Water Flower (2005) - full transcript
A portrait of the relationship between Minako, a girl in junior high deserted by her mother when she was young, and Yu, Minako's younger half-sister who loves to ballet dance. On a whim, Minako takes Yu to the house of their late grandparents near the sea. As she spends time taking care and playing with her little sister, Minako takes on the role of a mother. She reminisces on her own happy childhood. Minako has reached the age when she feels more and more distant from her father, but holds a deeper resentment for her mother who eloped with another man, deserting Minako and her father. Making use of fixed long-shots and panning camera movements, director KINOSHITA Yusuke, effectively represents the changes within a young girl's mentality without depending solely on words. Though the late TERASHIMA Shuji had always been playing "mama's boys" in dramas, this film exceeds his previous works with the strongest point being his fully refined expressiveness. Working with veteran actors and staff, KINOSHITA created an impact unlike other new directors, conveying an uncommon ability in his purposeful direction. The sure-handed camera work poetically tracks the subtle changes in Minako's appearance without falling into sentimentality demonstrating a meticulous care for the material. The film will pull at the audience's heartstrings and leave an impression that a great, new talent has been encountered.
Produced by PFF Partners:
PIA, TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM
A PIA FILM FESTIVAL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND FILM
Water Flower
Here's your lunch
1 told you not to bother
1 overslept, sorry
I didn't have much time
Next stop is the
Seiryo Junior High school
Please push the button
if you wish to disembark
The bus is about to stop
Stars shining in the night sky
lead amazingly long lives
Even short lived stars live for
10 billion years
Stars the size of our sun
live 10 billion years
Then, how do stars
come to be born?
Gas and dust gather in space
to become the building blocks
Dense concentrations attract
ever more gas and dust
to form solar disks
Energy is generated at the core
and a star is born
Sorry
Sorry, Minako
It's okay
Give it back, Sasaki
You jerk
Idiot
What's up?
Tell me
I saw her on my way
home yesterday
In the housing complex
I saw your mother
Did you know she's back?
She's not my mother
anymore
Still awake?
Has she come back?
Who told you?
That doesn't matter
She got a divorce, got an
apartment and found herself a job
She even didn't know
her parents had died
Don't worry.
Just go on as usual
Nothing has changed
Can you forgive her?
You and I were...
...abandoned by her
Excuse us
No one's here
Tomoko is selfish.
She didn't join us
Hey, Minako
We've come to visit you
She's asleep
She'd never skip class
Shall we go to class?
We said we're sick
Let's go to the roof
My favorite program has started
Mom, hurry up
Yu, your umbrella
You'll get water everywhere
Ryota
Dinner's ready
T'll eat later
Really?
You're going out?
It's late
Just around the corner
T'll leave your dinner
Take care
Won't you go home?
I'd finally forgotten her
Hello, dear
Going to work?
Soon as I finish
Don't look so sad
Now there's just the two of us,
T have to make a living
Take it.
It's my old one
Move your lips
You shouldn't drink
Father
It's me, Minako
Stop it
Get a life!
You promised
I could continue ballet lessons
Yu...
...be a good girl
Be patient until we can afford better
I have to leave
Tam being patient!
I'm always alone!
T lost my daddy and my friends!
I'm trying to be strong
"Scorpio... You'll be in a strange
mood as the week begins.”
But I'm not
"You tend to be emotional
and hurt your friends.”
- You're nasty recently
- No way
"Aquarius... You'll be very
popular with friends..."
"...and take the leadership in your group.”
That's right
My star sign has the most
unlucky forecast
Read it
Sorry, but IT have to go now
So soon?
We've just got here
Have some cakes
They're all discounted
Why?
T've got to run an errand
for my dad
Okay, then.
IT guess it can't be helped
Sorry
Bye Bye
See you tomorrow.
Take care
I like Minako
You want to play?
Shouldn't you go home?
I don't want to go home
I'm Yu.
What's your name?
Minako
Can I call you Mina-chan?
Sure
I'm hungry
Thank you
You like the ocean?
I've never seen it
Would you like to go?
I know a place near the sea
Full of dolls and toys, too
Will you take me there?
Attention please
The shop will be closing
at 9:00pm
We sincerely hope
you will visit us again
Thank you for shopping
here today
Excuse me
Which bus do I take for Mito?
Mito, you say...
Yes, that's the No. 6 bus
It's over there, on the left
Good.
Thank you
Minako?
Minako?
I'm coming in
Hello?
Hello?
Yu?
Is that you?
Where are you?
Come home immediately
Hello?
Yu?
Yu?
Hello?
Who is this?
Hello?
What time did she leave home?
1 got back about 10
Did she come,
then leave?
No, she didn't
Can you think of anywhere
she might go?
No idea
Her friends don't know, either
I see.
Please fill out this form
May I help you?
My daughter hasn't
come home
And T got a weird telephone call
One adult and one child
to Aihama, please
That's 1800 yen
Mina-chan, are you an adult?
200 yen change
Are you an adult?
When I buy a ticket,
yes
Tt smells great
Are there any fish here?
Let's go
Minako withdrew money
and took Yu with her
A security
camera recorded them
But since then,
no sign
They said to wait at home
It's my fault.
Yu went with her because of me
Minako hates me, doesn't she?
Recently, we've just begun
to get along well
Whose house is it?
My grandparents
They don't live here?
Not since Grandpa died
Shall T drive you home?
My car's here
I'm okay. I'll go by the bar
and ask for some time off
I see
It's not me, is it?
I'm still not used to it
I'd better go
Did you play with them?
Yes, when I was small
When you were as old as me?
Yes
Let's play together
Here
Please come in
Thank you for coming.
Sit down please
What do you want to eat?
You like curry and rice?
Sure
Here you are
Thanks
Is it good?
- Yes
- Good
Were you home alone today?
Where was your mother?
She went to work
What's your mother like?
My mom?
She's kind
But sometimes she
can be nasty
So I make her worry
What about your mother?
She got pregnant when
I was seven
and left us for another man
Do you hate her?
I know.
T'll make some cookies for you
- Here you are
- Thanks
Do you like them?
Delicious
I made plenty,
so have as many as you like
Thanks
Put it on me
Move your lips
Do it again
Let's light them tonight
1 got lipstick on the glass
Do you know why Minako
is absent?
You're her pal,
aren't you?
No idea
Really?
She didn't go home
She's been down lately
She doesn't say much
I wonder where she is
91,92, 93, 94...
...100
I found you
It's your turn
Still want to play?
Hurry up
Now count to 100
1,2,3,4..
...97,98, 99, 100
That's my Mom
How come?
Why was she with you?
Before you were born...
...she was my mother
Do you hate me?
Even if you do,
T won't go home
Let's go
Any calls since then?
Nothing
I see
Come on in
It's bigger than I expected
TI got it cheap
through a friend
Sit down.
T'll make tea
Listen, Shiori
When Yu comes back,
T'll take her
My parents can help me
look after her
I'm in better financial
condition
Besides, living with you isn't
good for Yu, either
You can still come see her
T've had enough regrets
Mina-chan?
Were you asleep?
No
You can't sleep?
I wonder if Mom
is worried about me
Can you play the piano?
I learned when I was small
Play that song again
Why are you crying?
I don't know
Hello?
Is that you, Minako?
How have you been?
Good
Your father is very worried
Is Yu with you?
Yes, she is
Is she very angry with me?
No, she isn't
Listen, Minako
I'm so sorry
I can't be a mother,
after all
Yu will never be happy with me
She's better off
with her father
Selfish.
It's not your decision
But I've decided
Come back home now
Where are you now?
Where were you?
We're leaving.
Get ready
Where will we go?
I haven't decided
You want to go home?
Will we never go back?
I called Mother earlier
You'll live with your
father when you get back
So forget about Mother
Let's go somewhere
far away together
You're lying
That's a lie, isn't it?
You hate me,
that's why you're being nasty
I'm different to you
Takatsuki speaking
Hirotani Police station here
Yes?
Your daughter, Minako
called Shiori Nagahara earlier
She said that Yu is with her
I see
We've confirmed they took
a bus for Sendai two days ago
Any idea where they'd go?
Shiori's parents lived
in Aihama, near Sendai
Good.
T'll contact Aihama right away
This is Aihama Station
We found a girl at the station
Yes, she's about seven years old
She's wearing a yellow coat
Saki Terashima
Himawari Ono
PIA, TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM
A PIA FILM FESTIVAL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND FILM
Water Flower
Here's your lunch
1 told you not to bother
1 overslept, sorry
I didn't have much time
Next stop is the
Seiryo Junior High school
Please push the button
if you wish to disembark
The bus is about to stop
Stars shining in the night sky
lead amazingly long lives
Even short lived stars live for
10 billion years
Stars the size of our sun
live 10 billion years
Then, how do stars
come to be born?
Gas and dust gather in space
to become the building blocks
Dense concentrations attract
ever more gas and dust
to form solar disks
Energy is generated at the core
and a star is born
Sorry
Sorry, Minako
It's okay
Give it back, Sasaki
You jerk
Idiot
What's up?
Tell me
I saw her on my way
home yesterday
In the housing complex
I saw your mother
Did you know she's back?
She's not my mother
anymore
Still awake?
Has she come back?
Who told you?
That doesn't matter
She got a divorce, got an
apartment and found herself a job
She even didn't know
her parents had died
Don't worry.
Just go on as usual
Nothing has changed
Can you forgive her?
You and I were...
...abandoned by her
Excuse us
No one's here
Tomoko is selfish.
She didn't join us
Hey, Minako
We've come to visit you
She's asleep
She'd never skip class
Shall we go to class?
We said we're sick
Let's go to the roof
My favorite program has started
Mom, hurry up
Yu, your umbrella
You'll get water everywhere
Ryota
Dinner's ready
T'll eat later
Really?
You're going out?
It's late
Just around the corner
T'll leave your dinner
Take care
Won't you go home?
I'd finally forgotten her
Hello, dear
Going to work?
Soon as I finish
Don't look so sad
Now there's just the two of us,
T have to make a living
Take it.
It's my old one
Move your lips
You shouldn't drink
Father
It's me, Minako
Stop it
Get a life!
You promised
I could continue ballet lessons
Yu...
...be a good girl
Be patient until we can afford better
I have to leave
Tam being patient!
I'm always alone!
T lost my daddy and my friends!
I'm trying to be strong
"Scorpio... You'll be in a strange
mood as the week begins.”
But I'm not
"You tend to be emotional
and hurt your friends.”
- You're nasty recently
- No way
"Aquarius... You'll be very
popular with friends..."
"...and take the leadership in your group.”
That's right
My star sign has the most
unlucky forecast
Read it
Sorry, but IT have to go now
So soon?
We've just got here
Have some cakes
They're all discounted
Why?
T've got to run an errand
for my dad
Okay, then.
IT guess it can't be helped
Sorry
Bye Bye
See you tomorrow.
Take care
I like Minako
You want to play?
Shouldn't you go home?
I don't want to go home
I'm Yu.
What's your name?
Minako
Can I call you Mina-chan?
Sure
I'm hungry
Thank you
You like the ocean?
I've never seen it
Would you like to go?
I know a place near the sea
Full of dolls and toys, too
Will you take me there?
Attention please
The shop will be closing
at 9:00pm
We sincerely hope
you will visit us again
Thank you for shopping
here today
Excuse me
Which bus do I take for Mito?
Mito, you say...
Yes, that's the No. 6 bus
It's over there, on the left
Good.
Thank you
Minako?
Minako?
I'm coming in
Hello?
Hello?
Yu?
Is that you?
Where are you?
Come home immediately
Hello?
Yu?
Yu?
Hello?
Who is this?
Hello?
What time did she leave home?
1 got back about 10
Did she come,
then leave?
No, she didn't
Can you think of anywhere
she might go?
No idea
Her friends don't know, either
I see.
Please fill out this form
May I help you?
My daughter hasn't
come home
And T got a weird telephone call
One adult and one child
to Aihama, please
That's 1800 yen
Mina-chan, are you an adult?
200 yen change
Are you an adult?
When I buy a ticket,
yes
Tt smells great
Are there any fish here?
Let's go
Minako withdrew money
and took Yu with her
A security
camera recorded them
But since then,
no sign
They said to wait at home
It's my fault.
Yu went with her because of me
Minako hates me, doesn't she?
Recently, we've just begun
to get along well
Whose house is it?
My grandparents
They don't live here?
Not since Grandpa died
Shall T drive you home?
My car's here
I'm okay. I'll go by the bar
and ask for some time off
I see
It's not me, is it?
I'm still not used to it
I'd better go
Did you play with them?
Yes, when I was small
When you were as old as me?
Yes
Let's play together
Here
Please come in
Thank you for coming.
Sit down please
What do you want to eat?
You like curry and rice?
Sure
Here you are
Thanks
Is it good?
- Yes
- Good
Were you home alone today?
Where was your mother?
She went to work
What's your mother like?
My mom?
She's kind
But sometimes she
can be nasty
So I make her worry
What about your mother?
She got pregnant when
I was seven
and left us for another man
Do you hate her?
I know.
T'll make some cookies for you
- Here you are
- Thanks
Do you like them?
Delicious
I made plenty,
so have as many as you like
Thanks
Put it on me
Move your lips
Do it again
Let's light them tonight
1 got lipstick on the glass
Do you know why Minako
is absent?
You're her pal,
aren't you?
No idea
Really?
She didn't go home
She's been down lately
She doesn't say much
I wonder where she is
91,92, 93, 94...
...100
I found you
It's your turn
Still want to play?
Hurry up
Now count to 100
1,2,3,4..
...97,98, 99, 100
That's my Mom
How come?
Why was she with you?
Before you were born...
...she was my mother
Do you hate me?
Even if you do,
T won't go home
Let's go
Any calls since then?
Nothing
I see
Come on in
It's bigger than I expected
TI got it cheap
through a friend
Sit down.
T'll make tea
Listen, Shiori
When Yu comes back,
T'll take her
My parents can help me
look after her
I'm in better financial
condition
Besides, living with you isn't
good for Yu, either
You can still come see her
T've had enough regrets
Mina-chan?
Were you asleep?
No
You can't sleep?
I wonder if Mom
is worried about me
Can you play the piano?
I learned when I was small
Play that song again
Why are you crying?
I don't know
Hello?
Is that you, Minako?
How have you been?
Good
Your father is very worried
Is Yu with you?
Yes, she is
Is she very angry with me?
No, she isn't
Listen, Minako
I'm so sorry
I can't be a mother,
after all
Yu will never be happy with me
She's better off
with her father
Selfish.
It's not your decision
But I've decided
Come back home now
Where are you now?
Where were you?
We're leaving.
Get ready
Where will we go?
I haven't decided
You want to go home?
Will we never go back?
I called Mother earlier
You'll live with your
father when you get back
So forget about Mother
Let's go somewhere
far away together
You're lying
That's a lie, isn't it?
You hate me,
that's why you're being nasty
I'm different to you
Takatsuki speaking
Hirotani Police station here
Yes?
Your daughter, Minako
called Shiori Nagahara earlier
She said that Yu is with her
I see
We've confirmed they took
a bus for Sendai two days ago
Any idea where they'd go?
Shiori's parents lived
in Aihama, near Sendai
Good.
T'll contact Aihama right away
This is Aihama Station
We found a girl at the station
Yes, she's about seven years old
She's wearing a yellow coat
Saki Terashima
Himawari Ono