Zero (精神0)

Observational Film #9 by Kazuhiro Soda

- Thank you. - Sure.

Mr. Kaneda.

Excuse me.

I'm Soda... Actually, I filmed you for "Mental".

- Do you remember me? - I do, I do.

Thank you.

I'm making a documentary on Dr. Yamamoto now.

If you don't mind, I'd like to film your session.

- I'm OK. How about you, Mum? - Sure.

Is it OK? Thank you very much.

Hello.

These days, when I see you...

When I see you, I record our conversation

so I can recall your words every day.

I'm now practising your advice to "place myself at zero".

For example, when I want a new CD or a new manga I'm collecting

I try to "place myself at zero".

But it's tough.

It must be.

You want CDs but you can't buy them...

Right, I want to feel better by fulfilling my desire

but I stop myself.

And it's tough.

What do you do then?

I try to resist my desire...

placing myself at zero like a monk.

I see.

You know,

you can't do that every day.

Maybe once a week

you can decide to place yourself at zero for a day

or to live here and now.

Do I make that decision?

Yes, it's you who decides

to keep-your desire down for a day.

But, you once told me to do what I want.

But then, I desire more.

But you also told me to place myself at zero.

So I'm totally confused.

You're right. They contradict.

So what am I supposed to do?

Basically, you need to cherish your desire.

But in reality, it's hard to realize what you want.

You can't fly even if you really want to, can you?

I see.

You wish it's going to be sunny, but it could rain.

Your wishes often can't be realized.

But you don't have to change your wish.

You can still wish for it to be sunny.

And when it rains, you're disappointed,

and the life goes on.

That's how we all live, no?

And that's OK.

But once a week

maybe you just stop wishing anything at all.

You simply stop it.

"Today, I'm just alive. I'm thankful for that."

You mean, I can usually seek what I want?

What?

You mean, from day-to-day I can...

Yes, you should cherish what you want.

But just once a week, you simply forget about them

so you can be thankful for what you have.

When you eat meals, you can be thankful that you can eat.

Some people can't even eat, you know?

We can be thankful for our meals when we place ourselves at zero.

I understand.

We feel good when we feel thankful.

No?

On a day you decided to place yourself at zero,

What if I hit your face?

And you say "ouch!"

You may get angry.

But it's a day you placed yourself at zero.

You can tell yourself,

"I'm glad I can feel the pain. It means I'm alive."

You see?

You may not like being hit, but you can still be thankful.

You can create such a day.

It's considered to be helpful for modern people's mental health.

Really.

Because everybody's too greedy, no?

I see...

Dr. Yamamoto...

Your words guide me 24/7 but I understand you're retiring...

So I'm wondering...

if you could give me any last words.

I'd like to tell you

I really respect that

you've made such extraordinary efforts

to survive until today.

Really.

I know your mother and father helped you too,

but it was you who did the toughest work.

You endured the matter of life and death.

Didn't you?

I recognize your parents' efforts,

but it was you who endured the most.

That's why you're here now.

I'd like to thank you.

Really.

You made me realize how great a human being could be.

My father also fought for me...

I want to thank my parents...

Well...

Nobody endured more than you.

You did more than your parents or me.

Nobody can do more than the patient himself.

In this day and age,

if you're sick,

it's so tough to live.

Really.

People are harsh, no?

People are so selfish bullying each other.

So your being alive is already an accomplishment.

Zero

Dr. Masatomo Yamamoto is retiring from the clinical field

so this will basically be his commemorative lecture.

Dr. Yamamoto is widely known for the film "Mental".

He is a pioneer who created the foundation for

the community-based mental health care in Okayama.

Good morning.

You may know this if you've taken care of the elderly until the end

but old people tend to live longer

when you assume this is the end.

And you repeat that process many times.

My situation is quite similar.

I'm not dead yet

although I delivered my "last message" a while ago.

The other day I dislocated my right shoulder

so it was really inconvenient every day.

And I gradually became depressed.

I started skipping my breakfast and lunch.

It was too hard for me to do anything.

And when my children saw me doing nothing,

they told me,

"You've got to do some exercise," or

"You've got to eat," or

"You should keep your routine."

All kinds of things.

But I know all of that.

The problem is I couldn't do it even if I wanted to.

Then I realized

my patients must be forced to listen to all this nonsense

for many, many years.

When I told this to one of my patients, he said,

"Now you understand us a little."

I think they deserve a lot of respect.

They're unable to do most of what they want

but they endure everything.

The little problem on my shoulder which made me depressed

is no comparison.

But nobody thinks they deserve respect.

And this lack of respect makes their lives even tougher.

That's how I feel.

Thank you so much for everything.

Thank YOU.

Well... I don't want to say your job is done.

You need to live longer

until 90 or 100.

Please stay healthy.

Thank you.

I don't want to cry, so I just want to give you some flowers.

Doctor, I came from Tokyo because Ms. Mori from Hyoronsha Publishing

told me you're the doctor she admires the most.

Thank you for your great lecture.

Wow, you have a baby?

- How old? - Almost 4 months.

- He's big. - Over 4000g when he came out.

Looks healthy.

I was worried he might start crying during your lecture.

Congratulations.

I'm reading your book now. Can I get your autograph?

Coexistence

What's the book?

Dr. Yamamoto and an education scholar co-authored this book.

Masatomo Yamamoto

Can you hold this?

Here.

Good morning.

Is Chorale open?

Ms. Yamamoto, this way.

Could you wait a second?

He'll take you to the daycare.

Ms. Yamamoto, this way.

See you then.

Ms. Yamamoto, this way.

Consultation Room

In terms of my future,

after you retire,

what should I do?

Well...

In terms of medical care in a narrow sense,

what do you want to do?

If you're still practising anywhere, in any capacity,

I'd like to follow you.

Yes.

I see.

Well, I'll keep my cellphone which you can call,