Scandal (醜聞)

A SHOCHIKU PRODUCTION

SCANDAL

Developed by SOJIRO MOTOKI Produced by TAKASHI KOIDE

Screenplay by AKIRA KUROSAWA, RYUZO KIKUSHIMA

Director of Photography TOSHIO UBUKATA

Production Design by TATSUO HAMADA

Music by FUMIO HAYASAKA

Costumes by BUNJIRO SUZUKI

Starring

TOSHIRO MIFUNE YOSHIKO YAMAGUCHI

YOKO KATSURAGI, NORIKO SENGOKU SAKAE OZAWA, TAKASHI SHIMURA

SHINICHI HIMORI, KOJI MITSUI ICHIRO SHIMIZU, FUMIKO OKAMURA

MASAO SHIMIZU, TANIE KITABAYASHI SUGISAKU AOYAMA

KOKUTEN KODO KICHIJIRO UEDA, BOKUZEN HIDARI

TAIJI TONOYAMA, JUNJI MASUDA TAKASHI KANDA, MINORU CHIAKI

Directed by AKIRA KUROSAWA

You an artist, mister?

Don't I look it?

Lots of artists come here to paint.

But you're the first I ever saw come on a motorcycle.

Is that so strange?

Well, it is a little peculiar.

And so is your painting.

Mount Kumotori looks like it's dancing.

Mountains move.

Huh?

If you look closely enough, they move.

You're right. It's moving.

Right?

Nonsense! How can a mountain move?

Do you know

That southern land

Where the trees bear fruit

And the flowers bloom

Where the breeze is —

Anyway, I've never seen a painting in this style.

Of course it won't look like anybody else's.

I have my own style.

Do you ask advice on how to make love to your wife?

That's a good one!

How do I get to Kaminoyu?

Go straight ahead to the bus route.

Turn north there.

Is it far?

Just a little way.

"A little way" probably means three miles.

Why didn't you come by bus?

It was three hours until the next one.

Then leave your suitcase here.

I'll bring it to you later. I'm staying at Kaminoyu too.

I like it here.

It's too red. Mount Kumotori ain't that red.

Shut up, old man. I see it as bright red.

That's how it is in my mind's eye.

Is that how artists work?

Hey, why don't you wait a while? I'll give you a lift.

So that's Miyako Saijo, the famous singer?

Well, I'll be!

She hates being photographed.

Is the guy with her?

No, they took separate rooms.

She says she refuses to be photographed.

We already know that.

That's why we need your help —

I did my best.

Please, ask her again. We can't go back empty-handed.

What a bother!

We may have to stay overnight.

Is there enough in the budget?

Excuse me.

Oh, hello!

Thanks for the lift. You saved me a long walk.

Not at all. Mind if I come in?

All right, though I'm not properly dressed.

Neither am I.

Please don't bother.

May I smoke? - Yes.

Aren't you Miyako Saijo?

I couldn't place you until I heard the maids gabbing.

You have such big eyes.

I forgot to introduce myself. Ichiro Aoe. I'm a painter.

Yes, now I remember.

I read about you in an art magazine.

About my bike?

And how I imitate Vlaminck?

Those writers are all copycats, so they assume everyone else is too.

What I love about bikes is that sense of not giving a damn.

It feels good to be rude!

Did you come here for a little break?

Yes. I've had to deal with so many annoyances.

That's the price you pay for being so famous.

It must be tiring having people gape at you.

It's crowded in the summer, but now's a good time to be here.

If you have a chance tomorrow,

take a look at the small marsh nearby.

It's a remarkable green,

at times almost like jade.

Those trees over there —

you see them?

Beyond those dark cedars.

What was that sound?

Sounded like a camera shutter. Newlyweds, probably.

Separate rooms, eh?

What a scoop!

Hey, boss, how about some champagne?

It's only a scandal if he's famous.

If he's just a nobody...

we'll be drinking moonshine.

Well?

They look like they're posing.

The two towels on the railing are perfect,

like a prop man hung them there.

What do you think, boss?

Damn it!

I can't stand women who act all innocent,

then do this behind closed doors.

But who's the man?

It seems I've seen him somewhere.

Why didn't you ask the innkeeper?

We heard he's a painter.

Yeah, some nut with a motorcycle —

I've got it! It's Ichiro Aoe.

Aoe? Does that mean moonshine or champagne?

Champagne!

Print an extra 10,000. - But —

Have someone write it up: "Singer and Artist on Romantic Getaway."

"Love on a Motorcycle!"

But shouldn't we check —

Stop worrying.

It doesn't matter if it's bull — once it's in print, the public believes it.

Besides, the picture proves it.

You know what the idols of the age are?

Photos and the printed word!

AMOUR MAGAZINE SENSUAL THRILLS

MIYAKO SAIJO'S SECRET LOVE! IN AMOUR'S DECEMBER ISSUE!

LOVE ON A MOTORCYCLE! MIYAKO SAIJO'S LOVER REVEALED!

Do you know who the lover of dramatic singer Miyako Saijo is?

If you want all the news on this hot topic,

pick up Amour's December issue before it sells out!

Amour, please.

Sorry, sold out.

Come look!

Ichiro Aoe!

Nisshin Printers? This is Amour Publications.

Please print another 10,000 copies of the December issue.

We'll supply the paper.

Yes, thank you.

We're set, boss.

Let's have a big party at the hot springs.

I'd prefer my three months' back pay.

Hey, don't be a wet blanket!

You'll get that, and maybe a bonus too.

Thanks to my trusty Leica.

Why so glum?

- You sure it's safe, boss? - What?

I mean, it's okay if we printed the truth —

What? You wrote it!

Only because you forced me to.

I just made things up.

A love affair's a love affair.

Details don't matter.

What if they complain?

We'll bury an apology where people won't see it.

- What if they sue? - We'll sell 10,000 more copies!

Don't be such a pessimist.

This isn't the first scandal we've covered.

Has anyone sued us yet? Nobody's even protested.

- I guess not. - Quit worrying!

The kinds of snobs we target

think the law is beneath them,

even when they have a case.

They just get self-righteous and look down on us.

Show me the magazine.

Mr. Aoe? Please step inside.

Hey, get us some tea!

Tea, sir.

- Who's in charge here? - I am, sir. Nice to —

ARTIST SLUGS AMOUR PUBLISHER!

I was bowing when he just hit me without a word.

I'll fight for freedom of the press!

I was wrong to resort to violence,

but hitting isn't the only form of violence.

That story was much worse. It's the modern equivalent

of cutting someone down on the street!

If you ask me, Aoe's a sore loser.

I say you reap what you sow.

I regret to say that I am not Miss Saijo's lover.

The whole story is a lie.

Would I hide such a beautiful lover?

My motto is, "Always report the whole truth."

Is the story true?

One look at that picture will give you your answer.

Five minutes after that picture was taken,

I went back to my room and had two beers.

I had dinner, bathed, and went to sleep.

That's the entire story.

If Amour refuses to print a retraction,

I'll sue for damages.

Isn't it odd, though?

Aoe's the only one making a fuss.