Summer Lights (2016) - full transcript

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Yasué?

Could you sit in the chair

so I can frame the shot?

Is it ok for you?

Let's get a little closer.

There.

What do you think?

Perfect.

- Great.

- Let's do it.

- Call Mrs Takeda in.

- Ok.

Air-conditioning off?

Yes.

Welcome, Mrs Takeda.

Please take a seat.

Before we start,

we'll set up your microphone.

Fine.

Excuse me, may I?

Thank you.

Please make sure you look at me.

Not the camera.

I will.

Don't worry

if you stutter or make a mistake.

I'm sure I'll be fine.

We can do another take.

Right.

Mrs Takeda,

can you say something, please?

I don't know what to say!

That's fine.

I was just checking

the level of your voice.

- Ok for you?

- Perfect.

Rolling.

- Ready?

- Yes.

Let's begin.

First, could you describe

the general atmosphere

in the city

before the bomb was dropped?

For example,

what was your life like

before the explosion?

That summer was especially hot.

The air was thick,

suffocating.

Life was hard.

But, for some time,

we'd been under the impression

that the war was coming to an end.

We lived alone,

my mother, my sister and I.

My father had died

a few years earlier,

shortly after he was called up.

We would get up early

in the morning.

My mother worked from home,

sewing for neighbours.

In her free time,

she helped her sister

who had a farm in the country.

She wasn't paid any money,

but she brought vegetables back home.

Whenever she'd come back

from the country,

it was always

like a celebration for us.

We were so eager to see

what she'd brought back

that my sister Michiko and I,

would quickly run home.

At that time,

nobody had enough to eat.

Food was scarce.

How old were you then,

Mrs Takeda?

I was 14.

And your sister?

My sister Michiko was 20.

She was a nurse at a hospital.

She was very beautiful,

and she was always smiling.

If it hadn't been for the war,

all the boys would have

been after her.

She would've been married already.

Can you tell us what happened

the day of the bombing?

The public works site

where I worked and the hospital

where Michiko worked

were in the same direction,

so we walked part of the

way together.

I don't remember why,

but that morning,

we were quite happy,

as we walked along.

Given the climate at that time,

some thought it inappropiate

for us to laugh.

But it was the only way we could

cope with the hardships

of the time.

Michiko went off towards the hospital

and I carried on my way.

When I arrived,

I didn't even have time

to greet my friends.

There was a huge flash

of white light,

immediately followed by

a deafening noise.

It was so loud

it left your ears ringing.

Then everything went black.

I don't know

how much time went by.

The blast of the explosion

had thrown me to the ground.

Fortunately,

I was shielded by a building.

That was what saved me.

At the time I didn't realise

how lucky I was.

When I stood up,

I saw that in that split second,

the world had changed.

All around me,

houses had been flattened

just like houses of cards.

We could even see the mountains.

Before the explosion,

we couldn't see them from there.

People were moaning in pain.

Many schoolgirls

had been hit full on

by the explosion

and were lying all around me.

Some, their flesh raw,

were writhing in pain.

Others were completely burnt

and not moving at all.

Only a few of us were unharmed.

We were all petrified with shock.

I'm sure it only

lasted a short time,

but it felt like an eternity.

What could we do?

How could we help the injured?

I had to do something.

I had to find Michiko.

I set off immediately.

Michiko was a nurse.

She would know what to do.

Outside the hospital

it was terrible.

Crowds of injured people

kept pouring in,

but nothing could be done for them.

In the hospital courtyard,

they were laying them on the ground.

Doctors and nurses

were running in all directions,

but their efforts were in vain.

When I finally spotted Michiko,

I cried out her name.

She turned towards me

and ran down the corridor

full of injured people.

We hugged each other and cried.

Michiko had to stay at the hospital.

She asked me to go find Mother,

so she and I

could look for my friends

and try to help them.

So...

you left the hospital?

Yes.

What I saw on my way home

defies description.

It was so horrific.

The ground was strewn

with burnt bodies, living and dead.

There were burnt cows and horses

with swollen bellies.

All the houses and pylons

were flattened.

The river was blood red

from burnt people

who had jumped into the water

and drowned.

The further I went,

the worse it became.

People were trapped under beams.

They were shouting, "Help!"

for someone to come to their aid.

Others were dying, their heads black

and swollen like balloons.

In the faintest of voices,

they begged us

to bring them water.

Others walked aimlessly,

their arms outstretched,

wandering around like ghosts.

Ghosts.

They were virtually naked.

Their skin had peeled off.

Strips of skin hung off them.

All over their bodies and hands.

It was impossible

to tell men from women.

I turned around

and saw a man in a cart.

His stomach was split open.

It was black inside.

White liquid gushed

from that black hole.

Up until that morning,

all these people had been

leading normal lives.

Like never before,

the blood rushed to my head.

I could not accept

that someone had done this

to human beings.

I was only a child,

but I have never felt so angry,

before or since.

Never, ever.

In all my life.

Mrs Takeda,

would you like to take a break?

Would you like some water?

No, I'm fine.

We can continue.

Very well.

Did you manage to find your mother?

No, everything was in flames.

I couldn't go any further.

I was still far from home,

and I had to turn back

to escape the flames.

I joined the crowds

that were running from the fire,

just like me.

I can't count all the people

I left behind to die,

despite their pleas for help.

Many fell down along the way,

and died on the roadside.

By the time I reached

my aunt's house, it was very late.

Sadly, my mother wasn't there.

Over the next few days,

we hoped in vain

that my mother

would come back to us.

I was very distressed,

so my aunt offered

to help me find my mother.

A few days later,

we set off together

towards the city centre.

The city was completely destroyed.

There was nothing but ash

everywhere,

and no trace whatsoever

of my mother.

To cheer me up,

my aunt told me she was sure

my mother was alive.

She said she'd probably

taken refuge somewhere,

and would come back to us.

She wanted to make me feel better.

She wrote a note saying

we were at her house

and that we were fine.

She stuck it

to a piece of charred wood.

The days went by,

but my mother

never came back to us.

We never found her body

or her bones.

We couldn't give her

a proper funeral.

When did you see your sister again?

After leaving the note

for my mother,

we went to see my sister

at the hospital.

We found Michiko hard at work.

She looked exhausted.

She went tirelessly

from one injured person to another.

When I told her

Mother had disappeared,

that she wasn't at our house

or at our aunt's,

she didn't cry.

She asked us to leave,

saying she didn't have time,

she had to get right back to work.

She said she would come to us

as soon as the situation

was under control

and she could leave the hospital.

Eventually,

Michiko came back to us,

one month later.

She was so exhausted.

She was terribly gaunt.

We could see on her face

how much she'd been affected

by what she'd gone through

as she cared for the dying.

During the first few days,

many of the injured died.

But then,

something strange began to happen.

Some who were recovering

and others who appeared

to have survived unharmed,

began to develop a strange illness.

Their hair fell out.

They lost a lot of weight.

Their skin broke out

in purple blotches.

And they died,

as if from exhaustion.

We began calling it

the A-bomb disease.

Obviously, I was very happy

when Michiko came home.

But shortly after she arrived

at my aunt's house,

Michiko asked

if she could rest a little.

A bit later,

I went to wake her for dinner.

She was in a deep sleep.

I knelt down by her side,

not sure whether to let her sleep

or wake her.

I didn't know what to do.

I put my hand on her head

and stroked her.

A big clump of hair came out...

in my hand.

Michiko woke up.

She turned her face

to look at me.

She took my hand in hers

and she smiled at me.

She asked me

not to cry.

But I could not stop crying.

So she gently dried the tears

that were falling down my cheeks.

Michiko was very brave

right to the very end.

She never complained.

As the days went by,

her pain grew increasingly intense

and became unbearable.

I felt so helpless.

All I could do

was wipe her forehead

with a damp towel

and stay by her side,

holding her hand.

Then one day, in her sleep,

Michiko died.

In spite of everything,

life had to carry on.

But I have not been able to forget

for one second

the hell we went through.

Mrs Takeda,

thank you

for your precious testimony.

You know, I have done all I can

to escape the bomb.

When I was 18,

I left Hiroshima

and settled in Tokyo.

I wanted to forget the bomb,

erase it from my memory.

For a long time,

I told no one I was a survivor.

Now all I can do is talk about it.

It's my way of fighting back.

You're very brave.

Summer Lights

Could you help them tidy up?

Just one thing.

The producer called.

He wants to see a rough cut

as soon as possible.

He's booked a cutting room

for Monday.

Monday's no good.

I'll show it to him

as soon as it's ready.

Don't blame me,

I'm just the messenger.

Yeah, I know.

I'm going for some fresh air.

I'll call him.

Then I'll head

straight back to the hotel.

What's the plan

for this afternoon?

Philippe's shooting without me.

We'll do the night shots together.

Don't stay up too late,

we've got an early flight tomorrow.

It won't take long.

See you later.

Eric, hi.

I got your message.

I'm just calling to say

there's no need to rush

post-production.

We won't make Monday.

Don't bother bringing in an editor.

Ok?

Bye.

Excuse me,

do you understand

Japanese?

I am Japanese.

Sorry!

You were speaking a foreign language,

so I assumed...

I live in France, in Paris.

I've lived there 20 years.

Have you come back to visit family?

No, for work.

If you don't mind me asking,

what do you do?

I'm a filmmaker.

Movies!

I love movies!

I don't make movies.

I make television documentaries.

Documentaries?

I'm making one about

the 70th anniversary of the bombing

for French television.

I just interviewed a survivor.

It was tough.

So much suffering...

Were you not aware

of what happened here?

Yes, of course I was.

At least I thought I was.

So that's why you came here.

You needed some time alone.

And next thing you know,

I turn up

and pester you with my

silly questions!

I don't mind.

I'm glad to hear it.

- Are you from Hiroshima?

- Yes, I was born and raised here.

My accent gives me away!

Yes, a bit.

I imagine I must seem naĂŻve to you.

You know everything that happened.

You're mistaken.

It's extremely difficult to fathom

what happened here.

Only with time

do we slowly begin

to perceive

what had previously

been invisible to us.

For example?

Come with me.

I'll show you.

As they tried to flee the fire

after the explosion,

thousands of injured people

drowned here.

The river swallowed their bodies.

They were trapped in the silt.

For many years,

we would see,

at low tide,

an old woman

searching the riverbanks.

She would collect

bits of bone or clothing

that had been washed up

by the tides.

Even those among us

who have already died

resist, in their own way,

their inevitable disappearance.

You know a lot.

Don't let appearances fool you.

For example,

I spend time

in Peace Memorial Park

because this place feels

very alive to me.

Alive?

Alive...

To tell you the truth,

these stories are difficult

for me to take in.

You're not alone.

We all find them difficult

to take in.

To give you an example,

over there

are the ashes

of 70,000 victims of the bomb.

But over there,

on the banks of the river,

the local children all fish together.

In the evenings,

young musicians play gleefully

and drink beer.

Seeing them enjoying themselves,

we can feel

life reasserting itself

among the ruins.

Life does that, whether or not

we keep wallowing in sadness

or refuse to accept it.

Once we make up our mind,

all we have to do

is open our eyes

and everything is there to be seen.

Let's go get some okonomiyaki!

It'll do you good

and stop me talking so much.

That's kind of you, but I have

to meet my crew at the hotel.

Do you know what okonomiyaki is?

Everyone does!

But you haven't tried it.

That's true.

I haven't had time.

You may never come here again,

and you won't find it in Paris.

After lunch,

you can go meet your crew

at the hotel.

Besides, you have to eat something.

True, but...

You're very persuasive!

I don't know what you study,

but I suggest you go into business

or politics.

Is that a yes?

That's a yes.

Do you know a restaurant?

We'll find one when we get there.

You'll have to lead the way.

I don't know my way around the city.

With great pleasure!

Look!

Uniforms?

I hated them when I was little.

Aren't you nostalgic

for your school days?

Not at all!

I had to leave school early

in order to train as a nurse.

In the end,

I quite liked nurse training.

But our white coats

weren't as stylish

as the school uniforms.

The schoolgirls were

far more fashionable than we were!

You talk as if you were an old woman.

I am an old woman!

An old woman

who is as young as a student.

A student of business

or political science!

Those look delicious!

- Shall we try one?

- They're for tea ceremonies!

So what?

You can't buy these

like you would any ordinary pastries!

You're so old-fashioned!

You talk to a stranger

on the street...

but when it comes to cakes or clothes,

you're old school.

Clothes?

What's wrong with my clothes?

They're a bit retro for your age.

It's just a yukata.

Don't you like it?

Please don't take it badly.

It suits you.

It's just so traditional.

So you don't like my yukata!

Don't be offended.

How about this?

I'm not sure.

It's lovely...

It would suit me!

It's perfect,

if you want to stand out.

I don't really care to stand out.

This one, then!

I'm not sure it's any better.

I'll try it on.

It'll make me look Parisian!

It's always best

to choose a busy restaurant.

Very true.

Welcome!

Shall we sit here?

- The menu.

- Thank you.

Water!

- Here.

- I know what I want.

Looks delicious!

What'll it be?

I'll have a regular.

Me too, with lots of cabbage!

Coming right up.

And a beer, please.

One beer!

Thank you.

That's enough, thank you.

Let me serve you.

- Let me serve you.

- Be my guest.

Thank you.

Cheers!

Is that bonito fish?

Yes, dried and ground.

That's right.

Nobody ever used to put noodles

in okonomiyaki.

No, they didn't.

Just vegetables.

We used to eat a lot of vegetables

to fill us up.

Back then, there was no food.

No meat, no eggs, obviously.

You mean during

the Second World War?

That's right.

We ate all the vegetables

we could get our hands on.

It was terrible.

Really awful.

We ate grass to survive.

We even ate weeds.

Now that we live

in times of peace,

nobody remembers

the horrors of the war.

We did what we could to survive.

And we're still here.

People your age don't know

what we went through during the war.

You can listen to people's stories

and try to imagine it,

then forget what you just learned.

Boss, shall I clear the table?

Lost in your thoughts?

Somewhat.

Before the bomb,

there were many houses

where the park is now.

Over on that side

was my grandfather's house

where my parents lived.

The bomb...

was supposed to drop right here

where we're standing.

But...

it veered slightly off-course.

It struck behind

that building over there.

Anyway,

a few metres one way or the other

makes no difference for

houses made of wood.

They all burst into flame

and burnt to the ground.

Very few people who lived here

managed to survive.

Do you know

what happened to the survivors?

No.

Since they had nowhere to go,

they came back

to live amongst the ruins.

They used the debris

as best they could

to build temporary shelters.

You can't imagine

what they went through

to rebuild their lives.

For instance,

one day,

it was decided that the whole area

would be demolished

in order to build a memorial park.

Some people protested.

Others refused to leave.

But their efforts were in vain.

The shacks were pulled down,

one by one.

Those who lived in them

were evicted,

one by one.

But today,

their story has been forgotten.

No one mentions it.

Come.

Let's go.

A documentary should be made

about this.

It would be moving.

But no channel would want it.

In France, nobody gives a damn

about Hiroshima.

There's a programme every so often,

to clear our conscience.

Perhaps this is a silly idea,

but why don't you make a film?

On your own, without television.

Because films are made

for people to watch them.

Otherwise it's futile.

You've come all the way

to Hiroshima

to interview survivors.

That's not futile.

To be honest,

I've always dreamt of making films.

I even went to film school in Paris.

Actually,

it was also an excuse

to get away and leave Japan.

As it turns out,

I've never made a film.

I've written several scripts.

But no producer

has ever been interested in them.

When my parents quit

sending me money,

I could either return to Japan

or work in television.

It was meant to be temporary,

but I'm still doing it.

Do you have children?

Why do you ask?

I don't know.

It just occurred to me.

No, I don't have any children.

You're not married?

No, I'm not.

How very sad.

Sad?

You know,

it's different in France.

People can live together

without being married.

Even if they have children.

How very unusual!

Maybe it is to you.

In Japan,

the most important thing

is to follow customs and conventions.

Love doesn't come into it.

Why do you say that?

Because it's true!

Are you sure of that?

Perhaps.

I don't know.

I always used to blame everything

on everyone else.

Of course

I was partly responsible.

I'm afraid I haven't changed much.

I'm still running away.

Perhaps the only thing

I've learnt as I've gotten older

is that it's hard to know

when to let something go and move on.

Come on!

I can't keep up.

It's hard.

Wait...

Slow down a bit.

We'll miss the train!

Train?

What train?

I'm too old to run so far.

Hurry up!

Where are we going?

You can't do that!

- Hurry up!

- What're you doing?

Sorry!

Come on!

You didn't need to do all that.

We could've bought tickets.

We don't even know

where we're going.

I do.

We're going to the seaside.

- The seaside?

- Yes.

If I'd asked you to come with me,

you'd have said no.

Perhaps, but why all the running?

I'm too old.

You're not so old.

You seem very youthful,

for someone

who could be my father.

You know what?

I've never seen the sea.

Hiroshima is on the coast!

I know,

but the seaside is inaccessible.

There are nothing

but factories over there.

There isn't much of a coastline.

Besides, the rare times

my family and I left the city,

we went to the countryside.

As odd as it may seem,

I've never been to the sea.

How beautiful!

Come on!

What're you catching?

Fish.

Wow!

You caught all those?

Yes.

Fantastic!

Very impressive!

You must be a proud little boy.

I'm not little!

I'm eight.

Of course.

Eight is a very grown-up age.

What's your name?

Yuji.

And my grandpa's name is...

What's your name again?

Aoki.

I know that.

My last name is Aoki too.

What's your first name?

Etsuro.

That's it, Etsuro.

Etsuro Aoki.

Pleased to meet you, Mr Aoki.

I'm Akihiro Hatamoto.

Let's not stand on ceremony.

May I call you by your first name?

Of course.

Very well, Akihiro.

Pleased to meet you.

Pleased to meet you, Mr Etsuro.

I'm Michiko.

- Michiko Takeda.

- Pleased to meet you.

Michiko Takeda?

Michiko Takeda?

The hibakusha

I interviewed this morning...

Grandpa?

What's a hibakusha?

The hibakusha are survivors

of the atomic bomb.

That's right.

Her sister's name was...

The same as mine?

Yuji, can you teach me to fish?

If you like.

To cast your line out

as far as you can,

lean back, lunge forward and...

Cast it out there forcefully,

then release.

Like this?

Hang on.

It's caught on your skirt.

It's ok now.

Cast the line.

Not bad!

I've got a bite!

It's huge!

Mr Etsuro!

Please help.

What a surprise!

- It's huge!

- It sure is!

Can I grab it?

Think you can?

The biggest fish

in the Inland Sea!

We'll make sashimi with it.

We'll eat so much

we'll be big as sumo wrestlers!

We could grill it on the barbeque.

Good idea!

Shall we have a barbeque, then?

All of us, together?

- I'd love that.

- You would?

Then let's do it.

We wouldn't want to impose.

It's no problem.

Is it, Michiko?

I would be delighted, Mr Etsuro.

I'm getting hungry!

So am I!

A barbecue it is, then?

Shall we go?

Can I help?

We'll clear up and head home.

I'll take this.

It's this way.

I'll take the bucket for you.

Must be lovely,

living by the sea.

Yeah, it's great.

Where do you live?

In France.

What do you do?

Me?

Yeah.

- I work.

- Doing what?

I work in TV.

- I love TV.

- Do you?

Do you watch every day?

Grandpa doesn't want me

to watch too much.

A little bit is ok!

- Do you like cartoons?

- Yeah.

What cartoons do you have?

In France?

A long time ago

we had "Oliver and Benji".

What about now?

- Here are the plates.

- Go get them.

Thank you.

Where are your parents?

My parents?

My mother...

Aubergines.

My mother's in Tokyo.

I don't know where my father is.

You don't know?

- Don't you live with him?

- No.

Vegetables...

Yuji, will your mother

come for the holidays?

My mother...

I don't know.

You don't know?

And here's our catch!

- Shall we cook it all?

- If you like.

Let's have a toast.

Beer, Michiko?

Just a drop!

A drop for me too.

No, not for you.

Want some soda?

A speech, Michiko?

A spee...

- You then, Mr Aoki?

- Me?

In that case...

Thank you very much for coming.

Thank you for inviting us.

It's just a modest party,

but I hope we enjoy ourselves.

Cheers!

Will you put it on the grill?

There are loads of vegetables.

I have to pee.

I'll have some beer.

I'm thirsty.

Yuji is a wonderful boy.

He sure is.

When Yuji came to live with me,

I was so very pleased.

He loved it here right away.

He loves the sea.

Yuji told me

he doesn't live with his mother.

His mother was bored here.

She hated this village

and this house.

She left for Tokyo

as soon as she could.

She set out seeking adventure.

I suppose you could say that.

Unfortunately,

the adventure was short-lived.

She met Yuji's father,

but he left her

before Yuji was born.

She managed to look after him

on her own

for the first few years.

Anyway,

she worked in a nightclub...

Yuji, don't stand there on your own.

Aren't you forgetting something?

- Today is Obon.

- The Festival of the Ancestors!

Are you coming, Michiko?

Yes, I'll come!

- You too, Akihiro.

- Ok, let's go.

We'll go to the festival later.

- First, fetch your sparklers.

- Good idea.

Have you found them?

Any luck?

Here they are.

You have so many!

Can you light mine?

- Can we draw in the air?

- We sure can.

Let's sign to the boats.

S.O.S.

Help!

Let's sign to the islands.

Here.

It's gone out.

I lose.

Me, too.

Mr Etsuro...

Only normal!

I'm the eldest.

It's sad,

like a life fading away.

All together!

One, two...

Go on.

Here they go.

Which one of us will win?

Go on!

We're all at the same level.

Here they go.

How beautiful!

So very tiny!

What a lovely sound.

Brings back sweet memories.

So beautiful!

Mine's gone out.

Shall we go to the festival?

Yes, let's go!

The Festival of the Ancestors!

Shall we dance?

Good idea!

I can't dance.

I'm sure Mr Etsuro can show you.

Of course.

Really?

- Have you learnt the steps?

- No.

Here you are.

Juice for you.

Sake for us.

Are you sure?

The festival was great.

I'm exhausted.

Let me serve you.

Here you are.

Thank you.

Yuji, a toast?

Cheers!

This is good.

My turn!

Are you up for it?

The guitar!

Wow!

Great!

What a clown!

Well done!

That was great!

I aced it.

Ah, Michiko!

And now,

ladies and gentlemen,

here's what you've all

been waiting for.

Thank you.

For her unrivalled beauty

and inimitable talent,

she is famous all over the country.

She is with us here tonight,

for you.

Just for you, only for you,

especially for you.

Tonight, Miss Michiko will sing

a classical Japanese song.

Ladies and gentlemen,

please give her a warm welcome.

Happily!

I have waited for love

And I am still waiting

Inconsolable, I wilt

Like a night flower

Tonight, even the moon

Does not appear

Darkness falls over the river

Only one star shines

And the night flower

Wilts and fades away

Tonight, even the wind

Seems to moan

How beautiful!

- Need a hand?

- No, thank you.

You seem preoccupied.

My crew called me

several times.

I must return to Tokyo

tomorrow morning.

I have a flight to Paris.

I must go back to Hiroshima

as soon as possible.

Don't worry about your crew.

They can manage.

Call them tomorrow

to put their minds at ease.

Michiko...

thank you.

What for?

Everything.

You have to go now, don't you?

Good morning!

Good morning?

Morning!

Daytime already...

Where's Michiko?

Michiko?

She left last night,

while you were asleep.

She said goodbye.

Why did she go?

It's kind of hard to explain.

Michiko is a bit like a ghost.

And ghosts

can appear and disappear anytime.

Do you understand?

Is that true, Grandpa?

Yes.

People go to Obon

with their families.

They eat together.

They sing songs.

They dance together.

It's a day when ghosts

can visit their families.

But Michiko isn't part of my family.

Are you sure?

Perhaps sometimes,

you can make your own family.

What do you think?

I hope so, anyway.

Shall we have some breakfast?

Shall we eat?

Are you hungry?

Let's go.

Akihiro, if you want a shower,

I'll give you a towel.

Thank you.

You can have a shave, too.

English subtitles by Sionann O'Neill