Bread of Happiness (2012) - full transcript

My first love was Mani.

When I was small, I used to
go to a nearby library

and sit in a chair reading
"The Moon and Mani."

Young Mani puts the moon in
the basket of his bicycle

and rides across the sky
from east to west.

One day, the thin waning moon says

"Mani, make the sun go away."

"He's too bright and
blinds my eyes."

"But we'd be in trouble
without the sun."

"Why?"

"Because without the sun,
you'll disappear."



"Then people will get lost
when they walk at night."

"What matters is that
it shines on you"

"and that you shine on others."

I liked Mani so much

and had looked for my own Mani.

But my life became cluttered

with things I didn't like.

I grew up and started working,
and my life got tough.

My father, my only family, passed away
and it got tougher.

My heart was alone and shrank.

And I gave up on
finding my Mani.

When my life in Tokyo became
too tough all over

Mizushima suggested me
to move out and live with him

in Tsukiura.



BREAD OF HAPPINESS

Your mail.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Rie...

You look beautiful today, too.

Thank you.

Hi there.

Mr. Abe...

This letter's for you.

Thanks.

Good morning.

Hi, Mizushima.

Freshly baked pain de champagne.

Here you are.

Thank you.

At Cafe Mani by the lake,
you can

enjoy Rie's coffee,

Mizushima's freshly baked bread,

and vegetables of the season.

And for visitors from out of town

warm beds are ready
on the second floor.

I have to go.

Um...

You really are so beautiful.

Take care of yourself.

Have a good day.

See you.

Hey! Hey!

Wait for me!

A little over a year ago when
this couple came to Tsukiura to stay,

I thought I would watch them
for some reason.

Mizushima...

Yeah?

Don't you think a mirror would be nice?

For that spot, right?
I was thinking so too.

- Shall we go?
- Yeah.

Okay.

No good.

It's ready.

A mirror to hang, right?
I made one for you.

How did you know?

I have good hearing, if nothing else.
I think it'll be perfect.

Thank you.

"Do what you like when you like"

Many works by Yoko, who has good
ears, are displayed in the cafe.

It's perfect.

Yes... Nice.

Nice.

When something good happens,
they save a coin in a jar.

This way,
they build their cafe little by little.

Thanks for the coffee and bread.

Have a good day.

I'm off.

Very nice.

You've grown so big.

Cafe Mani.

Do you have a room for
2 nights from tonight?

For how many people?

One...

Sure, we have a room.

Can I have your name?

"Tsukiura"

Hello.

Hello.

Kaori Saito.
I called you earlier.

Welcome.

This way.

Come down for coffee
when you're settled in.

Thanks.

Enjoy your stay.

"Romantic Vacation in Okinawa"

Hello.

We're on the beach.

I'm tanning so fast.

Our hotel? Moon Beach.
Where else?

It's great.

Thanks.

I'll bring back a souvenir.

Okay, bye.

This feels nice.

Mizushima!

Tokio!

Here.

Your bread is always so good.

It's been a while.
Do you have the day off?

I wanted to ride my bike to
relieve some stress.

A girlfriend?

Please! I don't have one!

Are you okay?

Yes I am.

Rie...

It's Mr. Hirokawa.
Rie!

Okay.

I brought the logs.

I'll be right out!

Will you take this to the lady?

Me?

Um...

Rie sent me with a towel.

Don't just stare.
Give it to me.

The towel.

Here.

Tomato bread.
It goes well with wine.

Tokio, stay over tonight.

Thanks.

I can't believe he backed out on me.
Our vacation in Okinawa...

Sure, I was the one who
made the booking.

But he said he'd go.
He said definitely.

Tomorrow's my birthday.

I told all the girls at my section.

He's popular with women.
He's so good at his job, too.

I guess some people are
just better than others.

If I'm here, he's up there.

If he's a bread...

What would he be?

Exquisite French pastry?

It's okay though.

I'll get over him.
Goodbye!

Maybe I should stay here for good.

Life here has its problems too.

Hey... That guy...

Who is that guy sitting there?

His name is Tokio.

Hello.

Are you a local?

He lives 3 hours away by motorbike.

Yeah.

Have you always lived there?

Always.

So your life is quiet and peaceful.

Peaceful?

Yeah, peaceful.
Not like in Tokyo.

Do you know how tough it is
working in Tokyo?

Everyone's so strained.
They have to force themselves to smile.

But you're there because
you like it, right?

Not really.
I was born and raised there.

You wouldn't understand.

You should consider yourself lucky.

Tokio...

Tokio...

That jerk...

Okinawa is not a place
to go alone!

This is Hokkaido,
the exact opposite!

Asshole!

Asshole!

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning...

Here you go.

I force myself to smile
sometimes too.

Plain bread is nice too.

Why do I have to go?

As a porter.

Mr. & Mrs. Hirokawa...

Hello.

Kaori, our guest.

Hello.

Hello.

If you're staying at the Mizushimas',
I'll take good care of you.

Thanks.

But some things, you'll have to
take care of by yourself.

Wow! An eggplant?

Yes.

This too?

Tastes good.

Try it.

Delicious.

Kaori might like this better.

No... I was just looking.

Today's your birthday, right?

Yep.

This...

It's for you.

Tokio, right?

Yeah.

You have time, right?
Come with me.

What are we doing?

I'm supposed to be in Okinawa.
I need a tan.

You won't find anything.

They sell them everywhere.

Nothing.

No Okinawa products.

I told you, didn't I?

But they're everywhere.

Only in Tokyo.
Tokyo has everything.

I need to find Okinawa souvenirs.

I work in a department store
so when I take a weekend off...

I have to bring back something
to my co-workers.

- Uh-oh...
- What?

We're out of gas.

What are you doing?

What happened?

Up here.

What happened?

We're fine.

Are you guys looking for
Okinawa souvenirs?

Things from Okinawa...

I have good hearing, if nothing else.

Anything will do, if it's from Okinawa.

How many do you need?

You found them? Really?

Thank you.

What is this?

A "koropokkuru."

They are fairies that used to
live around here.

Fairies?

They give people what they harvest.

They come to our houses at night

and leave the crops on
the windowsill quietly. Sweet, right?

So that doll is supposed to
bring you a small happiness.

Then why not?
A koropokkuru.

I want a big happiness.

You're so greedy.

Happy birthday.

Thank you.

What's this?

It's a Gugelhopf.

It's a special bread
baked for celebrations.

I don't make it often so
this turned out funny looking.

Thank you so much.

Shall we make a toast?

Cheers.

This lasagna is great.

It is, isn't it?

Are there zucchini inside?

Glad you liked it.

The Hirokawas' vegetables
are delicious.

They are.

Thanks.

Um...

Thank you for doing this.

Let's eat the Gugelhopf.

Here.

Here.

Thanks.

It's good.

It was such a great meal.

I'm so full.

I bet you thought I was pathetic.

I did

But...

Only the grownups can admit

that they are pathetic.

So when I saw you

you made me laugh.

Laugh?

You're doing your best
to be happy.

You have to struggle if
you want to be happy.

You have to struggle
and embarrass yourself...

Nothing's wrong with that.

I operate a railroad switch every day.

You know, to change the
direction of the trains.

I do it so easily for the trains

but it's much harder to change
the direction of my own life.

The railroads seem to go on forever

but I can't leave Hokkaido.

I'm not struggling.
I can't.

You know what?
You're struggling right now.

Just come to Tokyo.

Let's go together.

I can't.

I don't have a job.

You think so?

I think so.

Really?

Really.

But the moon looks beautiful
to me tonight.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Simple bread is nice too.

Yes.

The rye breads are nice today.

They look good.
I'll take them.

There are too many.

I'm going to share them
with my co-workers.

A souvenir from Tsukiura.

All right.

So...

Where's Tokio?

He left early this morning.

He went home.

Oh, I see.

I'm going now.

Thank you for everything.

Rie... It was the best birthday
I've ever had.

There will be better ones
in the future.

Thank you.

Come visit us again.
We'll be always here.

Okay.

See you then.

Will you give a message
to Tokio?

"Thanks for hanging out with me."

We'll tell him.

Take care.

It's beautiful.

Although I hate to admit it.

Tokio!

I'll take you.

Really?

Hop on.

I'll take you to Tokyo.

What did you say?

I'll take you to Tokyo.

Are you serious?
I'd really like that, Tokio.

You can count on me.

1,000 km to Tokyo...

There comes a time for everyone when
you realize you're not alone.

I bet it was the sunflower.

I wonder if Tokio can make it
all the way to Tokyo.

Sure he can.
I did too.

We came far, didn't we?

Rie...

You don't have to force
yourself to smile here.

There's only one thing I want.

What is... that?

It's a secret.

Autumn has come.

Please use these to
make chestnut bread.

Yes, ma'am.

Gently sunny, nicely warm,
with a soft breeze...

The Mizushimas love to take a walk
on a day like this.

Hot!

A new piece for autumn.

Yoko!
Do you want some chestnut bread?

Autumn is the season of harvest.

What?

I'll warm some milk.

This is Miku.

Welcome.

Hi there.

Here you go.

I missed the bus.
Coffee, please.

Good morning.

Mr. Abe, a letter for you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

What? More babies?

Twins this time.

With a body like this,
I didn't realize I was pregnant.

8 croissants, please.

Good morning, Mr. Abe.

Hi there.
What are their names?

Suke and Kaku.

Like the duo in that
samurai drama.

You're so silly.

Suke! Kaku!

I wonder what's in that grip.
Should we ask him?

No.

Hey...

Here you go.

The bus is here.
I'll take the coffee.

Bye.

We should go too.

Suke and Kaku...

Let's go.

You look really...

Come on. Get back to work.
Let's go.

See you.

Miku, I'll drive you to school.
I'm delivering some bread.

Okay.

Here's your bread.

Ah, hey.

Chestnut bread today.

They look delicious.

Whole chestnuts? Wow.

I think you'll like them.

Okay, see you.

Bye.

Bye.

One, two, three.

"For dinner"

I'm home.

I heard you were late to school.

I want Mom's pumpkin soup.

Excuse me...

Do you have pumpkin soup?

Oh... Forget it.

- Coffee, please.
- Sure.

You and your wife's place?

Yes.

Nice.

Yes.

You're not from here?

I'm from Sapporo and
Rie is from Tokyo.

She followed you this far?
She is very young.

You are right.

Here you are.

Thanks.

Smells good.

You're lucky, being able to drink
such good coffee every day.

I am, yes.

Did you quit your job
to open this place?

Yes.

Big decision.

Yes.

I wanted to have a life
that I wanted.

In a place I love
with someone I love.

Go walking together,
eat what we like, bake bread...

We want people to feel the seasons
as we do, through our bread.

The view from here changes every day.

It's not just beautiful.

This is possible
because you're not alone.

There are things you can
if you are with someone.

At times, Rie gets sad
for no apparent reason.

It makes me and Mizushima sad too.

Hello.

Come in.

Pumpkin soup for you.

Miku, it's ready.

Here you go.

It looks so good.

Smells nice.

Let's eat.

I hope it's good.

Yum!

Good.

I admit you are really good at
this soup.

I don't want it.

I'll never eat it.

I'm sorry.
I'm going.

Miku!

Good night.

Good night.

Please take this to Miku.

Could you deliver this, too?

To Miku

"We are cooking for you."

"Please come whenever you're hungry."

"Cafe Mani"

Welcome, Miku.

Hi there.

Welcome.

Dad.

Miku.

Good to see you.

Come in.

Let's eat.

Yes, let's.

For you.

Pumpkin soup...

Miku!

I'll go check.

She'll be all right.

It's good.

It is.

But it's not the same.

It's different from Mom's pumpkin soup.

Yes, different.

Mom... She's not coming back, is she?

She's not coming back, right?

No, she's not.

I'm sorry.

I should've told you.

Sorry about that.

Dad...

I wanted to cry with you.

For you to share.

Thanks.

You're always welcome here.

Come again, okay?

I will.

Thank you, really.

Dad...

There comes a time when
you realize you're not alone.

For your performance tonight.

Apple bread with honey.

This is nice.
Thank you.

Freshly baked.

I prefer hot and spicy food.

Sure you do.

I think I'll have some wine tonight.

The harsh winter has
arrived in Tsukiura.

We can't go outside any more.

These guests came
in one freezing cold night.

"Usu Station"

Hello. Cafe Mani.

May we stop by for a while?

So Mr. Sakamoto, you've been
here in Tsukiura before.

Yes, when we were young.

Did you two come together?
Honeymoon?

It turned out that way.

What do you mean?

We were reunited here.

She had left me and
I was traveling around this area.

Then she came after me.

On the way home at Usu Station

I asked her again to marry me.

Oh, I see...

"Yuzuki"

So we named our daughter with

the characters used in
"Usu" and "Tsukiura."

Her name is Yuzuki.

That's a nice name.

Maybe I'm talking too much.

We're almost there.

Are you okay?

Winters here are cold.

Here.

Thank you.

Another one.

Oh, yes...

Hot water.

Thank you.

Enough?

Thank you.

I'll make you
something hot to eat.

Bread... Cheese bread...

I'm sorry, she doesn't like bread.

You know us old people.

I'll cook some rice then.

I'll go to the Hirokawas.

I'm really sorry about this.

I'll pay you for the trouble.

It's no problem at all,
just give us a little time.

Rie, watch them closely.

Something's odd.
Look after them.

Drive carefully.

We can't see the moon.

No.

"Hinode Bath House"

"Silver Wedding Anniversary"

"Medicine for Aya Sakamoto"

Mr. Hirokawa!

Good evening.

In this weather!

Thank you.

We always have a lot of rice.

It's heavy.

Wanna take her too?

No, it's fine.
Thank you very much.

She's a lively one.
Tasty too.

Very tasty.

Shall we go see the moon now?

Yuzuki is waiting for us too.

Where are you going?

Wait.

It's too cold outside.
Please come back.

Mr. Sakamoto!

What happened?

We want to go see the moon.

Wait.

You can see it from here.

Look.

A great view of
the moon from this window.

It's snowing again.

How long have you been married?

Almost 50 years.

We ran a bath house together.

We lost everything in the earthquake.

We lost Yuzuki too.

But we wanted to provide
a hot bath for everyone.

So we rebuilt our bath house.

It's been a long time
since the earthquake.

Yes.

After the earthquake

she looked at the tub that was left

then laughed and said,
"This is a real open-air bath."

You have a good wife.

Now it's just the two of us.

Enough.

We lived enough.

That's what we think.

Don't you agree?

Now I can't do things that I used to be
able to. I can't do anything for her.

When you're young

you can change.

You can look forward to
becoming a different you.

But...

Now, everything
has become difficult for us.

Can't help it.

It's ready.

Shall we eat?

Let's eat.

Darling...

Potato.

Yes, it's a potato.

That's bread.

You can't eat, right?

She cooked us rice.

You like it?

Yes.

This bread with beans...
It's so good.

I want to eat this bread
again tomorrow.

Darling, I'm sorry.

It's okay...

Here.

Good.

It's good.

Please eat bread again tomorrow.

Cheese bread is different
but good too.

Warm enough?

Yes, thanks.

Good.

Bread is nice.

Yes, it is.

There's this word, "compagnon."

I like it a lot.

"Compagnon"... What do you
think it means?

I don't know.

A clue.

Originally it means
"those who share bread."

What do you think?

Mr. Sakamoto...

Why don't you stay here
for a while?

In a few days, you can see
the full moon from here.

This is so good.

You've got mail.

From the earth.

I didn't lay these.

Will lift your spirits.

Here's my braid.

You're good.

I can't do this.

It's okay.
I'll bake it anyway.

Shape is not important.

Cheers.

Did you know that the more you make
toasts, the happier you will be?

That's what they say
somewhere in Europe.

Make a toast when happy.

Cheers.

Make a toast when not happy too.

If you can end the day by raising
a glass with someone

that's a happy life.

Thanks.

There's the moon and there's Mani.

There's Mani and there's the moon.

I saw the white snow of Tsukiura

making a warm blanket
around Rie's heart.

It's beautiful.

Yes, it is.

The moon is always here.

It'll be in Tsukiura tomorrow too.

Yes.

Now I have something
to take with me from here.

Darling...

Yes?

Thank you.

We're going home.

Mizushima, I now know
the meaning of "compagnon."

Those who share bread...

It means "family," right?

You're close.

It means "fellowship."

But I think that's the
origin of "family."

"Usu Station"

Please watch over me forever.

I will.

I'll watch over you too.

Thank you, Mizushima.

For coming here for me.

I asked you to come.

Let's go home.

"From Fumio Sakamoto"

Rie... Mizushima...

Thank you for everything
in the winter.

Aya passed away this spring.

When we visited Mani, Aya had
little time left for her.

I was inclined to kill ourselves

in Tsukiura, if we could.

But it was an arrogant thought.

Watching her enjoying the bread
although she hadn't liked it before

made me realize for the first time

that people keep changing
until the very end.

Aya lived life fully

and died peacefully.

I was able to see her through all that.

I reopened our bath house

I think about Cafe Mani

Mizushima's delicious bread

and the soup Rie made.

What I saw there were you
living your lives

doing what you believe in.

You live a down-to-earth life
true to your nature.

With "compagnons,"
all of you together.

I think that is real happiness.

Mizushima...

I found him.

What?

I found him.

I found my Mani.

That day, it seems like Mizushima finally
seized the one thing he wanted.

For Tokio and Kaori.

I hope they'll like them.

I'm sure they will.

I think so too.

Today is the 2nd anniversary
of their place.

Which one's for Miku
and her dad?

The one on top.

It'll be a surprise.

Good morning.

Good morning.

"Bread of Happiness"...

Mr. Abe gave a nice name.

We're done.

For delivery.

Oh.

There you go.

We're having a guest for next year.

That's an early booking.

From where?

From...

Here.

I still don't know what happiness is.

Yes!

But I've decided.

I'm going to be born at
the Mizushimas'.

Tomoyo Harada

Yo Oizumi

Kanna Mori
Yuta Hiraoka

Ken Mitsuishi
Yuki Yagi

Katsuo Nakamura
Misako Watanabe

Yasuhi Nakamura - Nobue Iketani
Chikara Honda

Reika Kirishima

Narrated by Nozomi Ohashi

with Morio Agata

and Kimiko Yo

Development Producer Ayumi Suzui

Executive Producer Masao Teshima

Producers
Kazuhiko Yusa Yasuyuki Iwanami

Director of Photography
Ryu Segawa (J.S.C.)

Lighting Director Yoshimi Hara

Production Designer Shizuka Inoue

Costume Designer Masae Miyamoto

Music Goro Yasukawa

Featuring the Song "Hitotsudake"
Written by Akiko Yano

Performed by
Akiko Yano Kiyoshiro Imawano

"Bread Of Happiness" Film Partners
Presents

Distributed by
Asmik Ace Entertainment

A Creative Office Cue Project

An At Movie Production

Produced by Takeshi Moriya

Written and Directed by
Yukiko Mishima

English subtitles Yoko Iwasaki