A Woman's Life (女の歴史)

Producers: FUJIMOTO Sanezumi KANEKO Masakatsu

Screenplay: KAZAHARA Kazuo

Photography: YASUMOTO Jun Production Design: CHUKO Satoshi

Light: ISHII Choushirou Music: SAITO Ichiro

Assistant director: KAWANISHI Masazumi

Processing: Kinuta Laboratory LTD.

Directed by: NARUSE Mikio

"Shimizu Beauty Saloon"

- Another car wreck? - There've been a lot lately.

One can no longer walk on the street.

- I'm ready. - Very well.

- Look, a little higher. - Very well.

...he's a good man, had working...

...but he loves women so much, that he has insulted me.

Why have you done this to me? Why have you done this to me?

Grandmother.

Eat, or I won't be able to clear the table.

Yes, yes, alright, I'm going.

Know what? Kohei fell asleep and left without beakfast.

If he goes on like this, he'll fall ill.

Don't worry, he's still young.

He could be a little more formal.

That's for sure, but selling cars is not easy.

He also has his own problems to deal with.

- Well? Has he signed? - No...

The car was in a very bad shape and he wanted more money.

It happens. They're stingy.

I looked for clients on my way back, maybe I could make a sale.

How lucky you are having a car. You can go wherever you want.

Shimizu, please come here.

Yes?

- Do you know Hayashi, from Toyo taxis? - Yes, he's one of our clients.

- He'll be promoted head of sales. - Oh yes?

He called me to let me know.

I'll have to take him out to celebrate. I've already made reservations for tonight

- You'll come also. - Very well. What about Hironaka?

Yes, you both come. This Hayashi, he likes saké, doesn't he?

Yes, he's got a stomach for it.

After dinner, I'll leave him to you, youngsters.

Very well.

Beauty! You are wonderful!

Come on, stop it. Come here.

Come here, I'm telling you!

- There's no solution to this. - What company is he with?

- Come on, hang on. - Midori, I've got to go piss.

That way.

- Kohei, aren't you drinking? - No, a bottle's enough.

Of course, you're driving. That's a pain in the ass. Want some?

I ain't hungry anymore.

- Don't insist, it's useless. - A pity.

Help me, darling! He's way out of line!

What's the matter?

He's heavy. He wants me to with him tonight.

- He's a very important client. - Are you asking me to say yes?

Come on, don't get mad. I'll drive him home.

- Come with me. - With you, to the end of the world.

Kohei is really late...

He must be with a client.

He always calls to let me know he's late.

Well, maybe he forgot.

Grandmother, please, stop defending him.

Come on, he's not a child anymore.

Step on it, darling.

It's so pleasant!

- At this speed, we'll be in Yokohama. - We'll go wherever you want!

OK!

If I think about it, Kohei has the same age...

...my husband had when we got married.

He was the eldest son of the Shimizu, from the river sawmill.

It was a typical convenience marriage.

Their matchmaker pressed on so much that...

- Hasn't the car still got here? - No.

- Go wait for it in the street. - Yes!

- What hour was he due at? - Stay calm, we've still got time.

Nobu-chan, you've found such a good husband!

The Shimizu have a good reputation and make a lot of money on the stock market.

- Such a sublime fiancée! - It's normal, seeing how beautiful she is

You must be pleased with your new sister-in-law.

Grandmother, don't say that.

- It's time to talk to your father. - Talk to him?

- Of course, to say goodbye to him. - I'm ashamed.

What're you talking about? It only happens once in a lifetime.

If you're ready, let's go.

- Your daughter has something to you. - What is it?

Father, thank you very much...

...for all these years.

What got into you? We're just going on the next street.

- The car's here! - Alright! Come on, we're leaving!

Can't you be more kind with your daughter?

Alright, we have to go.

Congratulations for your marriage.

Thank you very much.

And now, after the show, you can eat and speak.

- Let's toast. - Thank you.

I'm very happy.

Me also. I hope my daughter will do good.

Nonsense. It's my son who'll have to work hard.

At work, he spends his days reading novels.

I'm sure that Nobuko, who's so well brought up, will be strict.

My wife's very happy...

- Kohei is stiff like a stick. - I'm sure it's because he's happy.

- As his wish has been fulfilled... - True.

And now, in the name of the bridegroom's friends,

...Akimoto-san will say a few words. Please.

My name is Akimoto Takaji. Shimizu, congratulations.

We've been friends since high schol.

And now, we're working in the same company.

You're the first of my friends to get married, but that's not all.

It's been a long time you've been chasing Nobuko.

She's beautiful and intelligent.

I envy you so much that I've decided not to get married until...

...I find a fiancée better than yours.

And now, I'll sing an old Yosano Tekkan song.

How I'd like to be able to have...

...an intelligent woman, beautiful and tender...

And wise friends,

...gallant and passionate...

Are you hungry?

No.

You still haven't eaten anything. D'you want anything?

- No, thank you, but... - No, I don't either.

I'm sure you don't remember...

...the first time we've met.

It was in the train.

It was graduation day, and you held your diploma in your hands.

We then saw each other more often.

At the bus stop, isn't it?

Yes...

I can't even remember how many times I tried giving you a letter.

I was writing in my diary all I wanted to say to you...

It still hasn't sunk in that we've got married.

As a matter of fact, I don't go along too well with my father.

And I don't want to go on in his line.

When I'll afford, I'll rent a house in the suburbs and we'll move there.

D'you agree?

Yes.

If I may...

I've come to make the bed.

The clothes are here.

Where is the bathroom?

At the end of the hallway, on the right.

I'll be taking a bath, then.

"Shimizu Beauty Saloon"

Well!

- Where d'you know him from? - He's my son.

- Your son? Really? - Yes.

- Well, I see him very often! - How come?

- He comes with his colleagues. - Where d'you work?

- In Shinjuku, "Suwani" cabaret. - In a cabaret?

He stayed for the whole show last night. Tell him Otoki has come back.

Your mother was worried.

Where were you last night?

He played mah-jong with his friends.

I wasn't asking you.

- Come on, tell me. - Grandmother has already told you.

- Why didn't you call? - I didn't realise how late it was.

Awake all night...

You're very pale. It can't do you any good.

I'm a grown-up and I know what I'm doing.

Please, stop treating me like a child.

- You're going out again? - Yes, there's a client I have to see.

- Can I have 5,000 yen? - Always the same thing.

Otherwise, I won't be able to work.

You're such a squanderer.

Stop it. When I'll be rich I'll buy you a new shop.

In Shinjuku or in Ginza.

Flatterer!

You don't believe it? Wait and see.

You'll be home early today, won't you?

Think so.

He's more and more like his grandfather. He'll surely make it!

That's not alright, why are you opening it?

It's so dirty it must have scared you.

That's why I told you not to come...

- You've got everything. - I like staying in.

- You've really got no one? - Don't talk nonsense!

- I wouldn't be living here if I had. - Alright, don't get mad.

I told you yesterday what happened to me before working in the cabaret, didn't I?

Do you really think he gave up?

If this punk comes after me, I'll call the police.

He doesn't scare me at all.

I'[m coming from Fuji. I hadn't seen him in a long time.

- And he gave me this picture. - What picture?

Isn't she beautiful, or what?

Grandmother... There really is no hurry at all.

I know, I agree. But Fuji insisted I take it.

- What d'you think of the girl? - What d'you want me to tell you?

Look, you'd say she's that singer going on Tv.

The one you said you liked so much.

- She looks like her, doesn't she? - No, not at all.

What family is she from?

She's the daughter of the owner or of the director of the company...

Well... In one word, she's loaded.

Grandmother don't keep me. I'm busy.

"Shimizu Beauty Saloon"

Fish, coloured fish!

This is the one I like.

I want the same.

Madame Yoshi wants this one. What d'you think?

Will I look good in it?