Bashing (バッシング)

This film is based on real events.

A Monkey Town production

BASHING

Once back home from Iraq,

Japanese hostages were shunned by society

Hello.

Reception, here.

Yes, sir.

Miss Takai...

If you please...

What is it? I haven't finished.

You are dismissed.

Here's what I owe you.

Since you arrived, the atmosphere has changed.

One of your colleagues

has internet and he likes to surf the web.

He says there are all kinds of insults about you.

He's shouting it from the rooftops.

Your pay up until today

It's inconvenient.

It's inconvenient for me.

I need the money

Not to go back over there at least?

Let me give you some advice.

Don't ever go back there.

If you were kidnapped again,

you'd be in real trouble.

- Welcome. - I'd like some soup.

One tapioca, one tofu, one fritter.

Each one separate.

Separate?

One per bowl, please.

With lots of sauce.

More...

more...

more...

As much in the others.

What the...

What happened?

Yuko...

What happened?

Yuko...

I got fired.

And some stupid idiots ruined dinner.

What's wrong with everyone?

Is what I did so wrong?

Good grief!

Say something!

Yuko isn't here? She isn't eating?

Did something happen?

She got fired from her job.

Why?

No idea.

Hey Yuko!

We're not here right now.

Please leave your name and message after the tone.

Hello...

You little idiot... you just do what you like, Takai Yuko.

Now listen up. I'll have your hide, you bitch.

Hello...

I've had enough!

Where are you going?

To buy some soup.

Yuko!

Welcome.

I'd like some soup.

I want two tapioca,

two tofu and two fritters.

In separate bowls.

With lots of sauce.

Yuko...

Tell me... Why were you fired?

You know why!

You don't have to ask!

Mr. Takai...

Come and see me during your break.

I want to speak to you.

Thank you.

So... are things calming down?

What do you mean?

Are there as many anonymous phone calls?

How many per day?

I've never counted them...

but a dozen, I guess.

That many after all this time!

Haven't you considered taking action?

Action?

Changing your phone number or even moving house...

Make your mind up! Why don't you change your identity?

You know that our director, Mr. Ando, arrived yesterday

He summoned me this morning.

To talk me about you,

find out what you were doing.

To ask me what you were doing!

How should I know?

But it's crazy you know.

The company still receives abusive phone calls and emails.

Even Head Office is harassed.

It's true, everyone knows about it.

The receptionist can't cope with the situation.

Tell me what it is you want to say

Do you want me to resign?

I wouldn't go that far...

But when I see the harm caused to the company's management,

it's quite beyond me.

If I resigned,

where would I find another job?

Anywhere. There's plenty of work around.

Think it over.

You will get your severance pay in full.

But do it without delay

I'm counting on you to handle formalities.

Mr. Ueki...

I beg you...

I beg you to keep me on.

I can't resign.

I beg you... Look!

Going over there as a volunteer!

You've spoiled her.

My daughter...

is a victim. She was taken hostage.

Why must she be persecuted?

I beg you. It's the truth! I'm beggin' you.

We're not here right now.

Please leave your name and message after the tone.

Hello...

You're there, aren't you?

Don't act bashful. Answer me!

Hello?

Ever thought about the word, "self-responsibility"?

You will know the Lord's vengeance.

It's crazy!

If you'd been killed, you'd have become a heroine.

No, certainly not in Japan.

Anyway you came home. Without a shame!

Are you listening to me?

It's a very important question.

Couldn't you at least answer me?

Mrs. Takai, please.

A family matter.

- It's me. - What's wrong?

I've just...

handed in my notice.

What?

Mr. Ueki told me...

he'd been summoned by the director.

It was over Yuko.

They're still bombarded

with abusive phone calls and emails about her.

He was ordered to find a solution.

A solution...

What solution?

Well, he was told to fire me.

The company's image was at stake.

He didn't want to keep me any longer.

I realized I was done for.

I knew it would happen one day

So, I wrote my letter of resignation and gave it to my boss.

You've handed in your notice?

Yes, I have.

But why?

You could've talked to the union...

The situation would've been unbearable.

Maybe, but...

Where are you now?

Outside the factory gates.

My head's all messed up.

I need to get my head straight...

but I wanted to tell you...

before I did anything else.

But what's all the rush?

Sorry I decided this on my own.

But you know.

I got down on my knees.

I couldn't stand it...

I love you. I love you all.

Yuko?

Hello.

What?

You've answered at last!

What?

Why this "what"?

What?

Let's meet up.

So we can talk things over.

You've been back for six months,

and we haven't seen each other once.

Let's meet up, OK?

One of these days...

Is that you, Yuko?

I know you're home.

Why won't you answer?

I threw away the phone.

What happened?

Did you answer the phone?

Did someone say something?

I wanted to talk to you about your father...

I threw it away!

Yuko...

Want to meet up?