a room.
The bathroom is over here.
Thank you.
- Can't we have a room with an ocean view? - Because we didn't book in advance.
- Are you tired? - No.
I am fine. You must be tired.
Come here.
There’s only the two of us. I'm here with you now.
Yes.
And when we go back to Paris...
...we'll separate there. We'll never see each other again.
Ah... it's hot. I'm taking this off.
I'll undress too.
You used to take your clothes off only when the room was dark.
Yes, but now it's different.
I'm taking it all off.
Take it all off too.
Okay!
I've never walked naked in front of my husband. Not even once.
But even once, I want to walk...
...stand up, do something or move around freely...
...totally naked in front of a man.
Do you know pin-up girls? The smiling nude girls on American magazines.
Yes.
I've always wanted to pose like them once.
Am I weird?
Come here.
My life has been very restricted.
Everyone has a dream about what they want to do, at least once, before death.
For example?
For example, walk naked freely in front of a man, do the poses of pin-up girls. And then...
And then?
Doing this...
Scream the name of this part repeatedly in a loud voice.
I can't say such a thing.
But... I...
...I’ve never said it in a loud voice in my entire life.
- Are you serious? - I am.
That's too trivial. Want me to do it for you?
No!
My life is still very restricted like this.
Hold me.
You are quiet...
Perhaps you have to be liberated too.
From what?
For example, from politics and ideologies.
What shall I do?
Just like I can’t scream the name of a woman's parts, you must have...
...some words that you can’t pronounce too.
For example? What?
Please, say: "revolution is meaningless".
Even if I said it, it would be worthless.
As long as you can't say it, you aren’t free either.
- I am not? - You aren't. Please, say it.
Revolution is meaningless.
- In a louder voice. - Revolution is meaningless!
And then: "what I want is comfort and power. The masses are ridiculous."
Okay.
The masses are ridiculous. Revolution is meaningless. I want to have money and power.
How much black people and Asian people suffer is not my business.
I want to eat delicious food and sleep well.
Okay, I said it. It's your turn. Say it.
What is it? What do dirty men call that part of your body?
Pu...
I can't say it... I really can’t.
You were the one who suggested it.
What time is it?
8'o clock.
It's still early.
Are you still sleepy?
- I am hungry. - Let's go eat outside.
Then, drink a lot of alcohol...
...and, tonight, I will try my best to revive you.
Okay! Let's go out!
I’m seeing your naked back for the first time.
Is that so?
When we were lovers, back then...
...we knew almost nothing about each other.
The type of butt shape you have, how it moves when you walk...
- I never thought about it at all. - Please, throw my underwear.
All bets are off!
Fourteen, Red.
200 francs, 1600 francs.
Thank you, sir.
And you, sir?
- Seventeen. - Very well.
No, no. Twenty one, please.
I’m going to drink at the bar.
It's rolling. 100 francs.
I won this much. It's the first time I won money with gambling.
Let's go to the concert tomorrow night.
It's a rare chance for us to see Oistrakh live. We can buy the best seats with this money.
Why are you upset?
I'm not upset at all.
I just thought it was okay to give you a lot of money for you to waste as you liked.
Earlier, when I was drinking alone at the bar in the casino...
...weird guys tried to pick me up.
They said: "let's go to the music festival together."
And then?
I declined them because I was with my husband.
But they definitely shook my heart a bit.
Apparently, women my age tend to follow their instincts.
- Why are you talking like this? - Nothing specific. There's no reason.
That's a lie.
You are trying to arouse my jealousy in order to make me recover.
But it won't work like that.
Don't...
Stop...
Back then, we didn't do things like this.
Say, let's go to Monte Carlo tonight.
- I thought you hated Monte Carlo? - Yes.
But I want to go somewhere spectacular and lively.
It's a place that is staying in the past.
If visiting places where ghosts might show up entertains you...
- How about Nice? - Not much different.
Let's go to Nice. I want to see a jet aircraft take off.
I wonder why a jet aircraft taking off is so erotic?
Miss?
- Mr. Mizushina! - I knew you were Mr. Oze's wife.
Long time no see.
Last time, we met at painter Hayakawa's house, right?
Yes. Is everything okay with your husband?
I would like to introduce my long time friend, Mr. Morii.
This is Mr. Mizushina, designer. He helps my husband in business a lot.
I'm the one who gets his help. I'm Mizushina, nice to meet you.
And she's Christine.
- It's a pleasure. - It's a pleasure.
Is it okay if we join you?
Please do. We've been a little bit bored too.
Then...
Waiter.
- Cognac, and you? - Cognac.
Two cognacs, please.
Me too.
- Are you staying in Nice? - No.
We’re staying at a small hotel in Menton.
Menton... That's not a very popular place.
- A music festival is going on there, right? - Yes.
Did you come here to attend it?
No, we two are eloping.
- Eloping? - Yes.
- Your husband is not aware? - Of course not.
That's surprising. But that's better for me.
- Actually, my wife doesn't know about my trip either. - I thought so.
That's why I told you the truth.
Ah, I understand. You are very sharp.
What kind of work do you do, Mr. Morii?
Huh?
What is your job?
It's not something steady.
Could it be that I have some kind of a refugee life?
How about this? We have a small apartment on the outskirts of this town.
It's a place with a nice view. Would you like to spend some time there?
- I appreciate it, but... - I would love to accept your offer.
There is no specific place for us to go now.
Isn't it a nuissance for you, Mr. Morii?
No. I... have no problem with that.
Then, it's decided. But I wonder if Christine is okay with it?
I'm sure she's the one that is more excited.
- Did my abrupt behavior upset you? - No, I was a little reluctant, that's all.
- But if you want to, I will not object. - She’s cute.
- Are you talking about Christine? - Yes.
Christine seems interested in you.
And that small sized Leonardo Da Vinci seems to fancy me.
Please, get in.
- Can I sit in the front? - Of course.
Christine, to the back, please.
Go ahead.
Mr. Morii, are you living in Paris at the moment?
That's right.
Earlier, you told me that you haven't visited Japan for ten years.
Yes, I left in 1955.
1955...
A long time ago, indeed.
You can call it a long time, but for me it feels like yesterday.
Wow, so pretty!
The ocean at night looks romantic.
Say, do you want to swim?
- Swim? - Yes.
- I want to swim. - But we don't have swimsuits.
Isn't swimming naked more interesting?
- Christine, shall we go swim? - Bravo!
Christine is delighted.
Okay! Let's swim for a bit then.
What's wrong? Are you tired?
Yes...
How did you end up with Mr. Morii?
We met each other in Paris a few days ago by chance.
I see...
Hadn't I met him...
...I would be spending my days normally and peacefully.
But I met him.
- So, you two are eloping? - That was a joke.
Actually, it's the opposite.
I’m trying to liquidate our beautiful memories from the past...
...by reconfirming his current miserable situation.
And, are you suceeding?
It's not that I cannot understand your reasoning...
...but one thing is missing in that plan.
What do you mean?
Hypothetically, if you are traveling with Mr. Morii to achieve that goal...
...but fail to delete the memories about him, no...
...and discover that he had become a better man from the past and a better human being in general...
...what would you do?
If that happened...
If so...?
If that really happened, what would become of me?
Maybe that’s what you really want from the bottom of your heart, isn't it?
I quit my high school and worked at a furniture factory for two years.
And with the money from the meals there...
...I boarded on a ship to Southeast Asia and headed to Europe by hitchhiking.
Working and traveling at the same time. After 2 years, I arrived at Stockholm...
...so I decided to settle down there and work.
I applied for a work visa and worked at a furniture company
In the meantime, I became interested in furniture design.
After eight years in Stockholm...
...I received a design award in a design competition held in Belgium.
We became friends then. Her father helped me establish my own business.
Because he was a well known banker...
What are you talking about?
My success story.
Give me one too, please.
Christine is tireless. She’s different from other foreign girls I've seen.
That's right. Christine likes the East and Japan.
That's why she enjoys being treated in a Japanese manner.
She's quite unique.
She'll definitely like Mr. Morii.
How come?
Even after living overseas for such a long time...
...he hasn't learned their manners yet.
He's bad at flaterring.
I just can't. Excuse me if I'm rude.
I have to work in a rough environment every day.
Don't worry about it.
You seem to be like a samurai she saw in a dream. She is very impressed.
Wish I had a chonmage.
Christine is always saying...
...that I’m lame because I’m too westernized for a Japanese man.
May I ask about your work?
Go ahead. I think I can talk freely because my work is the exact opposite of yours.
I want to hear it.
I’m engaged in a kind of political movement.
It’s an extended version of the students' movements with which I was involved in Japan.
At the same time, it has a different nature from them, politically.
She used to be my comrade in the past.
The crucible of hatred is red-hot
Let's forge iron swords
I escaped from Czechia by car and went to West Germany.
- Then, how did you end up in Paris? - It was when the May Revolution happened.
Mr. Morii, you’re an international revolutionary.
Is he qualified to be a proper revolutionary?
At the moment, he’s nothing more than a tramp without nationality.
Or perhaps just a fallen womanizer.
It seems you drank a bit too much, Miss.
Why don't we go to the bridge in the garden? You can see Nice’s night scenery.
I wonder what those two are doing now?
You're expecting something to happen between Mr. Morii and Christine, aren’t you?
You too, right?
Christine likes that type of Japanese.
And you took an interest in me.
You are very sexy. I've thought that way since I met you in Tokyo.
And then?
Go on and touch me.
I like doing it with my clothes on.
Nice’s night scenery is not pretty at all. It looks like a dead town.
- It is a dead town. - Why?
You can’t find any young couples here.
It's a combination of ugly old men who got lucky with money...
...and young girls who have nothing but their youth.
Apart from them, there are lonely old people playing... in the casino...
...showing empty expressions on their faces.
There is nothing to invent. No new things are produced.
- It’s a town that has already died. - I hate it.
But soon we will be like that.
- Me too? - That’s right.
It tickles...
- Could you do it to me too? - No.
- Why? - I don't like it.
Okay then...
Apparently, Christine made advances on Mr. Morii.
- He can't do it. - Uh?
No way...
At least, not in front of me.
In many cases, it's possible if the partner changes.
I don't think that's the case.
- Are you jealous? - No.
Everybody should have sex freely.
Would you meet me again later to enjoy the free activity between humans?
Once you get used to it, the ethical, old-fashioned anxiety will disappear.
If you get used to it, what's the point in doing such a thing?
It's not like that.
I’m talking about the possibility that we might become even freer than now.
Your concept of freedom is four people having sex with different partners in a room.
Sometimes, four people can even do it at the same time.
Stop it, please.
Let's go.
No!
- Just one last time. - You've had enough.
- Did you sleep with her? - Yes.
Were you able to do it?
I was. I didn't expect it.
I see.
And you?
I let him do it. That's all.
What's the difference between Christine and me?
There was no human emotion between her and me.
I wonder if there is something human between you and me.
Let's not talk about this.
- Have you heard this song? - No.
It’s very popular in Paris right now.
What's its title?
"Everyone remains the same like in the past". I wonder if I can translate it.
"There were evenings where I thought you changed..."
"...but you're still the same, like always."
"There is nothing new in this world."
"Human beings die like that, repeating the same stupid mistakes."
"Once you figure out this fact, there are no such things as dreams."
"At the very least, I will live my life for as long as I want."
In summary, those are the lyrics.
I wonder how happy I'd be.
If only everything remained the same like back then...
...nothing would have to change.
You keep saying that things have changed. To me, nothing has changed at all.
- Hey... - What is it?
- Carry me on your back. - Alright.
Be careful!
- What happened to your feet? - He made me do a difficult pose.
- He? - Yes, Mizushina.
We did it standing at the terrace. It was a first time for me.
- It was very stimulating though. - Enough with that.
How was Christine?
That's mean!
I should throw you out of the window, but I'll show you mercy tonight.
Okay. Come here and hug me.
I'll kill you!
Stop!
Help me!
- What happened? - Nothing.
What's wrong?
I can't.
How did you do it with Christine?
Was she the one who seduced you?
No, I did.
Why?
I wanted to make sure if I could do it.
That's so silly.
How are you feeling? You had high fever last night.
- I’m alright. - You should take some medicine.
Yes.
Your eyes are very red. You couldn't sleep last night, right?
I’m getting you a new towel.
You're such a dangerous person.
I think you'll completely overthrow the life I currently have.
So what?
- Are you going to kill me? - I want to.
- I'm serious. - What if you killed me?
I could go back to a peaceful life with my husband.
Alright, I’ll die then.
If you want, you can cut my wrist with this razor.
Make it look like I did it by myself.
- Are you okay with dying? - Yes.
What about the organization?
Death makes everything come to an end.
Politics and revolution would be over.
- You wouldn't say that back then. - It's different now.
I'm not a student with dreams anymore.
You don't make it clear to me. You don't show it clearly to me.
That's why I’m suffering now.
Because of that, my life is being jeopardized.
What do you want me to do, then?
You already know it.
There aren't many days left for us anymore.
- You said your husband is returning to Paris. - That's right.
What will you do after meeting him?
I will go back to Tokyo with him.
- And then? - Live without thinking about anything.
Eat, sleep, wear fashionable clothes...
...live in a comfortable house. Living just like a panda in a zoo.
I don't think I would appreciate that kind of life.
Why can't humans live like animals in a zoo?
I'm not saying they can't.
A lot of people live like beasts already.
Even politicians and businessmen.
Wouldn't you prefer to live as livestock? You wouldn't harm others that way.
"Wolfs live, pigs die." I always complain every time I hear that old saying.
Actually, I think living like pigs is much better.
Can humans manage to live like that for a long time?
At least, I could, but with one condition.
I would have to totally erase the concept of "hope".
As a matter of fact...
...I was almost being successful in that lifestyle until I met you.
Today, I saw a foreign boy masturbating.
What did you say?
Huh?
It's nothing.
Shall we go to the music festival tonight?
Uh?
It’s been a while since I wanted to listen to music.
I'm scared...
- Walk like you're not minding anything. - Are you sure this is the way?
Is this the route to the famous concert?
We must be approaching the Church.
Let me ask.
Excuse me, Mister, is this the way to go to the St. Michel's Church?
You're going to the festival?
Yes.
- Do you have tickets? - No.
You can't enter then. The tickets were sold out for one year.
Is that true?
Yes, but, what are your resources?
All it takes.
Come, then.
She's beautiful. Is she your lover?
Yes.
Is she your wife?
I love to sleep with American girls.
Last time, I met five. They gave me 100 dollars each time.
Tell me, how much does she give you?
Oh, I would sleep with her for free.
- Is the church still far? - Not at all. 100 meters.
Who are those two?
- They're writers. - You're doing another stunt?
Ah, shut up.
We came for the festival. Where's the Church?
You've got money? 200 francs per person. It's very cheap!
They are special seats. 200 francs is not really expensive.
Don't move. Come this way.
What should we do?
Let's do what he says.
- Let's escape. - It'll be fine.
- There's no need to worry. - We can run.
Just do what I say.
- What is your plan exactly? - I'm taking you to the festival.
Tonight, you're getting the best seats of the festival.
Here you go.
This must be St. Michel's Church.
Do you see the cape over there? It's already Italy.
Every summer, there are famous virtuosos that come here.
For example, Kemp...
...Richter, Gilels... and some years ago, Rubinstein.
- These are really the best seats. - Indeed.
You have the rich at your feet. They come from everywhere.
New York, Rome, Paris, by boat, by jet, by Maserati, by Ferrari...
...even by helicopter.
See how they're dressed. With smokings.
They have such curious faces. They are complete jerks.
It's a festival for jerks.
Rostropovich!
It's him, no doubt.
I'm not sure since I only saw him in photos, but I guess you're right.
What?
I'm talking about Rostropovich.
The famous soviet violoncellist.
He is an artist loved by common people.
When I was a poor student, I listened to a record of his until it broke.
A virtuoso? He must have a lot of cash.
He was captured by the Nazis during the war with Germany.
The high officials and guards wanted to listen to his music.
So they respectfully asked him to play for them, but he refused to do it.
They were angry, so they made him work in harsh conditions. But he kept refusing till the end.
It’s a well-known episode.
Here you go. You've payed, so I'm leaving.
Have fun!
It's going to start.
It's Prokofiev.
He plays Prokofiev in such an unaffected way.
That's right. When you become that old, you don't really care about...
...bragging about your skill and talent to others.
Suite No. 5 by Johann Sebastian Bach.
He's going to play Bach's Suite No. 5 in C Minor.
Say, what is this sound?
Be quiet.
It was my first time listening to Rostropovich in twenty years.
Also, I felt like I forgot about this feeling for so long.
I haven't been this excited in a long time.
You can't be a grown up forever.
Weren't you touched by his performance?
- I wasn't. - Why are you angry?
You were touched, but I wasn't That's all there is to it.
An artist loved by common people? He didn't play for the fascists...
...but came here, all the way from Moscow, to perform like a machine in front of bourgeois.
And you were touched by his performance? I don't understand.
That's too harsh. Whatever you say, it was incredible.
At least, while listening to the performance, I felt genuinely liberated and free.
- I think whoever listens to Bach feels the same. - I didn't feel anything!
Huh?
I was looking at him the whole time.
- Who? - That sexy man.
Do you know what that guy and girl were doing in the room during the concert?
Stop tormenting yourself! It only makes you miserable.
That's true, but...
What kind of other truths are there? Revolution...
...relationships, pleasure and the lifeless lifestyle you mentioned earlier. Nothing is certain.
The most certain and definite thing is death.
Have you lived your life only with that thought in mind?
I have.
No, more specifically, since we met in Paris and started our trip.
Either I'll die or you will.
No matter how different our lives are, death will connect us.
When I finally face death, I'll certainly remember what it was like to be with you.
I’ve told you before. I can die for you.
You're splendid for the first time.
- You're going to the airport, right? - That's right.
Don’t you want to return to Japan?
- No. - Why?
I already got used to my current lifestyle.
There must be a lot of people like you all over the world.
Yes...
- Is there something I can do for you? - There isn’t.
For example, giving you all the money in my pocket.
Your kindness is enough.
- That guy is here. - Who?
Mizushina from before.
- Do you want to greet him? - If he notices us.
- What is it? - No.
- It's nothing. - Say it.
Between him and me, who did you prefer?
You...
- For real? - Yes.
You were the best, among all the other men I have met.
Last night was the best.
Ladies and gentlemen, we're arriving soon at Orly, Paris.
The external temperature is 19ºC and it's raining.
We hope that you had a nice flight and the crew of Air France hopes to see you soon.
It's raining.
It's raining on land.
We’re approaching Paris. What are you going to do tonight?
Tonight...
I'm going back to the hotel where my husband is.
It's cold. Too cold for summer.
It’s not that cold. Are you having a fever?
You have a high fever. Isn't it aching?
Not much. I just feel cold, that's all.
Maybe you caught a cold. Are you alright?
Yes...
This rain is unpleasant...
Are you alright?
I'm alright.
We're here again.
Sorry, I'll rest for a bit and go back to the hotel after feeling better.
Don't worry about trivial things.
Do you have an aspirin?
- I do. - Please.
- I only have one. - That's okay.
- Let’s take your temperature. - No.
Don't be childish.
I hate thermometers.
What do I do with you?
Rostropovich, right?
What about Rostropovich?
It was fantastic. Forgive me.
For messing up the mood with my careless words.
It's okay.
Maybe I paid too much attention to the performance. For a long time...
...my mind had not afforded the luxury of enjoying music.
Actually, I've lived an ethically correct but cornered life.
Interrogating people, sleeping with a gun in my hand, hiding for a long time...
And, soon, I will be going back to that world.
My mind might not afford the luxury of enjoying music again for ten years from now on.
No, it won't ever again.
I understand.
But, that time, you were very touched.
And your impressed face was so beautiful.
You should take a quick nap. The fever should go away after that.
Yes, turn off the light.
- Say... - Yes?
- You're not sleeping? - No.
Tonight, I will be awake beside you.
What were you saying earlier? "Never again", what?
I said I may not have the chance to listen to music ever again.
What do you mean by that?
You will know one day.
Or it might disappear without you knowing.
Okay then, I won't ask.
- I'm going out for a bit. - Where are you going?
What's wrong?
Did you forget the keys?
Mr. Morii, please?
No!
Can you speak english?
No.
He's gone for an errand.
He'll come back in a moment.
Well, Morii... I'm searching for him.
He's not here?
I'm persistent... Very persistent.
I'll find him and then he'll come.
Who are you?
Kyoko?
- When did she arrive? - Just now.
I see...
It seems she came here to pick me up.
What's going on? Where are you going?
- I don't know... - Morii, I'm searching you since morning.
Everyone is waiting for you downstairs. You must come with me.
Understood.
I may not return tonight.
I've called my doctor friend to check your fever.
If it gets worse, call him to your hotel.
You're leaving with this person, right?
Her comrades are waiting outside.
They seem to have been looking for me this morning.
We will never see each other again, right?
I think so.
Thank you.
I will be questioned and interrogated now.
It's been quiet for a year. I didn't know it would happen yesterday.
But when you asked me to go on a trip together, I somehow felt it was about time.
- I have no regrets. - Come, let's go.
They're waiting downstairs. You know why?
Richard and Pierre were caught by the police.
They shot that Zionist pig that came to France to buy mirrors.
They came to your house for help, but they found the door closed.
What were you doing all that time? Well...
It doesn't matter anymore. Anyway, everyone is waiting for you. Let's go.
- Leo is coming too? - Yes, of course.
Leo was a loyal friend of Pierre.
He's furious. He suspects you're a spy.
- I'm not a spy! - You'll explain that to Leo.
What'll you do if I don't go?
That's impossible.
I know... But don't say it like that!
Let's go!
It was a nice trip.
Reiko Asō (Kyoko Oze) Ado Satō (Juzō Morii) Noboru Matsuhashi (Kenzō Mizushina)
Patricia Bourdrel (Christine) Guy Durante (Man with a Knife) Caroline Gabrielle (Woman from Poland)
THE END