Visitors (2009) - full transcript

Part of the Jeonju Digital Project, Visitors consists of three films from three different directors. "Lost in the Mountains," by Hong Sang Soo. "Koma" by Naomi Kawase, and "Butterflies have no Memories" by Lav Diaz.

My grandfather's dead.

Hasedera.
We will soon arrive in Hasedera.

- Here.
- Thanks.

Are you hungry?

I am.

Thank you.

Do you have children?

Yes. In Korea.

Ben!

Ben!

Welcome.



- Here.
- Thank you.

Have some.

My grandfather... had a dying wish.

He asked me to return
this hanging scroll.

I see.

And?

Um...

That's all he told me.

I don't know
why he wanted me to return it.

He didn't tell me anything.

He just wanted this returned.

I have something
to give to you as well.

Wait a moment.
I'll go and get it.

What?



OK...

Shall we go for a walk?

What?

The sunset...

I don't mind, but your father...

We'll come right back.

What's your name?

Why?

Why? What do you mean ''Why?''

What's your name?

Hatsuko.

Yours?

Junil.

What?

Kang Junil.

That low mountain in the distance
is Mount Miwa.

- Miwa?
- Yes.

Never heard of it?

Miwa. Miwa. Miwa.

It's the mountain of
a divine spirit.

There's a scary spirit there.

A divine spirit.

Ever hear the story of the woman
who married the spirit?

No, how could she marry a spirit...

they don't exist.

Never heard it?

No, never heard it.

There was a couple,

but the husband only appeared at night.

The wife was sad

and wanted to know
where he went.

So she attached a threaded needle
to his clothes.

She found the needle,
stuck in a branch of one tree.

And the two never saw
each other again.

You think it's funny?

Well, what can I say...

It's cold.

It's gotten cold.

Let's go.

When I was a baby,

I spiked a fever once.

Your grandfather carried me
to the doctor in the night.

My father told me.

In thanks, my grandfather
gave him a scroll,

the one you've returned
to me.

Ah, That's something.

My father said the scroll depicts
an ancient Korean king.

Your grandfather gave
this fan in return.

Have you heard
any stories about this fan?

- No.
- From your grandfather...

No, not at all.

It might be a fan from home...

from Korea.

But I don't know.

You must be hungry after Hatsuko
dragged you all around.

- Eat up.
- Thank you.

Eat a lot.

She's always like that.

No, it's OK. I didn't mind going.

- Really?
- Sure.

Dad, do you really trust me?

Of course.

How can you answer so easily?

I'm sorry,

but can I say something?

Sure, go ahead.

My parents and my grandfather
never trusted me at all.

But they...

covered for me.

I don't really like the word ''trust.''

Sorry, I know it's not my place.

No, it's fine.

That's not what I'm saying.

Why didn't you hit me, get mad at me?

There was no point in hitting you.

Don't cry.

Why cry over that?

Anyway, I'll be going.

Thanks for dinner.

I'll be going.

You're going?

Stay the night here.

Sleep here. It's late.

Breakfast isn't breakfast, without pickled vegetables.

You have to have pickles
with every meal.

You like them so much.

They're really good.
Try some.

Don't they make a great sound?

That cruch... indescribable.

Your grandfather must have eaten
hese pickles too.

I bet he did.

They're delicious.

Hatsuko's not eating?

- Hatsuko?
- Yes.

I'll eat.

This is really steep.

Where are we going?

Vegetables?

This is my mother's garden.

She makes pickles from these?

Awesome.

Leeks.

- Leeks?
- The smallest ones are leeks.

Green onions, cabbage...

radish, turnip leaves, potatoes.

What else?

Spinach, shirona and crown daisies.

Give me your hand.

- What?
- Your hand.

Why?

I'll give you a gift.

It's okay...

There you go.

This is my first gift.

What?

Thanks.

A frog.

My father and mother are nice,
aren't they?

Were you surprised yesterday?

I'd guess you were.

They're not my real parents.

So they're kind.

They never get mad,

they let me do as I will.

- The first prince...
- ...prince's spirit.

Written like your name?

Yeah.

My father made it.

Don't.

- What?
- No, don't.

If you break the branches here,
you'll be cursed, they say.

Don't.

Cursed, huh?

It's an expedition.
This is fun.

That scroll came from here,

my father told me.

OK, I'll do it.

OK, I'll be serious, too.

You really want to see it?

With my shoes off.

Really?

Yeah, like on a stage.

The thread stretched on and on.

Winding it endlessly,

Like a spider spinning its web,

I made my way through the woods,

To a shrine
at the foot of the mountain.

The thread stopped
at the branch of a cedar.

What chagrin filled my heart!

This was the one
had vowed my love.

Three turns of the spindle of thread
remained.

I'd better go.

Good-bye.

You know, I treasure Hatsuko.

What a day!

Now I know why I came running here.

You hugged me like this,

but I couldn't hug you back.

Then I remembered.

I have been hugged
like this before.

Really tight.

You've been hugged
like this too.

When you have been,
you can do it too.

The sky's so blue.

I want to see your face.
Can I?

The Line 1 train
will arrive shortly.

Stand behind the white line
for your safety.

Screenplayand Director
KAWASE NAOMI

I got up
and on an impulse decided

to visit Jinyoung in Jeonju.

I spent too much energy
convincing mother

I'd be OK driving.

I'm already exhausted.

I'm nervous driving so far.

Jung Yumi / Moon Sungkeun

Lee Sunkyun / Kim Jinkyoung

It's not big deal.

LOSTIN THE MOUNTAINS

It's not big deal.

Feel better on the highway.

I'm not scared.

Why didn't you call
before you left?

I did call you.

You called
right before you got here.

Should I not have come?

I'm arguing with my mother.

You can't come in now.

You should've let me know.

Why are you arguing?

I spent some of her savings

and she found out.

She hit the roof.

Do you have a cigarette?

You know I don't smoke!

Oh, that's right.

What am I going to do with you?

I can't go in, can I?

Don't be silly.
You came all this way.

Can you wait somewhere?

Don't worry about it.

What are you talking about?

I drove here, you know.

I know.

- You drove all this way
- Yes.

Wasn't it scary?

- It was fun.
- Really?

Did your brother-in-law
give you this?

Yeah. Want a ride?

It's an old banger
but it really goes.

Roomy inside too.

- Oh yeah?
- Get in.

Oh, I don't know.

I called Mr. Jeon.

It's because she made me wait around
that I called.

I stopped myself many times
but ended up calling.

It's totally hopeless

but I miss him
and want drink with him.

Hello.

Hello, professor.
It's Misook.

How have you been?

Well. And you?

You know how it is, the usual.

How's your health?
Do you still drink a lot?

I did,

but I have dental problems.
I had to get some teeth taken out.

I'm not drinking so much now.

Is it serious?

Not too bad.

I feel better now
that I'm not drinking so much.

I guess I'm getting old.

And you?

Oh, you know me.

I'm in Jeonju.

You are?

I'm visiting Jinyoung.

You know her, right?

Of course.

It's been a long time.

Yeah, it has.

It's good to hear your voice.

Are you working?

Yeah.

This is such a bad habit.

Want to meet?

Do you still write?

I'm grateful
you care enough to ask.

Stop talking like a snob.

I don't write any more.

You've written everything
I want to say.

What?

To be frank,
I really envy you, I do.

What's there to envy?

I told you,

You're a good writer,
everyone likes you.

Don't pretend you don't know.

Me? Pretend?

Got everything going for you.

Do you still see Myungwoo?

He's a bastard.

Yeah, he's a bastard.

You went out with him, though.

That was after I broke up with you.

Stop it.

I've never met
such a bastard as him.

You know he copies me,
don't you?

I know all about it.

He copies everything you do.

That little shit.

That's why he went for you.
He knew I was into you.

He doesn't know we went out.

Remember what you did to me?

I was with him
because I didn't want to be alone.

I used him.

It was better than being alone.

That's what I'm like.

What can I say?

Come on in.

He kept wanting to do weird stuff.

I couldn't take it any more.

Misook.

Yes?

What are you going to write about?

Well,

I want to write something short.

Tell me.

Nothing to tell.

Go on. I'm interested.

I went to Cambodia a while back.

Had an idea there.

It might be good for a short story.

Really?

- It's not that interesting.
- Tell me.

He paid for
a substitute driver service.

Jinyoung's parents
are really nice people.

Jinyoung is immature

so she doesn't realize
how lucky she is.

Do you have a nail clipper?

On the desk by the pencils.

I found Mr. Jeon's watch.

A rice wine factory owner
gave it to him.

- What's the deal with this watch?
- What?

What's with the watch?

Nothing.
Didn't know it was there.

Whose is it? Your dad's?

No. I got it from somewhere.

I see.Finish up.
We'll talk then.

I asked her all morning
about her and Mr. Jeon

and got all the gory details.

So what are you going to do?

Don't know.

We're so into each other now.

We'll have some fun.

You don't mind
seeing a married guy?

It did bother me at first.

The first few months,
I wanted him to myself.

I don't want to force him
to get divorced.

I'm not like that.

You're doing what you feel like.

I've always been like that.

Why not?

You're stronger than I thought.

It'd be OK for three to four years.

I wouldn't mind at all.
It feels good as it is.

Right.

I hid my feelings
and talked to her about it so long.

I feel sick now.

How can you do that to me?

You're evil.

Watch your mouth, you shit.

You're an evil bastard.

How could you do this to me?

With her of all people?

She's my best friend.
How could you?

Stop screaming!

How dare you?

Who the hell do you think you are?

How can you be so evil?

Don't be so over-the-top!

You're blowing this out of proportion!

Did she call that a relationship?
She's living in a fantasy world.

You're all talk!

How could you!

I have no one to talk to now!

I have no one!

You're an evil bastard.

Don't be so over-the-top!

So evil!

How you feel isn't important.
Facts are important here, facts.

What's wrong with you!

I called Mr. Jeon.

He said he met her for work
and ended up sleeping with her.

He doesn't want a relationship
but she keeps calling.

How can you not even say sorry?

He said he could never be in love
with someone like her.

How can he not say sorry?

Since no one loves me,

I have to rethink my goal.

I've always liked her work
more than his.

I'm going to
take look at her house

and sit by the gate.

- Hi
- Hello.

I was passing by and I remembered
you lived nearby.

How did you know where I live?

From writers' addresses
in a quarterly.

They do that sometimes.

This is my parents' house.
I live in Seoul.

Are you a writer?

I'm still learning to be one.

I see. You're pretty.

No, you are.

Thank you.

You're the most important writer to me.

Really? Thank you.

What's your name?

Misook Jeong.

Nice to meet you, Misook.

I'm sure I saw you yesterday.

I don't think so.

You were with Mr. Jeon downtown.

Don't worry about it.

I have to go in.
My mother's waiting.

I'm sorry.

We had an argument.
I have to go in.

OK.

Hope things go well
with your writing.

From now, I'm just going to
focus on writing. I really am.

I'm sure you'll do well.

- Thank you.
- Bye.

I told Myungwoo to come
no matter what.

I called him on an impulse.

I'm so angry at myself.

I cried like a fool on the phone.

Have you been waiting long?

Congratulations for the award.

- What?
- You got an award, right?

Oh, that was a while back.

Was it?

You okay?

I like what you're wearing.
Get in.

Men are all the same,

but I could talk earnestly
with Myungwoo

about things that matter.

It's all over for me.

Didn't do anything wrong
but it's all over.

I've tried not to think about it
but I can't help it.

Who's going to respect someone
who went to motels with her teacher?

What's the point of writing?

No one knows my work
but I'm infamous.

Why are you drinking so much?

Do I have to have a reason?

Were you born for a reason?

Do you have sex for a reason?

You do it
and find a reason afterwards.

Dirty little shits.

Look who's so clever tonight?

Go on and tease me!

No one's teasing you.
We're on your side.

Arrogant bastard.

You've let success get to you.
You're nothing yet!

Okay.

I can't see you guys any more.

Can't see you any more.

We're all here.

It'd be great if you could come.

Is Misook drunk?

She is but she's OK.

Why do you all drink so much?

You got an award, right?
Congratulations.

It's nothing.
We'll sober up before you get here.

We're dying to see you.

They said that?

Of course.

I'm in the middle of something

but I'll call you.

Please come.

I really want to see you.

OK, I'll call you.

OK.

What? You want to kiss me?

Go on then.

Really?

Have you had lots of sex
now that you're famous?

I've never picked anyone up.

I'm a good boy, really.

Really?

No sex?

Well, I have.
Only a couple of times.

I hate lying bastards.

If I call you later
can you come?

What time?

I don't know.

Why? Is that a problem?

You sound really drunk.

It's all over for me
thanks to you.

I have no hope.

Why can't I get drunk?

Careful now!

You aIways get stupid
when you're drunk.

Be carefuI my ass!

Get off the phone!

I'm sleeping with all the men
in the world before I die.

It feels good
to hang up on him for once.

I was crazy.
I'm not sleeping with him again.

Sorry.

I want to stay with him. Sorry.

Will you be OK alone?

Yeah. You driving?

We're not going far.

Don't worry. Get in.

I'll drive.

OK.

Bye.

Hi.

They've gone.

What are they doing?

They're going to sleep together.

They were together before.

My God! Crazy fuckers.

Do you want to come here?
It'd be good to see you.

Have they really gone?

They drove off together.

OK.

I'll go to Motel District.

Shall we meet at The Athens?

I'll be there in ten minutes.

It'll take me longer.

I'll go get a room then.

I'll be there soon.

OK.

Want to get something to eat?

You hungry?

Want to go tehre?

Ok.

We left the motel at twelve.

He didn't say
he wants to start over

but the sex was so good.

We went to eat something
before heading back to Seoul.

Let's sit there.

OK.

What's he doing with her?

That's so wrong.

I hate the two of them.

Is he that desperate?
She was his student!

I've finished. Let's go.

You can't eat
with that going on, huh?

We can'tjust go
without saying hi.

If we just leave,
he'll say we got it all wrong.

Got what wrong?

He'll say we misread the situation.

He's upset now,

hoping we'd come and say hi.

I don't care. It's up to you.

I feel sorry for her.
Stupid girl.

They're leaving, the shits.

Let's go.
I've done nothing to be ashamed of.

This feels awkward.

It does, right?

I've done nothing wrong.

She knows about us.

He keeps ignoring me,
the bastard.

You know how petty he can get.

How dare he not greet me?
The bastard.

Look, he's even getting coffee.

Shall we wait for them?

I'm going.

Wait for me.

You bastards!
Come here, you two!

Who? Us?

Come here,
you fuckers!

Hello, Sir?

You don't greet your teacher?

Think I'm some shitty nobody?

I was going to

but she was too embarrassed.

So you ignore me?

You arrogant little shit.

Please don't get angry.
She was so embarrassed.

What stopped you?

Sorry, Sir.

I didn't want to
make you feel uneasy.

Uneasy?
Why should I feel uneasy?

You slept together
as men and women do.

But we just drank
and had a rest.

That's it.

I heard you left her alone.

She called, we had drinks.

I knew you'd misread this.

I understand her embarrassment,
caught like this by me.

Don't be angry. Calm down.

How could you leave her alone?

She wanted to drink some more.

Did you feel very bad?

No, I just drank with the professor.

What a stupid mess!

Sorry for shouting.

I was so angry
when you ignored us.

That's not how it should be.

We've always got along well.

Such a good relationship.

This is such a minor thing.

That's enough.

What?

You should be ashamed of yourself!

I'm off.

Don't come with me.

Oh, how rude!

Misook - Jung Yumi
Mr. Jeon - Moon Sungkeun

Myungwoo - Lee Sunkyun
Jinyoung - Kim Jinkyoung

Novelist- Eun Heekyung

Camera - Kim Kwangho
Recording - Song yeajin

Editing - Hahm Sungwon
Music - Jeong Yongjin

Mixing - Kim Mir

Producer- Kim Kyounghee

Translated by Nemo Kim

Written and Directed by
Hong Sangsoo

produced by JEONWONSA Film Co.

You know, Tonio...

I wish the mine would return

I want it to return

Chief, if you would ask me...

I don't want it anymore

Why?

Look at it this way, Chief...

I kept saying...

everytime I go around this town...

the soil here is good

but the people
never bothered to plant

Because they just
depended on the mines

Look what happened
when the mine suddenly closed

They should return

They've started it
So they should return

But Chief, it'll end again
and we'll be back where we started

They'll open... and there will
come a time that they'll close again

It's because of
the Church and the activists

Look at what happened to us

Look at me

I've lost my money
I've lost my properties...

even my family has left me

Chief, just think about
its effects on us

They dumped toxic waste

Before, the beaches
here are all white sand...

but now, the white sand
seems grey

It's dirty

And there are so many ways that
the government can creatjobs, Chief

But still
we got better salaries before

Remember those times?
We got tons of money

Yes, Chief, those were the good times,
but then, as I've said...

it's better
if we prepare for the long run

Think about your children, Chief

I don't have any children

They're still your kids

There will come
a day that they will look for you

When?

How are you?

I'm married
I have three children

How about you?

I'm happy Still single

I'm really happy
I'm really glad to see you

Until when will you be here?

One week? Two?

Maybe a month...
I'm not really sure

Have you visited the site?

Will you come with me?
Let's go together

I can't leave the kids You

just go with Willy

I'm sorry I can't entertain you

Is there anything that
I can help you with?

She's cute

- What's her name?
- Theresa

That's pretty
She's your youngest?

- Yes
- Hello

Wilma, two brandies and cigarettes

Put it on my list The money
from Francis hasn't arrived yet

You have such a good son

That's my son

- Where's Martha?
- At the lodging house

Aren't you going to visit her?

Why should I? Let her visit

- She's so tall
- You saw her?

People in the market
were excited to see her

She was only seven
when they left

When the mines closed?

How are your hands?

It's beginning to callouse, Sir

Good It's been months already

Can I see it?

You always have yourself
crucified every Holy Week...

Is there a miracle already?

Is there a miracle?

Stop it already
Your wife's not coming back

She's not coming back

I'm sorry
I'm just a frank person

She's not coming back

That's what people here are good at
Cockfight. Fuck!

Drink up

Food

This is Mang Ferding's favorite

- Sardines
- Yes

Keep that, Mang Ferding

Guns aren't to be played
when you're drunk

Let's drink
Hold this instead

Let's toast

Drunk?

Have you seen Martha?

I can't see Martha
I'm ashamed

Why should you be ashamed?

You were childhood friends

I'm really ashamed

Why don't you supply
her with salt bread?

Supply her salt bread!

Fucking loser!

Or lease, court Martha

so you'd be a Canadian citizen

And then, you can
give dollars to Mang Ferding!

No, I can't
She's like my sister already

What do you mean?

We're talking dollars here!
Everybody's fair game!

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

- Willy! How are you?
- I'm Ok

Hug. How are your family?
I saw Carol yesterday

Father's dead
Mother's in Manila, with Kuya Nonoy

It's good to see you!

When are the three of us
going to get together?

Talk to Carol

Let's go to our favorite places

Wait! Let's take a picture
for mom

She'll be so happy!

Alright Just tell Carol

Alright Talk to Carol
I should be off I'm still working

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

Salt bread!

Good Morning,
Aling Bebang Here's your salt bread

Thank you!

Do you use it a lot?

No, I just clean it once in a while

That's good
Do you still shoot?

Sometimes

Hey, I thought
you've forgotten about us

I love this place

I grew up here
I was born here

You are my folks

- You want food? Coffee?
- No, thank you

This is fine
I had lunch earlier

- Are you sure?
- I'm fine

- Don't touch that
- Ok

- Hey, Martha, look
- Ah, that...

- Photos
- Oh well...

Photos Your mom and dad

Photo of their wedding

Wow My mom's so pretty And young

- Those were the days
- Yeah

Look here

Me and your dad
At the main gate's guardhouse

You look good in uniform
You were much slimmer back then

The CEO Mr Bedwell and

the Chief Security Officer
Mr Ferdinand Belleza

You must be so proud of
your position then You miss it

Of course, I still do

Oh, what's this?

- You have photos of me!
- This is you You were only seven

No, I was nine
This was when I left the Philippines

I thought you were only seven
when you left

No, I was nine

With Carol And Willy
We went fishing that day

- Naughty children, ha
- Yeah

- Especially Willy
- Chasing the chickens

These are so old, wow

I can't believe you have these

- My mom doesn't even have copies
- Of course Memories, right?

Those were the days
Happy days

Some of them

And these are pictures of the mine

Do you think the mines
will open again?

I don't know

I talked to some people

Some of them want it back
Others don't want it back

I personally don't want it back

I love this place
This is my home

Things were not always
that good Not for everybody

I still want it back
I want everything back

Smile Tatay Ferding!

Ok Put the hat on!

Alright Smile!

That's good

Okay

Let's take one with both of us

Yeah, I've been trying to call

Yeah

How's everything?

Yes Yes Fine

I'm alone

The house?

Yeah I couldn't
get in It was locked

There's still trees

The garden's covered
with grass and all sorts of growth

Really deteriorated
Did you get my email?

Remember Carol?
She has three kids now

She's Ok

Doing her best, I guess

I visited Tatay Ferding
He asked about dad

I told him he passed away

What? Ah It's snowing, yeah

How is it? Are you alright?

Mom? Hello?

Mom? Hello?

I'll call you later tonight
Can you hear me?

The signal's really bad here
I don't know

Hello

Ok, I'm glad you're fine, alright?

I'll be coming home soon

- What did Willy say?
- He said to talk to you

Martha
I just don't have time

I still have a lot of laundry Plus

there's still the kids...

Just go with Willy

I brought fruits for the children

I'll come and see you
before I leave, Ok?

Martha came by earlier
She took a lot of photos

She took a lot of photos of me
earlier as well I felt so ashamed

I have something to tell

But you have to promise
to keep this between us

What's that?

This is important

Listen up

What is it?

Martha...

Let's get her

What?

Let's kidnap her

- What?
- You heard what I said

No She's my childhood friend
I cannot do it

Fuck!

Take it easy
Willy, Willy...

- Are you disobeying me?
- I just can't do it

What do you mean you can't do it?

Put that away

Your father died
because of that mine

Because of that fucking mine!

This place has become a ghost town
because of that mine!

The river was destroyed
because of that fucking mine!

Those fuckers got
all the gold and left toxins!

Think!

After our task...

forget about everything

Every memory

Forget everything
and go on with your lives

Follow her at the mining site...

Where she always hang out
That's where we'll get her

Let's wear our Moriones masks
Then, let's bring her to the cave

The farthest cave
Where there's no people

You shall be on guard there

While I'll take care of the
negotiations in Manila

Ok?

Willy

- Willy
- Can we talk for a while?

Is there a problem?

Is there a problem?

Mang Ferding's plan...

I can'tjoin you

What do you mean?

I can't do it
I can'tjoin you

Martha and I grew up together

Willy, Listen

If you won'tjoin us...

it will be better
if we don't see you anymore leave

You know how Mang Ferding is

Choose your gun

This is yours

This is the magazine

Do you know how to use this?

Willy, Willy

You get up!

Get up!

You get up!

You're a fool!

I told you to stand up!