Repast (めし)

TOHO PRODUCTIONS

Participant in 26th Year of Showa Era Arts Festival, 1951

REPAST

Based on the original novel by Fumiko Hayashi

Scenario Supervisor: Yasunari Kawabata

Cast:

Ken Uehara Setsuko Hara

Yukiko Shimazaki Yoko Sugi, Akiko Kazami

Haruko Sugimura Ranko Hanai

Director: Mikio Naruse

"I am moved by the sadness to be found in the simple lives of people...

"...in the limitless space of the universe."

Fumiko Hayashi

This is a neighbourhood on the south side of Osaka.

It says "city" on the map, but it's actually more like the suburbs...

...with a little local railway station.

Nearby, there's a forest with a shrine...

...and numerous meandering alleyways...

...all basking in the early morning sun.

Watch how you go.

Oh, dear.

- Morning. - Good morning.

Darling!

Yuri?

Yuri?

Yuri!

I got married to the man I loved in Tokyo five years ago.

Two years later, we moved to Osaka as my husband got a transfer

I was full of hope and dreams then.

Where did they go?

My husband sits at the table.

And I bring bowls of soup back and forth.

Yesterday, today, tomorrow...

Three hundred and sixty-five days a year, every single morning...

...and every single evening.

Must every woman's life be wasted in the daily routines...

...of the kitchen and the dining room?

Oh, Yuri! There you go.

- Is my breakfast ready yet? - Coming.

That imported rice smells different.

Don't read while you're eating, will you?

The stock prices are showing a steady increase

I suppose some of your colleagues have made profits.

Probably. But some will have made losses, too.

You work for a brokers but don't deal in stock yourself?

- Good morning. Rice for sale. - Not today, thanks.

My husband has lost his job again. Please buy some

I'm ever so sorry, but we've plenty

I see. Some other time, then.

- But we need some, don't we? - Yes, but...

- How much is it? - 160 yen. Far too expensive.

Some street peddler stole a basin from Mrs Yoshida across the street.

No news ever surprises you, does it, dear?

Sometimes.

The clock's stopped again.

It's no good. I'll have to buy a new one.

OBATAKE BROKERAGE

- Good morning. - Morning.

- Morning. - Good morning, sir.

Morning.

- Good morning. - Morning.

You're a smart dresser. Were they expensive?

No, I got them cheap.

You're doing well for yourself.

Hardly. I can't even afford cigarettes anymore.

You should make some money from stocks, Okamoto, for your beautiful wife.

I hope it's not a cold.

- Good morning. - Good morning to you.

- Are you off out? - Yes

I'm going to pray for my son at the temple at Amagasaki.

He's got examinations for work. He needs the Buddha's blessing.

That's very thoughtful of you.

Well, a son is a son.

Good morning.

Good day.

"Morning"? It's almost noon

I suppose mistresses can sleep late, can't they?

Yoshitaro, bring your friend round again, won't you?

For mahjong?

Are you visiting somebody?

I'm looking for the Okamotos' house.

The Okamotos are over here.

Mrs Okamoto! You have a visitor!

- Who's that? - My husband's niece from Tokyo.

She's very pretty, isn't she?

Excuse me.

- Surprised to see me? - What's happened?

I left home.

Well, you better come in.

Yoshitaro!

- You managed to find us, then? - I'm good at finding places.

Do you want a nap? You must be tired.

I slept well on the train.

You're so easy-come-easy-go! So, tell me, what happened?

- How's my uncle? Has he changed? - Well...

I can't wait to see him again.

What time does he get home? Late?

It depends on his work. I'll give him a call, shall I?

Hey, Yoshitaro! Where do you think you're going?

- Surprise! - What are you doing here?

Welcome home. She says she's left home.

- Eh? - I'm not a kid anymore.

- You left secretly? - Naturally.

I bet your parents are worried

I wired them.

She's having second thoughts about marriage.

Do you think that they've received the wire already?

Missing them already?

It's the first time I've done this.

Just don't make a habit of it!

What a surprise! I can't believe you're old enough to get married, Satoko!

- You're very pretty. - No way!

I bet Tokyo's changed.

I miss Tokyo...

Plenty of new houses must've gone up in your neighbourhood.

Lots! It's really bustling. We've three movie theatres near the station.

Really?

I'd love to go back...

When you first got married, you lived in my house.

You were so happy. I envied you.

Do you still play the samisen like you used to?

No. I have no time for music anymore

I'm starving. Let's eat.

How long do you think she'll stay?

Just give her time.

Yes, but...

My brother's a teacher and very strict, too! Let's just give her a break.

- Will there be enough? - What, rice?

- Yes. - We'll be all right.

She can go sightseeing in Osaka by bus.

- Do you fancy it, too? - What?

You haven't had a tour around the sights of Osaka.

Well...how much is the fare?

It can't be that expensive. Let's go next Sunday, yeah?

If you say so.

- Where's my handkerchief? - Oh...

There.

Is my lipstick all right, Hatsu? Not too thick, is it?

Just call me "uncle".

- How old are you now? - 20.

That tie's a bit tatty! Don't you have a better one?

- Haven't you finished clearing up yet? - No...

I fixed my hair myself. Does it look funny?

Come on, get ready.

- I won't go. - Why? I got three tickets especially.

Come with us!

The tickets are returnable. The two of you go.

Why?

I've got too much to do.

Ladies and gentlemen, we're about to depart.

Now that we're sharing the same bus, I hope we can all be friends.

Please relax and enjoy the sights of Osaka

I hope you have a lovely time.

I think I might've upset your wife.

Not at all.

The stone building that you can see to your left

is the Osaka Stock Market.

This area is called Kitahama and is known for its brokerages.

It's famous as the counterpart of Tokyo's Kabutocho.

Where's your office?

You can't see it from here.

Maybe I could find work here in Osaka.

And what about your marriage?

Who cares?

Ladies and gentlemen, please take in the beautiful view to your left.

This view is one of the most famous sights that Osaka has to offer.

O the beautiful plum blossoms...

That's a traditional song about the park, there...

and the park is famous for a lane...

...where one sees lovers walking arm in arm.

Let's go walking there together.

Oh, you can see Osaka Castle!

"Naniwa is like a dream beyond a dream...

"Let us recall the life of the warrior hero who died aged 63..."

- What do you think she earns? - She'll hear you!

This is the second largest rock...

...used in the construction of the walls of the castle.

The man that I'm in love with is penniless.

Rich men aren't my type at all.

Which should I choose?

Forget about money. Just marry for love.

Love gets you nowhere if you can't even pay the bills.

Love gets me nowhere.

"Love gets you nowhere"?

You know what, I earn 6,000 yen a month.

I have to give my parents 3,000. I need to make more.

You know what I get?

How much?

Hello, Mrs Okamoto?

- I'm back. - Thank you so much.

The pawnbroker refused your samisen, though it's of high quality.

Thank you for your trouble. Here, this is your share.

Really? Well, thanks very much.

Did your son manage to get a job?

Not yet. He wants to work at a pharmaceuticals factory...

...but 280 men applied for the job when they want only three.

- Gosh! - I think his chances are slim.

He's not even a college graduate. Poor people's sons just get poorer.

Education seems to make no difference.

- Life is so hard lately. - I agree.