Dying at a Hospital (病院で死ぬということ)

Produced by The Japanese Worker's Union Collective Opt Communications, Inc.

Space Mu Co., Ltd. Shufu no Tomo Co., Ltd. Television Tokyo Channel 12, Ltd.

Sincere thanks go to the many persons appearing in the documentary segments. - Jun Ichikawa

From the book by Fumio Yamazaki Directed by Jun Ichikawa

DYING AT A HOSPITAL

Awake already'? Good morning.

Good morning.

Is that because your wife will join you today?

Old people wake up early.

It rained last night.

- What's that? - A stag beetle.

Where did you get that?

Ow!

Excuse us. Here's Mrs Kawamura.

- Welcome. - So, I've come.

- You like this room? - Be quiet.

- Cool, isn't it? - You okay?

The hospital staff are kind.

A relief for Mom, too.

She hasn't been examined yet.

You look well.

We bought it for you. It was expensive.

Don't tell him that!

A music box!

A music box...

What's this tune?

You know, a canon.

We picked the nicest one for you.

Ready?

Take one more.

Give grandma new slippers.

This is better for you.

I suppose you're tired. Please go back to bed.

I'll take her to her bed.

What's this?

Have a peek.

A stag beetle?

It's strong!

Look, Mom, a stag beetle.

Yes, it is. He likes insects a lot.

Where was it?

Where did you find it?

At that window.

Unusual, isn't it?

Excuse us.

How do you feel?

Nice weather.

- Did you sleep well? - So so.

May I?

You have a full belly. Trouble with your stool?

We'll add more laxative, then.

You look well.

So, the two are together.

Hello again. Have you calmed down somewhat?

- Yes, thanks. - That's good.

You have a shadow here.

Can you see?

Which of Tokyo's 23 wards can surprise you...

because the laundry there dries so fast?

A ward where the laundry dries so fast...?

Let's see...

- Edogawa Ward? - No.

It's not Minato Ward, is it?

Chuo?

Chiyoda?

Not Suginami Ward?

Not Setagaya either?

What about Shibuya?

Not Bunkyo either?

Not Toshima?

Itabashi...

Arakawa Ward, then.

Right! Because its name sounds like...

"Oh, it's drying so fast!"

Yes, it sounds like it!

Really.

Maybe I'll free the stag beetle...

tomorrow.

Mr Kawamura had colon cancer, his wife, lung cancer.

Our hospital couldn't handle lung cancer,

so we transferred Mrs Kawamura to another hospital.

Thus they had to be separated to receive treatment.

Mr Kawamura fell lonely.

so he moved to a six-bed ward.

Excuse us, this is Mr Noguchi, your new roommate. He came today.

Your bed's here. You'll be near the window.

Let me introduce you.

Mr Kobashi.

- He's Mr Noguchi. - Noguchi, pleased to meet you.

He's a musician.

And Mr Kimura.

Mr Hashimoto, not hungry?

Hang on. He's Mr Noguchi.

Shall I get changed?

- How's your bed? - It's okay.

I know! I'll phone my office

Starting today, eh?

Did you sleep well last night?

Let me examine you.

We'll examine you first,

to know how well you can take...

the operation you'll have.

We may operate on you the 19th of this month.

I should've eaten pork soup and onion tempura.

You want to eat such things?

- Why not? - You can't here.

- Does this hurt? - Yes, a little.

- How about this? - No, not at all.

You are getting better.

Can I walk now?

You still have a fever.

You'd better wait till it improves.

Shall I raise you?

Walking helps you get well faster.

Some refuse to walk even a week after their operation.

- I'd like to go to the roof. - Good idea.

Our garden here looks nice.

Do you like taking walks?

Yes. I don't like being inactive.

I suggest you walk briskly.

Take care of yourself.

How do you feel?

Today you can leave the hospital.

Thanks very much.

A gift!

- So much medicine! - Indeed.

Eat easily digestible food.

- Take your medicine. - I will.

Shall we go?

Thank you for everything. Take care of yourself.

He seemed to be recovering so well,

I couldn't tell him the truth.

How could we tell him...

he had cancer, when he looked so active?

I knew he'd be back soon,

but I thought it senseless to worry him...

with the truth, when he was so vigorous.

I see.

Is that so?

Yes, it is.

Mum

It is hot.

Where do you live?

In a house near the highway. It's so noisy there.

Still, it's my own house.

What a nice breeze!

He seldom worked, he just kept drinking all day.

Yet he made me bear as many as three kids.

Then he spat out blood and died.

You had a hard time.

Back then, her husband was only 12.

My youngest was one year old.

How old was the middle one...?

- How are you? - Wm; Shinji!

- For you. - Thanks. What is it? - Pickles.

Silly! I can't eat yet.

I ran from the cops.

Are you still doing things like that?

- No more accidents, please. - Worry about yourself.

- It's hot. - It sure is.

My eldest son here's getting more and more like...

my late husband. How embarrassing!

Was he that good-looking?

It feels good.

You read books like this?

My kids brought it for me.

Until now, I've never had the time to read.

I've done everything to live but steal.

I've led the lowest kind of life.

But at least I managed to bring up three kids.

And finally, just when I thought I could relax,

I find myself with a stomach ulcer.

Luck is against me, eh?

Mr Kawamura, it's ready.

- You all right? - I'm OK.

- Anything wrong? - I'm fine.

Your lymph node is fighting off germs, and it's making your legs swell up.

- It's nothing serious. - Is that so?

When I was young, people praised me...

for having strong leg muscles.

I was an athlete. Iran the 3,000 and...

1,500 metre races.

By the way, does it hurt?

Sometimes it hurts a lot, but I can take it...>

because of the medicine you give me.

- To your wife again? - Yes.

A regular service.

It hurts.

It hurts...

Be quiet.

Be quiet.

I haven't improved much.

Oh? Is that what you think?

Maybe in my condition, I'm not up to it...

but I wish I could see my wife... just once more.

I want to see Hideko...

while I can still walk.

As his family,

we want to respect Father's wishes.

Mother can't move anymore,