Kamome Diner (2006) Movie Script

KAMOME DINER

Finnish seagulls

are enormous.

Their fat bodies

waddle along the wharf.

They remind me of a cat

I had as a young girl.

Nanao, the cat,

weighed 10.2 kg.

She wasn't tame and

was always getting into fights.

Everyone hated her.

She only showed affection to me,

she let me pat her belly.

She used to purr.

I really loved Nanao.

I used to feed her without

telling Mom.

She ended up so fat

that she died.

A year later

Mom was hit and killed by a truck.

I loved her very much.

But strangely, I cried more

for Nanao than I did for Mom.

I don't think that's because Dad,

a martial artist,

always told me never to cry

in front of others.

I really like fat animals.

I love the way they devour

their food so contentedly.

My mother was very skinny.

Seagull Diner

She's been here

a month now.

I've never seen

any customers.

So tiny.

Is she a child or an adult?

I'll bet she's still a child.

She could be one of

those tiny adults.

It's more a "Child's Diner",

than the "Seagull Diner."

KAMOME?

Yes, KAMOME.

Welcome.

Coffee, please.

Certainy.

Thanks.

You speak good Japanese.

That's Nyarome, the cat?

You like Nyarome?

Yes, I do.

Who is it, who is it, who. . .

Do you like "Gatchaman?"

Gatchaman. . .

that cartoon.

Who is it, who is it, who is it

Do you know the lyrics?

All of them?

Wait a moment please.

Who is it, who is it, who is it. . .

Who is it?

No need to pay.

You're the very first

customer I've had.

So your coffee is free.

Thank you.

Who is it, who is it, who. . .

"Moomin Summer Madness"

Excuse me.

Do you know the

Gatchaman song?

What was that?

Gatchaman?

Certainly, I know it.

Could you please teach me?

Well, yes.

Who is it, who is it, who is it

A shadow dancing

in the sky

The great white wings of

Gatchaman

Taking a leap,

on faith,

Faith in the science

behind the firebird

Fly, fly, fly, Gatchaman

Go, go, go, Gatchaman

The Earth is all alone,

the Earth is alone

0hh, Gatchaman, Gatchaman

Here.

Great.

That's perfect.

My brother loved that cartoon,

we watched it together.

I'm so lucky.

That song kept repeating in

my head a million times.

But why that one?

I run a diner here in town.

Some kid asked me

for the lyrics the song.

I just couldn't remember them.

What a relief that is.

It's like finally scratching

that itchy spot.

Thank you so much.

Not at all.

So you run a diner here?

Yes, I do.

With your husband?

No.

By yourself?

Yes.

That's great.

It's just a tiny little place.

Are you a tourist?

No.

Business trip?

No, not really.

Come to see the trolls?

Not at all.

A stab in the dark.

Stab in the dark?

Yes, that's it.

I wanted to go somewhere

far away.

I spread a world map and

closed my eyes. . .

Then I stabbed my finger

and I hit Finland.

I got here yesterday.

That's why I'm here now.

That's amazing.

Not really.

A very rare case.

You think so?

I have a question.

If you'd pointed at Alaska,

would you have gone there?

Yes.

If Tahiti ,

would you have travelled there?

Of course.

I see.

But I really had to do it.

There was no other choice.

When you're determined,

there is no choice.

I felt the same way.

So you came?

Yes, and here I am.

So, welcome to Finland.

I've tentatively booked a hotel

for a week.

But I don't know what to do.

I walked around

and found this book store.

So I came in.

How long will you stay?

I haven't decided yet.

Well . . .

As a token of

my thanks to you,

you're welcome to

stay at my place.

Thanks.

That was a good bath.

Great.

The Land of the

Midnight Sun.

It's still light outside.

Quite strange, isn't it?

Don't be afraid to ask

for my help.

Not at all.

Please make yourself at home.

Thank you for everything.

Let's sit down.

Have as much as you ike.

I partake.

Sorry you came all this way

to eat Japanese food.

Thank you.

You serve Japanese food

at your diner?

But why Finland?

I thought I didn't have to

do it in Japan.

So you came to Finland?

I thought the Finns would

appreciate good, basic food.

Why was that?

Well look, with Italy you think

of pizza, or pasta.

What about Germany?

Sausages?

In Korea

it'd be spicy cabbage.

In India, it's the curries.

Thailand, Tom Yam and

America, hamburgers.

What about Finland?

Salmon?

Of course.

Just think, what is a typical

Japanese breakfast?

Broiled salmon.

See?

That's my point.

Both Japanese and Finns

love salmon.

Of course.

Actually, I just made

that up now.

To tell the truth,

I thought I'd do well here.

I thought Finland

would be the place.

But not yet.

I haven't had many customers.

The main thing I offer

is seasoned rice balls.

Rice balls. . . ?

Good day.

Welcome.

This is the chap who

speaks Japanese.

How are you?

Very well, thank you.

This is my friend,

Midori.

I'm Tommi Hiltnen.

Midori.

She knows the lyrics

of that song.

The Gatchaman song?

I'd better be off.

See you later.

Where's she going?

Sightseeing.

Hello.

Did you have a good time?

I saw almost all the

sightseeing spots.

You must be tired.

How about coffee?

Don't bother.

I've nothing else to do.

Sugar and milk?

I'll have milk, please.

Here you are.

Look, I've had a bit of a think.

Could I possibly help out

at the diner?

I can't just sponge off you.

I can clean, anything.

And I. . .

No, you wouldn't have to pay me.

I have my own money.

It's actually boring.

But are you sure?

I'm positive.

In that case, you're hired.

Thank you.

I really appreciate it.

There's another one here now.

Yes, you're right.

It's a big one this time.

Here's some cartoon trivia.

"Snufkin" is brother

to "Little My."

But different fathers, though.

They're half brothers.

No way !

You didn't know that?

There's so much we never

get to learn.

May I ask you a question?

Why did you take in a

total stranger like myself?

Well, because. . .

. . . anyone who can remember

that song can't be bad.

Perhaps. . .

Is that something you

just made up?

You can tell?

That's a perfect theme.

You've really hit the spot.

You think so?

It suits the diner's

atmosphere perfectly.

Hello.

Welcome.

Midori, you serve.

Here you are.

Please write my name

for me.

In script. . .

Ideographs?

In Chinese characters?

Tommi Hiltnen.

Tommi Hiltnen. . .

Ton (Pig) Mi (Body)

Hil (Day) Tnen (Pray)

What are you doing?

It's a form of Aikido.

A basic squat.

I've done it since

I was a child.

It's something I do

every night.

I used to practise Yoga.

This is a pose called

"lotus flower in early bloom."

I can see it.

Look, about the diner. . .

Since we don't have many

customers,

why not put ads in

the Helsinki guide books?

Now, Tommi

is our only customer.

But in fact,

he's not really.

He gets his coffee

for free.

But he was my

first customer.

He gets it free forever.

I reckon most Japanese think

our food is the world's best.

And I agree with that.

Any Japanese in a

foreign country

must surely miss Japanese food.

If they knew about

our diner,

we'd get far more customers.

But the thing is, I don't want to

cater to homesick Japanese

or Finns who are after

stereotypes like sushi or sake.

They want different things.

Different flavors?

It's a diner,

not a restaurant.

It's much more informal.

I want passers by

to drop in and eat.

If we keep working steadilly

we will get customers.

If not. . .

Then I'll just have

to close up shop.

But it will work out.

Listen, Midori.

If the world ended tomorrow,

what would you do?

If it ended tomorrow?

Give me an idea.

Well, first I'd want something

delicious to eat.

I knew it.

I'd want something grand for

my last meal, too.

I'd buy the finest produce

and make many dishes.

I'd invite all the people I love

to a big party.

Well . . .

Would you invite me, too?

Anyone who can recall the

Gatchaman song can't be a bad.

Welcome sir.

Coffee, please.

Certainly.

Delicious.

But it could be better.

Pardon?

Shall I teach you how to

make delicious coffee?

What's that?

It was there before

I took over.

"Kopi Luak."

What?

It's a charm.

"Kopi Luak. "

Good, isn't it?

It tastes better when someone

makes it for you.

How about some smoked fish?

Can I help you?

Reindeer?

This one?

Reindeer?

Yes, reindeer meat.

It's very delicious.

Young and beautiful.

So tender and juicy.

We have many meats.

Take a look.

"Kopi Luak."

Sorry I 'm late.

Hi there.

Would you like a coffee?

Sure, thanks.

Here you are.

Did you change the beans?

It's much better.

Welcome.

Hello.

Here you are.

Thank you.

Listen, Sachie.

Look, about the rice balls. . .

. . . even in Japan these days

the young people

go for more exotic

fillings in rice balls.

New varieties far

outsell traditional ones.

Doesn't that apply to

Finns, too?

We should offer

local ingredients.

Crayfish.

Herrings.

And reindeer meat.

I really want to see

business pick up.

I want them to

like our food.

I understand.

Let's give it a try.

Let's try them out.

Start with reindeer.

The Finns like

creamy stew dishes.

But this is a mismatch.

Maybe not.

They may like it.

Even if we Japanese don't,

they might.

I don't think it's working.

Then let's try herring next.

Now that goes very well

with rice balls.

No, it's far better

just by itself.

With rice, you really get

that fishy smell.

Crayfish doesn't do it

for me, either.

No good?

Not with rice, no.

The traditional fillings

are best.

Here, too.

Not just in Japan.

Can we talk?

Sorry about today.

I was too forward.

Not at all.

We gave it a try,

so all is not wasted.

Will you teach me that?

What is it?

A squat.

Please.

Sure.

Come over here.

First, get totally relaxed.

Breathe from the

center of your body.

Just below your navel.

OK?

It's difficult.

Nature and your spirit must

become one flowing unit.

You must be aware

of your center.

My center. . .

The center of your body.

On the right.

On the left.

On the right.

Midori.

Let's make

cinnamon rolls tomorrow.

What a lovely smell!

Delicious.

Let's try them.

Welcome.

Coffee and cinnamon rolls.

Me, too.

Certainly.

Here you are.

Finally, some customers.

Carnation

Amongst all flowers,

I love the carnation best

The carnation is my

very favorite flower

Can I get another coffee?

Me, too.

Sure.

Midori, more coffee here.

Thank you.

Hello.

Welcome.

Samurai spirit?

Yes, that's right.

Listen, Tommi.

Why don't you bring

your friends?

My friends?

Don't you have any friends?

I bet you don't.

Sachie, look outside.

What's with her?

She seemed to be angry.

Ready to serve.

Here you are.

Thank you.

It's that woman again.

There's one more !

Welcome.

Coffee, please.

Certainly.

Here you are.

Well . . .

Yes?

My luggage went missing.

I heard that it happens

sometimes when you transfer.

But I never expected it would

happen to me.

That was bad luck.

But I don't think

it's lost forever.

They're sure to locate it.

Give them a couple of days.

This is the third day.

Is that right?

How long do you

plan to stay?

I haven't decided.

Aren't you a tourist?

Let me see. . .

. . . I suppose I could be.

But then again, maybe not.

I haven't decided yet.

I'm enquiring if

my luggage has turned up.

Hello.

Welcome.

Geisha girl?

That's a Geisha.

Here's your coffee.

Thanks.

Here she is again.

What does she want?

Why does she have to

stare at us like that?

What is her problem?

Midori, what's the matter?

Nothing at all.

Welcome.

I'm back.

No sign of your luggage yet?

No.

I called them earlier, but no luck.

Coffee, please.

That's too bad.

All your valuables, I suppose.

My valuables?

I wonder if I have such things?

Here you are.

Thank you.

What about clean clothes?

I have some you can wear.

I'm sorry if I've made

you worry, too.

Not at all.

This is delicious.

Thank you for that.

How come you're running

a diner here?

I just help out.

It's Sachie's business.

Well, I'm hoping to meet

good looking men.

I'm kidding.

I envy you.

Doing exactly what you want.

No, I just don't do

what I don't like.

I can't keep wearing these clothes,

can I?

I shall go buy some.

Thanks for the coffee.

Thank you very much.

Still no sign of my luggage?

You want one?

Yes.

Here you are.

Thanks.

Welcome.

Where's that from?

I bought it.

A tad too colorful for me, perhaps?

Not at all.

It looks great.

Really?

Want a cinnamon roll?

Yes, please.

Here you are.

Welcome.

Koskenkorva, please.

Certainly.

Sorry, but I can't drink

strong spirits.

Sorry for all this.

Never mind.

I had no other plans, anyway.

This must be it.

Here?

Get some water.

OK, I'll go now.

Thank you for that.

Some water.

Very shy,

but ever so kind.

And always so relaxed.

That was my image of

Finnish people.

But a sad person is sad

in any country.

Of course.

Anywhere you go,

sad is sad.

And the lonely ones are lonely.

When the world ends,

be sure you invite me along.

Your reservation is confirmed.

There's no real reason.

I just get so depressed.

All I think is what to do. . .

Can you understand that?

I don't know what to do.

One day her husband told her

he was leaving her.

She asked why and he said

he just needed to be alone.

She doesn't know what

brought it about.

She doesn't know what

she should do now.

Is that right?

By the way Masako,

do you speak Finnish?

No, I don't.

Hello.

Welcome.

Here you are.

Tommi ,

thank you for yesterday.

You're welcome.

Thank you very much.

Take this.

Welcome.

Hello.

Sorry about yesterday.

Not at all.

I was impressed by your

nursing skills.

Much appreciated.

I was glad to help.

A cup of coffee?

Here you are.

Thank you.

Did you work in

healthcare back in Japan?

No, but my parents

were chronicaly ill.

I was their full time nurse.

I see.

Then I lost my mother

two years ago.

And my father died last year.

How can I put it?

After 2O years I was freed

from my burden.

That must have been

very trying for you.

I was changing Dad's

diaper one day,

while Finland was on

the TV.

On the news?

Yes, an air guitar contest.

I was really impressed.

What's an air guitar contest?

Contestants pretend they're

playing imaginary guitars.

One becomes the champion.

And a "carry the wife" race.

Cell phone throwing

and sauna endurance contests.

I was so impressed that people

took such stupid games so seriously.

They all looked to be so carefree.

Free from the

bonds of this world.

They all looked so calm

and peaceful.

That's why I came.

No other purpose.

Masako, just take it easy

and do nothing while you're here.

But actually, it's difficult

to just do nothing at all.

It sure is.

We tend to get distracted.

Then why are the Finns so

calm and laid back?

I wonder.

The forests.

Forests?

We have our forests.

I shall go to the forest.

Thanks for the coffee.

Ready to go.

Here you are.

Please.

Hello.

Welcome.

Hi there.

How was the forest?

I enjoyed it.

Did you get mushrooms?

Yes, I did.

I got lots of mushrooms.

But I lost them all.

You lost them?

They disappeared before I knew it.

I see.

Want something to eat?

Yes, I'll have rice balls.

Sachie, rice balls please.

Certainly.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I enjoyed the food.

Me, too.

Welcome.

Sorry about

the other day.

Are you OK now?

Much better, thank you.

Coffee and cinnamon rolls, please.

Certainly.

You're here, too?

Yes, I'm helping out.

I see.

Make yourself at home.

I have something to ask you.

Yes, what is it?

Do you cast spells in Japan?

Spells?

Yes, a way of cursing someone.

She's asking about curses.

Curses?

Nails in a straw dummy?

Make a dummy and pretend

it's someone you want to curse.

Then stab it with a

long, fat nail, or needle.

It's an old, traditional curse.

Have you ever tried it?

No, never.

No one does it,

right?

Closed

My little Kukka.

She died just after

my husband left me.

She so looked like. . .

Like what?

. . . like you.

Every time I saw you working

at the diner,

I thought about my dog.

I see.

But I must pull myself together.

That diner suits you very well.

Let's take a sauna later.

Want to go to a sauna?

Sauna?

Masako is really tough.

Over 20 minutes

in that sauna is a miracle.

You can enter the sauna

contest next year.

She says you should enter.

I was thinking about

the air guitar contest.

You?

Really?

Shouldn't I?

You'd make a cool air guitarist.

Maybe I'll try, too.

It's open.

You. . . ?

He used to run a shop here.

He made great coffee.

You only came for

what is yours.

But why sneak in like a thief?

How are your wife and

daughter doing?

Everyone has problems.

I'm hungry.

What's that?

It's a rice ball.

Japanese soul food.

Make sure to take back

what is yours.

I partake.

Have you heard of the

"Phantom of the Coffee?"

A small animal

called a Luak.

They choose to eat only

the sweetest coffee beans.

The beans are refined in their

stomachs and then excreted.

They make the best coffee beans.

But many luaks were caught

and they're rare now.

They're the

"Phantom of the Coffee."

I got some of those

precious beans from Matti.

Matti?

You mean the thief?

Let's try some.

Okay.

"Kopi Luak. "

What's that?

A charm to make it

taste better.

What a beautiful fragrance.

You want coffee?

Thank you.

It really is delicious.

It's great.

I've long wanted to ask you.

Ask me what?

Why choose rice balls

as your main dish?

Because rice balls are

the Japanese soul food.

I lost my Mom early on,

so I looked after the house.

My Dad made rice balls

twice a year for me.

Why twice?

On sports' day

and school excursions.

He said they always taste better

when someone else makes them.

He never made anything else.

No pretty lunches like

all my friends.

Just salmon, plum

and bonito rice balls.

They were huge and

badly shaped.

But they were

so delicious.

Still no sign of my luggage?

What?

Good morning.

They found it.

My luggage finally turned up.

So maybe it's time for me

to go back to Japan.

Ever heard this?

"Hattivatit" needs electricity to live.

You didn't know, right?

Electricity, eh?

There's so much we

never get to learn.

A creatures need something

to live on.

Will Masako go back

to Japan?

That's totally up to her.

Either way,

we should be happy for her.

I agree.

Look, this may sound strange.

What?

If I decided to go back to Japan,

would you miss me?

Are you going?

No, only if I did.

I wonder.

I've been by myself

from the beginning.

You have your own life.

So you wouldn't miss me?

I didn't say that.

So you won't miss me?

Of course I'd miss you.

That's enough.

But, eventually,

everything must change.

Everyone will change.

I hope it's for the better.

Everything will work out.

Perhaps.

I hope so, too.

Something's wrong

with my luggage.

Yes. . .

. . . well, there's no doubt that

it's my luggage, no.

But somehow,

something is very different.

What's up?

A strange man gave me a cat.

So now I can't go home.

I think I'll stay here

for a while onger.

Can I continue to

help out here?

Of course, you can.

My best regards to you.

To you, too.

From me, too.

Thank you.

Hello.

Welcome.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Thanks.

Koskenkorva, please.

Hi, there.

How are you?

Hello.

You look pretty today.

My husband suddenly

turned up.

He couldn't live without me

after all.

Sorry to have troubled you.

Rice balls, please.

Good.

Thank you.

The KAMOME DINER. . .

. . . is full at last.

Did you notice?

Masako bows far too politely,

doesn't she?

Let me show you how.

Welcome.

See?

Is that too polite?

No.

Being polite is good.

But Midori's bow is

way too rough.

No, it isn't.

Let me show you how.

Welcome.

See?

What do you think?

It's a right.

It suits her.

Sachie's "welcome" is

very attractive, I think.

You reckon?

Indeed, it is.

Your "welcome"

is excellent.

C'mon, show us.

Don't start.

Why not?

Just a bit.

Stop it.

Hello.

Welcome.

Satomi Kobayashi

Hairi Katagiri

Masako Motai

Produced by

Hanako Kasumizawa

Executive Producers :

Seiji Okuda, Mitsuru Oshima

Masayasu Ishihara

Shuichi Komuro, Kumi Kobata

Producers :

Enma Maekawa, Mayumi Amano

Associate Producer :

Keiko Morishita

Music by

Tatsuro Kondo

Origina Story by

Yoko Mure

Ending Theme Song by

Yosui Inoue

Written & Directed by

Naoko Ogigami

English Subtitles by

Stuart J Walton (Sprout)

Kamome Diner (2006) - full transcript