The Tale of Iya (祖谷物語 -おくのひと-)

The Tale of Iya A man in the heart of the mountains

RINA TAKEDA

MIN TANAKA

You're back.

SHIMA ONISHI

I'm off.

Cinematographer YUTAKA AOKI

Sound SHINTARO KAMIJO

Writer/Production Manager MASAYUKI UEDA

Unit Director TOMOHIKO TAKENO

Assistant Director KENJI FUKUSHIMA

Music KEITA KAWABATA

Director TETSUICHIRO TSUTA

Good morning, Granny.

Good morning.

Granny, do you know the name of this flower?

No… I'm afraid not.

Really… It's very pretty though.

It sure is.

More than that, Haruna.

Seems like you're a little late today.

You're right. I'm off then.

Be careful.

Good morning.

To prey upon is an instinct…

Most important here is the nervous system. Using this to the fullest…

they catch what's necessary for survival. Same goes for the Indian kingfisher.

All animals on the planet have similar instincts…

in order to coexist with the environment.

And of course, humans also react to different environments…

depending on the area…

Oops.

That was gramps Shimizu.

His son Hiroshi works in Tokyo. Ya know him?

Huh?

Hiroshi.

No…

Oh well.

But really, be careful in the mountains.

A college kid from Osaka fell in the falls and died the other day.

Oh…

Everyone says he was bewitched by a fox.

What?

Still got them things 'round here. I swear, be careful or you'll be a goner.

Hey boss.

Hey Tamura. Hot ain't it?

Sure is. How's it comin'?

No good today.

What happened?

Those foreigners came and posted these this morning.

Do something about it.

Well… I'll be tough on them next time.

I'm counting on you.

Who's that?

Mr. Kudo. He's from Tokyo.

Hello.

President of Nakaishi Constructions.

From Tokyo, eh? Welcome. How long you staying?

Um…

haven't really decided.

Say, wanna come shooting with us next time?

Boss, people from Tokyo don't do that kind of stuff.

That so…

Shooting?

Wild animals.

They've been damaging property, so we're asked to get rid of them.

Boss is a sharpshooter, you know.

How was Sunday?

Guess what. I shot three deer. And…

we also spotted a monkey.

All of us got ready to shoot it, but…

those guys are quick.

Can't help that.

Well, I'll be going then.

Tell me whenever you want some deer meat.

You also let me know if you need anything.

Thank you.

Another dropout from the city.

Shut your young mouth.

The Michael House

Is Michael around?

Thanks.

Hey!

Come on.

Good work.

Keep it up.

Hi Michael.

How's it going?

Not bad.

Wow, a good-sized watermelon this is.

It's been a good harvest.

What happened with the tunnel construction?

Well… it might not be so easy.

No giving up on this, Mr. Tamura.

You're right. I'll see what I can do.

This is Mr. Kudo who called earlier. He'll be staying a while.

I'm Michael. Nice to meet you.

My name is Kudo. Pleased to meet you.

These vegetables are from our garden. Please try them out.

Thank you.

What brings all these people here?

There're many reasons.

Some read about my activities on the Internet and gathered…

while others just ended up here like you.

May I ask why you came to Iya?

Did you dropout?

Well…

something like that.

I see.

But nowadays, that too is a splendid form of contribution to society.

To not be part of the vicious spiral.

By dropping out for the time being is one option.

I believe that those who gathered here…

are also fighting the vicious spiral of their home land…

by coming here and tending the garden and growing crops.

Stop the construction!

No more construction!

Stop construction!

Sugeoi Elementary shuts down its 127 year history

Sorry, this is all we can give you. Business is not good.

Haruna!

Haruna!

Haruna

There you are. Here again.

Let's go home.

Kotomi!

Kotomi!

Kotomi. Quit singing.

Help me serve tea.

Hello Haruna. Welcome.

Hello.

I'm sorry I can't treat you much. Today's really busy.

Make yourself at home.

Why do they have to hold a meeting during this busy season.

I don't mean to deny your people's line of work.

My family's been digging tunnels for three generations!

You want me to starve?

He's right!

You're misunderstanding.

What I want to say is, you can't go about doing anything…

just for your own sake of convenience, without considering the consequences.

In actuality, extreme forestation in the past…

has got Iya's mountains dying.

And because of that…

animals are attacking the fields. Is that not right?

What we really need to do now…

is to decide whether this construction is truly necessary.

The question is who's going to make that decision.

Us natives living here? Or you people who came from the outside.

Are we gonna ask the monkeys?

Michael, why don't you relax.

Everyone sit. Come on, take a seat.

Hi Akira.

Haruna, you were here too?

What're you doing?

That in there.

You going home now?

Yep.

What about you?

I think I'm done here.

Can you take me somewhere by car then?

Like where?

The mall!

That's far.

Well, OK.

Yes! Let's go Haruna.

I have to go home.

Come on.

But… I need to prepare supper for Grandpa.

That so.

- Hurry up. - OK, OK.

You sure you don't wanna come?

You know what? Someone's gonna be giving me a scooter.

You can have it.

That should help you a little getting to school.

See you tomorrow, Haruna.

See you.

Hi Granny.

You're back. Come here, Haruna.

Here's some soba rice. Take some with you.

Thank you always.

Your Grandpa just passed by a while ago too.

Really?

I'll be going then.

Grandpa!

I'm back.

Granny gave us some soba rice.

Akira said he'll give me a motorcycle.

Then I could carry the rice up for you.

Thank you.

This is all we have but…

I appreciate it.

Here, Grandpa.

How is it? Pretty good?

Let's eat.

I'll walk you down tomorrow morning.

Thank you for the food.

Grandpa, I'm going to rinse your back.

Push harder!

Don't stop. Come on, push!