Story of a Beloved Wife (愛妻物語)

Dear spectators.

I'm a screenwriter. I write scripts for films.

It's more than 10 years since I started writing scripts.

I'm not talented, I haven't written one really good work.

But I love movies.

I wish I'd write a good one someday.

I might die before doing so.

But that's OK.

This is the story of my wife.

During tough times,

I remembered my wife's words, and I'd get my courage back.

And I got over it.

I'll carry on like this.

Dear spectators,

perhaps you won't be interested in a story about a screenwriter.

But please listen to this story of a small-time screenwriter.

STORY OF A BELOVED WIFE

Photography: Yasukazu Takemura

Music: Chuji Kinoshita

Art Direction: Koji Mizutani

Sound Recording: Toshio Nakamura

Editing: Shigeo Nishida

Production Manager: Masatsugu Hashimoto

Starring

Nobuko Otowa Jukichi Uno

Special Appearance: Denjiro Okochi

Ichiro Sugai Osamu Takisawa

Ryosuke Kagawa Sayuriko Hanabu

Masao Shimizu Taiji Tonoyama

Seishiro Hara Teruko Omi

Written and Directed by Kaneto Shindo

Please let us get married.

Please, Mom?

Well that...

I can't really help you.

You can.

If you'll stand on my side.

Wait for another chance. Dad's so furious today.

Dad's unreasonable.

To kick Mr. Numazaki out!

Useless to talk with him.

Takako!

- Don't! - Let go!

Sit down!

I don't want to scold you.

I won't give you Takako.

Give up.

I won't let you marry.

Why? Tell me.

I don't have to. No is no.

It's... because I’m poor?

Think what you like.

Maybe not today, but leave as soon as you can.

Honey.

You can't do this, all of a sudden!

- Shut up. - But honey...

I've said what I’ve said.

I get it.

I'll leave.

- Honey... - Shut up!

You're leaving?

I'm just a tenant.

I have to go if the landlord says so.

Mom's on my side.

She'll talk to Dad later.

Forget it.

Your dad thinks I’m too poor.

Everyone has no stable footing at the beginning.

He doesn't understand what movies are.

He thinks screenwriters are good-for-nothings.

We'll make him understand.

Let's work hard together.

Takako!

Takako!!

Go downstairs.

- What're you doing? - I’m leaving with Numazaki.

I'm your father!

I'm sorry.

He's like that.

I've stayed here so long.

Sorry to leave like this.

Where're you going?

I'll look for a room.

Actually...

I think it's all right to let you marry her.

I'm not in a position to get married.

Numazaki, be patient.

I'll work something out.

SUNNY APARTMENTS

Come in.

Hello.

You're all wet!

I had a fight with Dad. I left home.

You ran away?

He's so stubborn. I can't stand him.

- Come in. - Yes.

Have some bread.

Thanks.

Drink.

It's not easy to make your own meal.

I'm so useless.

Come what may. There's always a way.

Sorry.

My father's stubborn.

That's OK.

Any father'd be angry.

My father's transferred.

He's building a new factory for a paper company in Shimota.

Remember he's a constructor? He'd be the supervisor.

You're going too?

Em...

From today on... May I stay here?

I made up my mind not to go home.

You're so rash!

Please let me stay.

Only Mom'd forgive me...

If you won't regret it...

I won't.

I won't regret it.

We got married in spring, 1942.

The war was shaking Japan from head to toe.

The war was shaking Japan from head to toe.

The war was shaking Japan from head to toe.

Production was halved.

Production was halved.

Production was halved.

Studios were consolidated.

Studios were consolidated.

Studios were consolidated.

The two studios of Shinko were closed down.

The two studios of Shinko were closed down.

I'd be fired if there’s a merger.

I’m just a newcomer, like an apprentice.

Oh, you're back.

So dark in here.

You must be hungry. I'll start cooking now.

I got some meat rations today.

There'd be a merger.

Oh really?

I'll probably be fired.

That's bad.

It's not funny. We may starve.

I'll work if you're fired.

Stop kidding.

You will be fired?

I'm going to be a lathe worker.

Such work is too tough for you.

I know, but we have to eat.

Can't you keep on writing?

There'll be fewer films.

Studios are downsized.

There won't be work for a newbie screenwriter.

Perhaps there won't be films anymore.

The war won't go on forever.

If you change jobs, you won't write anymore?

I'll be fired!

I can't go on like this.

Go to Kyoto.

Your ex-boss Masuda,

he's now at the studio of Kyoto.

He's the Head of Planning.

Go visit him, he may find you something.

Please, keep writing scripts.

Don't give it up.

You spent 5 years on that.

You can't do anything else.

Let's do it.

You'll come with me?

Aren't we husband and wife?

Wherever you go, I’ll follow.

I'll write him a letter.

On the way to Kyoto,

we can see Mom in Shimota.

I don't even know if Masuda'd see me.

Will your dad meet me?

He's not as stubborn as he looks.

NEW PLANT TAMAKI PAPER

No I won't.

But... they came all the way.

She disobeyed me and ran away! I won't see her.

Yes but... can't you forgive her?

Not while I’m alive!

You're too stubborn!

I'm that stubborn!

She's late.

She must've gone home.

Your dad's still mad at me.

It runs in the family. Granddad’s like that.

Here she comes.

Mom!

- Where's Dad? - He won't see you.

Ah... That's like him.

Numazaki, I’m terribly sorry. He's like that.

Never mind. Maybe next time.

- I’m very very sorry. - It's OK.

Kyoto is a beautiful capital.

A capital with a long history.

But in this beautiful and ancient city...

Quick!

CHIKU KYOTO STUDIO