Reunion (Itai: Asu e no tôka kan)

"This film is based on events and facts that a journalist witnessed firsthand."

"City of Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture"

"March 11, 2011"

"Nakatsuma Kita District Community Firefighting Center"

Wow, you've gotten so good. Definitely.

You can compete in the Olympic Games.

My dream is to take you all to the Olympic Games.

We'll do a training camp at the hot springs.

Show me your stomach.

Look at all that extra flab.

Your fever is gone. You can go back to school on Monday.

Do you do any sports?

Swimming.

So you caught a cold?

- I haven't been going. - Oh yeah?

This is a notice for your health checkup.

Next week on the 14th and 15th at the municipal center.

You can get tested for colon cancer.

I can't be bothered.

Don't say that. Just go.

We want to improve the field condition.

And expand the stands.

I'll raise the funds. I promise you.

This is Kamaishi. We're famous for rugby.

We want a stadium we can be proud of.

Rinse your mouth.

You're done now.

See you again.

We're almost there.

Your son's coming back for spring break?

Your grandson must have grown.

You have to make them a feast.

I know.

This year's seaweed is excellent with ponzu sauce.

It goes great with beer.

Her grandson is in elementary school.

It's just beer.

You can't make the booking with us.

Gateball is more like a sport than welfare for the aged.

Of course we offer services for the aged.

But...

Stop eating and work.

I'll give you the number.

I want to talk to you about traffic safety

after a bathroom break.

Here goes my special serve.

See what I mean?

"14:46"

"A magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck the Tohoku and Kanto regions"

"triggering tsunami waves that reached up to 40 meters in height."

"The seaside district of Kasshi River, which runs through Kamaishi"

"was devastated by the waves."

"The mountain side of the river remained safe."

The power's out.

Is anybody here?

What happened?

We can't go home.

Why not?

The tunnel to the seaside is closed.

We've been hit by a tsunami.

Tsunami?

A huge one.

It swallowed the seaside district.

It's finished.

What do you mean?

I ran up a hill so I'm alive but the town is destroyed.

Destroyed.

- It's horrible. - What's going on?

The tsunami swept everyone away.

Doctor...

The prefectural police is here.

What a mess...

Can I help you?

The earthquake triggered a tsunami.

Tsunami...

We lost power, so no TV.

It destroyed the whole seaside district.

A lot of people are dead.

About how many?

We're not sure. The bodies will be taken to the morgue.

Will you help us examine them starting tomorrow?

I can't get through.

Hiraga!

Hiraga!

Hiraga!

There you are.

Oikawa!

You too. Come here.

Watch your step.

Hiraga, your wife?

She's fine.

Good, good.

How are your families?

They fled up a hill.

My parents are in Tohno.

The damage is bigger than we thought.

The police and the firefighters said there are too many bodies.

A temporary morgue will be set up in the old middle school.

Temporary morgue?

The city has to manage it.

It's your job now.

We need more help in the evacuation shelters.

"March 12"

We're from the city office.

We came to transport the bodies to the temporary morgue.

The tunnel is closed. There's nothing but debris on the other side.

Let's walk.

We'll go on foot.

"Temporary morgue"

Hello.

Hello.

What is this?

Stop complaining!

Hip joint, complete rigor.

Get me a blue sheet!

What on earth is this?

Body discovered in Omachi 1-124.

What about this one?

Get some more water!

Left hip joint, complete rigor.

We're finished.

This has to be moved.

We need help.

Just horrible...

Got it?

Wait... Gently...

This is terrible.

There will be more bodies.

A hundred... No. Probably over 1,000.

So many?

What is this sheet? He's not a toy!

People are here to look for their families.

You... Are you from the city office?

Their families are here.

How long are you keeping them here?

Somebody, do something.

I don't know.

Why not?!

Did you break a bone?

No...

You have to massage the joints to straighten them.

Don't step over the bodies!

This is horrible.

What is everyone doing?

- Don't let go! - It's wet!

- Just do it! - I am!!

Stop it!

Oh no...

Get me a cover for this.

Yes, sir.

This is really serious.

Let's set her down.

Slowly...

So heavy, just like concrete.

She swallowed seawater. Keep her level, okay?

Who's coordinating the medical units?

Excuse me...

- No water in the hospital. - They get priority.

- A child suffering hypothermia. - In Otadakoe-cho?

The fire station was swept away.

Somebody, go there on foot!

Mr. Mayor...

I'm glad you're okay.

I stopped by at the temporary morgue.

The doctor is already examining the remains

but nothing else is functioning.

"Not functioning"?

Nobody knows how to treat the remains.

It's chaos in there.

People are coming to look for their families.

Many people are coming. There will be more.

I think much more.

And... From now...

You have to coordinate with the funeral homes.

That's what has to be done.

You worked in one, right?

Yes, until 3 years ago.

Mr. Mayor...

I'd like to work in the temporary morgue.

We're here.

She's carrying a baby.

Matsuda...

Doctor...

You went to the seaside?

There was nothing left.

Nothing?

Only debris from the houses that were torn apart.

Furniture and dishes were everywhere and

shelves and refrigerators and roofs were piled on top.

A car was sticking out from the second floor.

Seawater, gasoline, sewage... The stench was horrible.

Rescue operations are still going on, right?

There are...

No survivors.

Number 21, finished.

Take away Number 26. It's finished.

Doctor, thanks for coming.

- Where should I go? - This way.

The bodies are numbered.

They've been examined and