Thirst for Love (愛の渇き)

A NIKKATSU PRODUCTION

What did you do?

You startled me.

I thought you might kill me.

I'm sorry, Father.

It's all right.

I still seem to have some fresh red blood in me.

Not bad for an old man.

I'm truly sorry.

Just continue.

Don't miss anything.

Yes, Father.

Saburo, wait.

What is it, ma'am?

Were you watching me?

Yes.

For long?

No, not really.

Why didn't you say anything?

I'm sorry.

It's not proper to spy on people.

Could you tell what I was thinking?

No, I couldn't.

Then why were you smiling?

Were you smiling for no reason? Is that it?

That's no way for a servant to behave.

You were so beautiful,

the way you were looking at that statue.

You were so beautiful I felt jealous.

Just go now.

And don't ever say such inappropriate things again.

I retired from business

soon after the Korean War,

so ifs been over ten years now.

The young folks say I didn't retire,

that I was forced out, but -

You won't go back?

I wouldn't be of any use even if I did.

And your family? Your wife passed away?

Yes, and the family I have left are all nuisances:

my eldest son Kensuke and his wife,

and my divorced daughter Asako and her kids.

They're all freeloading off me.

There's also my second son's widow and the servants,

which makes ten of us.

Only the gardener and I actually do anything,

and we can? handle all the work.

Head over to the left,

toward the woods.

I want to sell the plot from the river to the woods.

That's my second son's widow.

I sold half of our property today.

So I heard. That's good.

No, it's not. It was a tough decision.

I want you to be more productive.

I can't even pay our taxes.

But Father, I can't change.

Chieko and I enjoy this dull, aimless lifestyle.

I have no desire to get back on my feet.

Etsuko's the same way. Right?

Besides, I don't just fool around.

Lecturing at the university is just a hobby.

Teaching Greek once a week.

Who cares?

You don't even earn enough for basic expenses.

And it's not just the money.

I can't stand watching

a 40-year-old man loaf around the house all day.

Excuse me.

Wanna watch Popeye?

Popeye the sailorman

Let's all watch him together

And you -

why haven't you had any children?

If you did, Kensuke might -

Father, that's impossible. I'm sterile.

Fitting for a worthless idler like me.

We have our hopes pinned on you and Etsuko.

If Etsuko had your baby,

we could adopt it.

Stop talking nonsense!

Joking can go too far!

Father, you shouldn't drink so much.

Let me have that.

Please excuse me.

Have you been sleeping well'?

Yes.

Ifs so quiet...

unlike Tokyo.

You shouldn't lie.

I said you shouldn't lie.

Why haven't you been able to sleep?

Is it me'?

Or this house'?

No.

If I had to say,

ifs because ifs too quiet at night.

THIRST FOR LOVE

In any case, you should never lie.

Produced by KANO OTSUKA Based on the Novel by YUKIO MISHIMA

Screenplay by SHIGEO FUJITA and KOREYOSHI KURAHARA

What would you do if you had a chance to remarry?

Cinematography by YOSHIO MAMIYA Production Design by KAZUHIKO CHIBA

That would be unthinkable right now.

You do have offers, you know.

Why do you keep hinting at that?

You know I would decline.

Music by TOSHIRO MAYUZUMI Edited by AKIRA SUZUKI

You're not lying?

You'll always stay with me?

Starring

RURIKO ASAOKA AKIRA YAMAUCHI NOBUO NAKAMURA

Yes, Father.

YUKO KUSUNOKI YOKO KOZONO CHITOSE KURENAI TETSUO ISHIDATE

You keep calling me “Father.”

It kind of bothers me.

But Father...

what else could I call you?

That's true.

Then tell me, Etsuko...

you really do love me?

Not just as your father-in-law?

Yes, Father.

Directed by KOREYOSHI KURAHARA

“Never take anything too seriously.”

That was Etsuko's creed.

Walking barefoot hurts one's feet.

Just as shoes are necessary to walk,

clichéd notions are necessary for survival.

Ma)' I help you?

A pomelo, please.

- Which one? - That big one.

Don't wrap it. Put it in here.

It's heavy. How much?

Nine hundred yen.

- May I help you? - I'd like some socks.

What kind?

- Two plain pairs. - For everyday wear?

I'll take these.

- Etsuko. - Thanks for coming.

Father insisted I pick you up.

And I came along.

Did you get that pomelo for Ryosuke's spirit?

- They didn't have any, right? - Why?

We made a bet just now.

Chieko said they were out of season.

I bet that you'd find one.

Chieko and I must strike you as an odd couple.

I'm sure I must appear strange in your eyes too.

Not at all.

You're the Sugimoto family's last hope,

a sacrifice offered to the cruel tyrant.

I'm grateful.

Thanks to you, I can be on equal terms with Father.

You're the gap in his armor.

You've taken that arrogant dictator

and made him your humble slave.

Isn't that wonderful?

You just want to see it that way.

I'm neither savior nor sacrifice.

So could one say that right now

you feel neither hope nor despair?

I suppose.

Now that you mention it, I've completely forgotten such emotions.

My husband is nice, isn't he?

I think he's attracted to you.

Why?

We were making love recently, and he called me by your name.

I gave him hell.

You don't get jealous?

Not really.

I have too much respect.

For whom?

My husband.

And you too, of course.

I'm home.

Welcome back.

I didn't expect you so early.

I was looking at this. I hope you don't mind.

No, there's nothing embarrassing in there.

I was worried how you felt about me.

Reading it set my mind at ease.

I found a pomelo.

That's good.

Ryosuke's spirit will be pleased.

Father doesn't know.

That diary's a fake.

I never write anything revealing in it.

It's a diary meant to be read.

What use could it be?

Good morning.

Morning. Are you always out working this early?

Yes.

- You like working? - Not really.

Ma'am, please get her leash.

These are for you.

I bought them yesterday

especially for you.

Thank you.

You can alternate the two pairs.