Seven Weeks (野のなななのか)

Celebrating the 20th anniversary

of Starry Hometown Ashibetsu Film School.

This film is for

its founder, Hyoji Suzuki

and local supporters of the school.

In 1997, 36-year-old yoji Suzuki died.

To carry on Suzuki's legacy

for future generations.

The film tells a story set in Ashibetsu.

Ashibetsu was one of Hokkaido's biggest coal mining towns.

The Town borders a forest and once had 70,000 residents.

Now it's a quiet town of 16,000.

For what I failed to feel in my lifetime

I think death will come as my punishment

When we're born, we replace someone. When we die someone replaces us.

Every person's life and death

is tied to the lives and deaths of others.

A film by Nobuhiko Obayashi

Made in Ashibetsu

Seven Weeks

This small tale of a death isn't unique.

Like the deaths happening in Japan every day.

You can see a lot by taking a closer look at a death.

A death is a history.

A history tying the past and future.

Let's take a look at one tiny tale of a death.

With each death, there is a story.

His story brings back the dead and forgotten.

Maybe a person's karma lives on in future generations.

This strange tale begins with the legacy of a people.

I'm home!

Welcome home.

Chapter 1 Repercussions of a Death

Mrs. Yoshida caught me on my way out.

Her stomach cramps were making her panic.

She wants to live.

She said, "I don't want to die! It hurts!"

Pain is a sign of life. Was it too much gatatan soup?

Yes! She had 3 bowls.

She should know her limit.

She says she can't stop.

She loves it.

Love hurts.

She said she needed morphine.

Her grandson turns 3 tomorrow.

They'll have gatatan soup to celebrate.

Grandma's hot and yummy soup!

You made coffee?

Not much of a birthday!

Love hurts...

Ouch!

Grandpa?

Grandpa!

Grandpa?

Ouch...

Grandpa!

Hi, Kanna.

Grandpa...

"On A Summer Day"

The blue sky is still

At midday in summer

"Songs of the Goats by Chuya Nakahara"

Grandpa.

You're here...

"Daily Hokkaido"

Hello, I need an ambulance for my grandfather.

75 Asahi-Cho. The Starry Cultural Shop.

It was Suzuki Clinic.

He's Mitsuo Suzuki, 92.

Please take him to Ashibetsu General Hospital.

Just tell Dr. Wakasugi. He'll know what to do.

Dr. Minoru Wakasugi.

He's an internist trained by Grandpa.

I'm Kanna Suzuki. I'm a nurse at General Hospital.

Right. Can you hurry?

Ashibetsu, Hokkaido March 8, 2013

3 days later, March 11

It was like we were in the middle of a storm.

Right, Kanna?

Grandpa used to say

"Leave me to die."

Shouldn't we interfere?

A physician must override his patient's whims.

- It's been 3 days. - He's a strong man.

I'm glad you're his doctor.

Grandpa wanted to stay in that house.

It's like a moldy old storehouse.

Doesn't he sell antiques?

They were things we used

and bits and pieces people gave him.

He appreciated old things.

Things age quickly, like me.

It's easy to forget sad memories so hold to them.

In the case of things you love...

It hurts.

What did you speak to Grandpa about?

He was at college with my dead father.

Your grandpa turned down the medical society to work here.

And ethics.

- The flawed medical system after WWII. - Big issues!

We talked about none of that.

Oh!

Dr. Wakasugi, you haven't visited us in ages.

That an invitation?

Does it sound like one?

You were a kid back then. All we talked about was food...

Food?

Dr. Nakanishi was the favorite then.

Right.

I came over once for boribori miso soup and potatoes.

Nakanishi was there.

Boribori?

And Dr. Nakanishi?

When Boribori mushrooms break through the snow

it sounds like, boribori

Your coffee.

I'm from Tokyo so that was new to me.

And steamed potatoes with wasabi.

When I learned that boribori was honey fungus

it was anticlimactic.

Snapping them off makes that sound. I often cook them.

Come and eat some!

That's good.

Dr. Suzuki also mentioned mashed yam and wheat

but I dislike yams so I forgot.

We choose the stories to remember.

He likes plain dishes made with local produce.

He said, "Luxury is the enemy."

Naïvely I retorted "Rewards come with victory!"

Nakanishi said the same.

Even if you win the war you lose.

Then Nakanishi left...

You and I have never spoken like this...

You've grown up.

- Where did Nakanishi go? - Are they coming?

The relatives?

My great aunt called them.

Chapter 2 Coming Home

He won't be with us much longer.

It's cold! Lucky I got everybody's cell phone numbers.

Fuyuki and Kasane just arrived in town.

Fuyuki was driving so I spoke with Kasane.

Akito will get a cab from the station.

I haven't been able to reach Haruhiko.

I have patients to see.

Sorry to hold you up.

Over to you.

Coffee, Great Auntie?

Please.

That aroma brings back memories.

The only thing my brother didn't scrimp on.

Kanna. You must get some rest.

Thank you.

Aren't you tired after driving for 8 hours?

5 hours. I drove fast.

I wish I came yesterday though.

My dear brother, Mitsuo.

Only you were lucky enough to live with him.

It was beautiful watching the sunrise in Ashibetsu!

Lucky?

- Just you two. - With Grandpa.

Just the two of us.

It was so beautiful.

I drove fast to see the sunrise here.

It was such short notice.

Sorry, I was slow to react because he's always been healthy.

- You know, I love it. - Pardon?

The dawn sky.

I love it, too.

Dawn in Ashibetsu.

Mitsuo lost 2 sons and daughters-in-law.

Or they were killed

That's what he said.

With 2 kids each, there were 4 grandkids.

Fuyuki and Haruhiko left home in their teens.

Your brother Akito was only 3 then.

And you were...

6 months old.

Mitsuo raised you both while he worked as a physician.

We weren't all by ourselves.

Oh, her...

Who? I'm cold!

Kasane?

Hello.

How you've grown! Are you at college?

Yes but not Dad's university.

You sounded young on the phone but you grew up!

Dad, too! Voices change on the phone.

Hi, Fuyuki. Welcome home.

It's been so long.

You should remarry.

Any candidates? How is he?

A new wife?

A man needs a woman.

People die young in this family.

Like Makiko. What a funeral that was!

- Who's she? - My brother's wife.

- Your brother? - Mitsuo.

- So Grandpa has a name! - Of course.

- He was married? - That's why we're here.