Ten Nights of Dreams (2006) - full transcript
Based on renowned Japanese writer Natsume Soseki's same-titled short story collection, Ten Nights of Dreams brings ten fantastical dream sequences to film with great visual and psychological panache. Representing the combined efforts of eleven directors, this outstanding anthology delves into the surreal subconscious with ten madly imaginative, reality-subverting visions that range from wonderfully wacky to nightmarishly unsettling.
A Seventh Night of Dreams:
Loneliness
Directed by
Yoshitaka Amano & Simmei Kawahara
It is a tremendously large ship.
Everyday, every night,
It moves forward cutting through the waves,
ceaselessly fuming back smoke.
Ugh, ughm...
Excuse me...
Excuse me.
Where is this ship heading?
It looks as though it's going after the setting sun.
Wait, wait a second.
Please do listen to me.
Hey, hey!!
End of the sun that heads toward the West,
it that East.
Is that ture? Of false?
Excuse me...
Home of the sun rising from East,
is that West? Or is that the middle?
Bodies on the waves. Rudder on the pillow.
Let it flow, let it flow.
Not a single person takes a look at me...
Just where is it that this ship is heading?
The color of the ocean is blue.
Even looks purple.
Around where the ship moves
is always pure white bubbles
What is this unbearable solitude...
that linger on a ship like this...
Should I die
Wonder if it hurts to die...
Can I sit here?
Oh, sure, sure.
Someone like you is on the board as well.
I...
Even single person I talk to shows
completely no interest,
you are the first one who talked to me.
Where is this?
What?
Uncle, Who are you?
Don't call me uncle...
It feels kind of awkward here...
Yes, year I know.
I was feeling the same way...
What am I doing...
She's alone, too.
Fells insecure and anxious.
Everyone is indifferent in this world.
There is no one
who would really care about me...
But, only if I could talk to them properly...
Where did she go?
What's that...
What is this place?
Ouch!
Is that her?
Ha. She has immersed herself pretty well.
Good for her,
she can find a place to belong to like that.
But I...
This uneasiness,
I can't be a jack-of-all-trades like her...
This city where everyone is
snuggled up to each other
to relieve their loneliness, what is it to live...
What is it to live...
Is this called living?
Keep lying to oneself like this
and devouring time
that passes by in mediocrity?
Opps.
Look,
you can't always have it your way.
Everyone is just being moved
by something larger than onself.
One wants to believe that he or she is special,
but the time will come when one realizes
that is not the case in the end.
I know that,
but still there's this part of me that is awkward.
To die is to become nil?
But, what is this pounding of my heart?
Am I alive?
It is so strange.
I'm just even sure whether
it was my own will that I had jumped.
But I do want to live, as it is now.
Didn't realize,
the world is so vast.
As he steps forward to find out what happens,
deep black ocean awaits.
Releases his Heart that is still in captivity,
slowly falls toward what lies beyond infinity.
The End
An Eighth Night of Dreams:
Imagine
Directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita
That's huge!
What bait did you use?
Fish paste.
Just fish paste?
That's unbelievable.
What bait?
It's awesome! - It's huge.
He used fish paste. - Really?
You caught this with fish paste?
Just fish paste?
That's awesome!
What were you using?
He used fish paste.
It's very long.
He's lying.
No, he's not.
Mitsu never lies.
If he said he did, he did.
Ouch! It's sticky!
It's heavy. Let me help you.
Wow
Listen, Mitsu.
You'll soon tire of it.
What if it dies?
Where can we dump it?
I'll feed it. I'll get stuck looking after it.
Mom won't like it.
I will call health center.
Riki, no!
Hello, Grandpa.
Listen to me, Mitsu.
We'll talk to uncle in the hills.
Riki.
Will it change form?
I know it will!
That was delicious.
Soseki, forty one years old
The Eighth Night by Soseki
I've previously written of Unkei,
the sculptor.
This is his place.
But what if it's not?
He's still asleep.
He sleeps in the daytime.
Who'll do it?
You.
No, let's all do it.
You started it.
Alright. Say it together.
One, two!
Come on, say it.
Alright, I will.
One, two!
Master Ogai!
The End
Father went away,
One moonless night,
I have received my call to duty.
I shall perform my military duties.
As a son of Japan,
I have longed for this opportunity.
I am honored to serve.
I ask you to care for my beloved son,
and my helpless wife,
while I serve my country. In your stead,
I shall fight like a demon for our sacred land.
I shall pit my life against the enemy.
Thank you very much.
To the Japanese Empire,
Banzai!
Banzai!
Banzai!
Banzai! - Banzai...
A Ninth Night of Dreams:
Family Love
Pray for your Daddy's safe return.
Did you say a prayer?
You're a good boy.
Don't go!
Are all present?
On my order,
attack!
Go!
Can't you do something?
Like what?
Must you leave us
and to go off to war?
I didn't marry a soldier.
I did it because I wanted
to share my life with you.
So you would be by my side forever.
Daddy!
Heaven can be wherever you are
Here he comes, such a slacker is he
It's Onikichi, the so fast on his feet
Yes, here he comes, back for more...
Here I come, sweetheart.
Mommy!
You said you hated the military.
Not so loud. Walls have ears.
You told me you hated the army,
didn't you?
Let me explain.
I'll be very careful and
I promise I'll come back to you.
What does that mean?
What will I do without you?
Without you
my life meaningless.
Calm down,
dear
Not my draft card!
It's not our war.
Just leave it there.
I beg you!
Look what you've done.
I don't care.
My draft card...
The time has come, I tell you now
Take your time, no need for haste
We shall meet again,
some other time, in another place
Directed by Miwa Nishikawa
Isn't that Shotaro?
It is.
He went missing, didn't he?
Someone go tell Ken Someone go tell Ken
Better tell him.
He looks terrible.
Oh, he's dead.
A Tenth Night of Dreams:
Egoism
Directed by Yudai Yamaguchi
He's awake!
He's alive!
Are you alright?
Ken,
isn't that my panama hat?
Yes, you're right.
Sorry about that.
How on earth did you make it back
What happened? - I'd rather not say.
Hey...
On second thoughts,
I haven't much time.
I'd best tell the story.
Look
There's Shotaro again
with his panama hat and cane.
He only works afternoons.
What a loafer.
He's the best looking kid in town,
and he's got a good heart.
Women come from miles around
to see him.
But all he does all day
is stare out at the street.
What's he's thinking?
Look, here's another one
I bet she comes just to look at him, too.
His business does well.
The luck of the handsome.
No matter who it is,
he keeps his cool.
That's what you get for being upright.
The ugly have no right to live!
Go to hell, you ugly pig!
Excuse me.
Excuse me?
When the mysterious Yoshino appeared,
Shotaro left town as if bewitched.
He had no idea that this would bring him
a living hell,
worse than he could ever imagine.
Pig bowl (Large)
Pig?
I hope you like it.
Does its lusciousness delight even you?
Go ahead, eat. No need to hesitate.
Delicious!
Oh, I'm so full.
I've never expected pig
to taste so good.
Very good!
In that case,
I'll show you how we make it.
Ouch!
Are you ready?
Faster, faster. Go, go!
Why are they so ugly?
As you can see,
all our ingredients are fresh and pure.
Naturally,
we use no artificial additives.
All of our processes use the
most hygienic materials.
Next, it is heated to 80 degrees
in a large pot.
And special, succulent slices
are added for flavor.
It is then simmered to perfection.
Next, is our most secret ingredient.
Special, selected spices
make for a perfect finish.
What a waste.
That was made especially for you.
You can't be serious!
That's not pig,
it's human!
Culinary Armageddon!
A filthy, self-absorbed killer, like you,
deserves nothing less than that!
Who the hell are you?
At that moment,
he recalled the words of his friend,
Gennai Hiraga,
(The nameless inventor.)
If you're ever in the clutches of
maddened monsters,
just push this button.
No need. It's highly unlikely to happen.
Now!
Thank you, Gennai.
Fart attack!
Ouch!
Shall I show you my true self?
Oh
What?
Smells like shit.
It hurts
Forgive me.
I'll never kill anyone again.
I am so sorry.
I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.
I beg you. Please.
I'm really very sorry.
Is that right?
How did you get hurt?
You never mentioned that.
This, you mean?
As I was on my way back...
to happen
That's all. - Really?
I'd better get some sleep.
It's time to die.
But Shotaro did not die.
He lived on until his 138th year.
And he became the world's first astronaut.
No way!
That'll never happen to me.
It happened!
Thank you, Gennai.
The End
A hundred years...
Is it here already?
Ten Nights of Dreams
Or will it take another hundred years?
Loneliness
Directed by
Yoshitaka Amano & Simmei Kawahara
It is a tremendously large ship.
Everyday, every night,
It moves forward cutting through the waves,
ceaselessly fuming back smoke.
Ugh, ughm...
Excuse me...
Excuse me.
Where is this ship heading?
It looks as though it's going after the setting sun.
Wait, wait a second.
Please do listen to me.
Hey, hey!!
End of the sun that heads toward the West,
it that East.
Is that ture? Of false?
Excuse me...
Home of the sun rising from East,
is that West? Or is that the middle?
Bodies on the waves. Rudder on the pillow.
Let it flow, let it flow.
Not a single person takes a look at me...
Just where is it that this ship is heading?
The color of the ocean is blue.
Even looks purple.
Around where the ship moves
is always pure white bubbles
What is this unbearable solitude...
that linger on a ship like this...
Should I die
Wonder if it hurts to die...
Can I sit here?
Oh, sure, sure.
Someone like you is on the board as well.
I...
Even single person I talk to shows
completely no interest,
you are the first one who talked to me.
Where is this?
What?
Uncle, Who are you?
Don't call me uncle...
It feels kind of awkward here...
Yes, year I know.
I was feeling the same way...
What am I doing...
She's alone, too.
Fells insecure and anxious.
Everyone is indifferent in this world.
There is no one
who would really care about me...
But, only if I could talk to them properly...
Where did she go?
What's that...
What is this place?
Ouch!
Is that her?
Ha. She has immersed herself pretty well.
Good for her,
she can find a place to belong to like that.
But I...
This uneasiness,
I can't be a jack-of-all-trades like her...
This city where everyone is
snuggled up to each other
to relieve their loneliness, what is it to live...
What is it to live...
Is this called living?
Keep lying to oneself like this
and devouring time
that passes by in mediocrity?
Opps.
Look,
you can't always have it your way.
Everyone is just being moved
by something larger than onself.
One wants to believe that he or she is special,
but the time will come when one realizes
that is not the case in the end.
I know that,
but still there's this part of me that is awkward.
To die is to become nil?
But, what is this pounding of my heart?
Am I alive?
It is so strange.
I'm just even sure whether
it was my own will that I had jumped.
But I do want to live, as it is now.
Didn't realize,
the world is so vast.
As he steps forward to find out what happens,
deep black ocean awaits.
Releases his Heart that is still in captivity,
slowly falls toward what lies beyond infinity.
The End
An Eighth Night of Dreams:
Imagine
Directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita
That's huge!
What bait did you use?
Fish paste.
Just fish paste?
That's unbelievable.
What bait?
It's awesome! - It's huge.
He used fish paste. - Really?
You caught this with fish paste?
Just fish paste?
That's awesome!
What were you using?
He used fish paste.
It's very long.
He's lying.
No, he's not.
Mitsu never lies.
If he said he did, he did.
Ouch! It's sticky!
It's heavy. Let me help you.
Wow
Listen, Mitsu.
You'll soon tire of it.
What if it dies?
Where can we dump it?
I'll feed it. I'll get stuck looking after it.
Mom won't like it.
I will call health center.
Riki, no!
Hello, Grandpa.
Listen to me, Mitsu.
We'll talk to uncle in the hills.
Riki.
Will it change form?
I know it will!
That was delicious.
Soseki, forty one years old
The Eighth Night by Soseki
I've previously written of Unkei,
the sculptor.
This is his place.
But what if it's not?
He's still asleep.
He sleeps in the daytime.
Who'll do it?
You.
No, let's all do it.
You started it.
Alright. Say it together.
One, two!
Come on, say it.
Alright, I will.
One, two!
Master Ogai!
The End
Father went away,
One moonless night,
I have received my call to duty.
I shall perform my military duties.
As a son of Japan,
I have longed for this opportunity.
I am honored to serve.
I ask you to care for my beloved son,
and my helpless wife,
while I serve my country. In your stead,
I shall fight like a demon for our sacred land.
I shall pit my life against the enemy.
Thank you very much.
To the Japanese Empire,
Banzai!
Banzai!
Banzai!
Banzai! - Banzai...
A Ninth Night of Dreams:
Family Love
Pray for your Daddy's safe return.
Did you say a prayer?
You're a good boy.
Don't go!
Are all present?
On my order,
attack!
Go!
Can't you do something?
Like what?
Must you leave us
and to go off to war?
I didn't marry a soldier.
I did it because I wanted
to share my life with you.
So you would be by my side forever.
Daddy!
Heaven can be wherever you are
Here he comes, such a slacker is he
It's Onikichi, the so fast on his feet
Yes, here he comes, back for more...
Here I come, sweetheart.
Mommy!
You said you hated the military.
Not so loud. Walls have ears.
You told me you hated the army,
didn't you?
Let me explain.
I'll be very careful and
I promise I'll come back to you.
What does that mean?
What will I do without you?
Without you
my life meaningless.
Calm down,
dear
Not my draft card!
It's not our war.
Just leave it there.
I beg you!
Look what you've done.
I don't care.
My draft card...
The time has come, I tell you now
Take your time, no need for haste
We shall meet again,
some other time, in another place
Directed by Miwa Nishikawa
Isn't that Shotaro?
It is.
He went missing, didn't he?
Someone go tell Ken Someone go tell Ken
Better tell him.
He looks terrible.
Oh, he's dead.
A Tenth Night of Dreams:
Egoism
Directed by Yudai Yamaguchi
He's awake!
He's alive!
Are you alright?
Ken,
isn't that my panama hat?
Yes, you're right.
Sorry about that.
How on earth did you make it back
What happened? - I'd rather not say.
Hey...
On second thoughts,
I haven't much time.
I'd best tell the story.
Look
There's Shotaro again
with his panama hat and cane.
He only works afternoons.
What a loafer.
He's the best looking kid in town,
and he's got a good heart.
Women come from miles around
to see him.
But all he does all day
is stare out at the street.
What's he's thinking?
Look, here's another one
I bet she comes just to look at him, too.
His business does well.
The luck of the handsome.
No matter who it is,
he keeps his cool.
That's what you get for being upright.
The ugly have no right to live!
Go to hell, you ugly pig!
Excuse me.
Excuse me?
When the mysterious Yoshino appeared,
Shotaro left town as if bewitched.
He had no idea that this would bring him
a living hell,
worse than he could ever imagine.
Pig bowl (Large)
Pig?
I hope you like it.
Does its lusciousness delight even you?
Go ahead, eat. No need to hesitate.
Delicious!
Oh, I'm so full.
I've never expected pig
to taste so good.
Very good!
In that case,
I'll show you how we make it.
Ouch!
Are you ready?
Faster, faster. Go, go!
Why are they so ugly?
As you can see,
all our ingredients are fresh and pure.
Naturally,
we use no artificial additives.
All of our processes use the
most hygienic materials.
Next, it is heated to 80 degrees
in a large pot.
And special, succulent slices
are added for flavor.
It is then simmered to perfection.
Next, is our most secret ingredient.
Special, selected spices
make for a perfect finish.
What a waste.
That was made especially for you.
You can't be serious!
That's not pig,
it's human!
Culinary Armageddon!
A filthy, self-absorbed killer, like you,
deserves nothing less than that!
Who the hell are you?
At that moment,
he recalled the words of his friend,
Gennai Hiraga,
(The nameless inventor.)
If you're ever in the clutches of
maddened monsters,
just push this button.
No need. It's highly unlikely to happen.
Now!
Thank you, Gennai.
Fart attack!
Ouch!
Shall I show you my true self?
Oh
What?
Smells like shit.
It hurts
Forgive me.
I'll never kill anyone again.
I am so sorry.
I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.
I beg you. Please.
I'm really very sorry.
Is that right?
How did you get hurt?
You never mentioned that.
This, you mean?
As I was on my way back...
to happen
That's all. - Really?
I'd better get some sleep.
It's time to die.
But Shotaro did not die.
He lived on until his 138th year.
And he became the world's first astronaut.
No way!
That'll never happen to me.
It happened!
Thank you, Gennai.
The End
A hundred years...
Is it here already?
Ten Nights of Dreams
Or will it take another hundred years?