Lost Man Found (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript
ON THE SET OF A MUCH-LOVED
JAPANESE TV DRAMA
DIRECTOR: We're rolling!
And... action!
I've decided to run
for mayor of the village.
And to make it official, I've...
-(laughter)
-Sorry, I got tongue-tied.
-DIRECTOR: Cut!
-Sorry, everybody.
DIRECTOR: Sorry folks.
Get ready for another take.
I've decided to run
for mayor of the village.
EDITOR: Actor, Satoru Matsuo.
You might spot him on screen
from time to time in supporting roles.
WOMAN (on TV):
Are you allowed to use the bus for that?
It's fine!
EDITOR: A single short story
that he was brazen enough to send to me,
a literary editor,
had left me strangely fascinated...
and led me to hunt him down on set.
That's how our story begins.
(gentle music)
(indistinct chatter)
EDITOR: Where the heck is he?
-Bye now. See you soon!
-WOMAN: Bye!
-Mr. Matsuo!
-Quiet!
DIRECTOR: And, cut!
Cut! Okay, let's get ready
for the next shot.
All actors please stand by.
Mr. Matsuo!
Huh? What are you doing here?
Don't play dumb!
I came to meet Satoru Matsuo, the author.
Author?
-CREW: No eating in costume, please.
-Right. Sorry.
I read your manuscript.
I really enjoyed it.
-You mean it?
-Is it a true story?
You really became an actor
by finding a lost airline ticket?
MR. MATSUO: Well, you know, it's...
I guess you could say that.
Fascinating. Why don't you serialize it?
EDITOR: I want to know what happens next.
Serialize? You mean my life story?
EDITOR: Come on.
That was your plan all along.
No way! I'd never...
Besides, are you sure I'm what you want?
Who'd be interested in the boring life
of some third-rate character actor?
That looks like a second chapter.
MR. MATSUO:
What? I wouldn't call it that...
-CREW: Ms. Arimura, we're ready for you.
-Coming!
Are you writing a book, Mr. Matsuo?
I guess! She's begging me
to serialize my life story.
That's amazing!
It's just like a soap opera!
Come on! You exaggerate!
KASUMI: Excuse me, then.
-Hey, Kasumi! Take this with you.
-KASUMI: Oh, thank you!
-Back to work!
-MR. MATSUO: Break a leg.
BUS FOR OSATO STATION
EXIT
(light music)
You know, if I'm being honest,
I'm much more interested
in a character actor's life
than that of a star.
MR. MATSUO: I mean, would you want to see
the life story of a big name
like Kasumi Arimura?
Of course, I would!
Much more than I'd want to see yours.
EDITOR: But what actually interests me
is how such a third-rate actor
got chosen for TV dramas
that are watched by all of Japan.
It's the way fortune smiles on you
and the fortuitous encounters you've had.
I mean, even your looks are third-rate.
(chuckles)
-Sorry.
-(chuckles)
Well, I know what you mean.
You could say fate's led me along or...
that I'm a lost man who's been found
by others time and again.
But what made you want
to start writing now?
Well...
speaking of being found.
My family would regularly go
on picnics once a month.
EDITOR:
You've drawn your own illustrations too?
(Mr. Matsuo chuckles)
We never failed to have our picnic,
-rain or shine...
-(rain pouring)
And we always ate the same thing.
Futomaki sushi rolls.
-We must have looked like oddballs.
-(bird chirps)
YOUNG TAKESHI:
Come on, big bro! Wait for me!
YOUNG MATSUO: Too slow!
35 YEARS AGO
-YOUNG MATSUO: Let me ride!
-YOUNG TAKESHI: I said no!
Hey, Takeshi! Satoru!
-Time to eat futomaki!
-YOUNG MATSUO'S MOM: Here we go...
These too... There!
-Thank you for the meal.
-Thank you for the meal.
(chomping)
MR. MATSUO: My parents said if we ate them
our wishes would come true.
(gentle music)
(bird chirps)
YOUNG MATSUO (chanting):
I wish I had my own bike...
Wishes don't come true
if you say 'em out loud.
YOUNG MATSUO'S MOM:
Plus, you can't even ride a bike yet.
You ain't getting one
'til you learn to ride.
But I want one now!
You bought big bro one
before he could ride!
It ain't fair!
YOUNG MATSUO: How come he gets
whatever he wants and I don't?
What do you want from us?
You're just a lost boy we found
on the other side of the Muko River here
when we came to see the cherry blossoms.
(sobs)
What?
(bird chirps)
(women laughing)
What are you talking about?
(laughing continues)
YOUNG MATSUO: Hey, big bro!
Am I really a foundling?
What are you doing?
(young Matsuo squeals)
(crying)
(blaring)
EDITOR: A foundling?
MR. MATSUO:
Well, it was just my mom's idea of a joke.
Who knows? Maybe it's true.
What?
-CREW: Mr. Matsuo, we're ready for you.
-Coming! Excuse me for a second.
-Why don't we make that the title?
-MR. MATSUO: Sorry?
"Lost Man Found."
EDITOR: This is the story of a lost man
who is destined to be found
again and again.
It's a TV drama,
based on one hell of a true story,
but the names of characters
and organizations who appear
have mostly been changed.
(intro music)
SUGITA TAXI CAB
(man whistling)
The name's Satoru Matsudo!
EDITOR: This is our hero, Satoru Matsudo.
He's a lot thinner
than the real Satoru, but...
this is fiction, after all.
Before becoming an actor, his dream was...
MATSUDO:
I've always dreamt of being a taxi driver.
Pick up passengers
and chat as I drive them around...
MATSUDO: Get paid...
Eat whatever I want
whenever I feel hungry...
Nap in my car when I feel sleepy...
Name me another job
that's this much fun...
Ow! Hey!
SUGITA: Are you really that stupid?
Being a taxi driver is no cakewalk.
SUGITA: There's no shortage of violent
passengers or those waiting to puke.
And then there are the quotas...
My dad drove for ten years
without a ticket or accident
before he finally got his own cab.
MATSUDO: Seriously?
You'll never catch me doing this.
Sugita!
(Matsudo grunting)
Sugita. What's the point
of quitting high school, then?
I'm going to be a model.
-A model?
-That's right.
Before the prophecies
of Nostradamus come true
and this whole place explodes...
I'm going to make it out of this...
(yelling angrily)
...stupid apartment complex!
MATSUDO: We'd grown up
in a mammoth housing project.
It had its own pre-school,
elementary school,
junior high, and high school.
I got it!
-(shouting)
-(students clamoring)
My shoulder! My shoulder hurts!
MATSUDO: I tried spending my days on rugby
since that's what my brother did...
(whimpering)
How long are you going to hide back here?
It ain't that bad!
Your brother never complained once
when he was hurt!
(panting)
Don't look at me like that!
Children...
We can't let the children die!
MATSUDO: And then, one day...
WOMAN: Brother!
(performers singing)
(applause)
...I saw live theater
for the first time...
More than the play,
it was the huge smiles
on the actors' faces
as they received applause...
that stopped me in my tracks.
This is what I want to do!
FEMALE STUDENT: You should do it, then!
(applause continues)
(Matsudo exclaims)
(celebratory music)
That said,
I had no idea what I had to do
to become an actor...
Ah, whatever...
Soon I was back to goofing around...
How 'bout a date?
...and the years went by...
until the winter when Nostradamus's
prophecy failed to come true.
That's a pretty famous theater company!
WOMAN: Yeah, I guess they're starting
to become more famous.
Actually... the truth is...
I want to be an actor.
In that case, move to Tokyo.
Tokyo? But this company's in Osaka...
Ain't nothing happening in Osaka!
Go to Tokyo.
MATSUDO: This woman worked in the office
of one of Osaka's
most popular theater companies.
I took her at her word and...
Tokyo!
So if I go to Tokyo...
I'm moving to Tokyo, everybody!
-WOMAN: Alright!
-MAN: Go get 'em!
PEOPLE (chanting): Tokyo! Tokyo!
(objects clatter)
MATSUDO'S MOM:
Wait, sorry... what are you saying?
I'm saying,
I want to be an actor.
What do you mean "an actor"?
Like Ryotaro Sugi!
Your grandma loves him!
Like that...
Or like Ken Takakura!
One of those guys
who acts on TV or in movies.
Yeah, but you...
Ken Takakura?
How do you even become an actor?
MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: You saw A Star is Born!
Like I said...
I'm moving to Tokyo...
(sighs)
MATSUDO: Okay?
(laughs)
Hold on a second...
First Takeshi says
he won't be a salaryman...
MATSUDO'S MOM:
Don't you go talking crazy too!
TAKESHI: Let him do what he wants.
In that case, maybe I'll go to Hollywood.
Don't... Don't go teasing me.
MATSUDO: I'm serious!
I'm serious too.
That look...
-TAKESHI: What?
-Don't give me that look!
-(Matsudo's Dad screams)
-(Matsudo gasps)
MATSUDO'S MOM: Hey... Hey, what are you...
(Matsudo's Dad grunting)
Futomaki!
MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: Alright, alright...
They ain't ready yet.
Okay, here you go. All yours.
MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: You too.
Here...
If you ain't going to eat,
you can both get the hell out of here!
MATSUDO'S GRANDMA:
Keep your voice down, will you?
The futomaki will wrap
your destiny up tight
and make your wishes come true!
I'm praying that Satoru
becomes the next Robert De Niro.
MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: Grandma too...
will pray for him to be like Ryotaro Sugi!
(chomping)
-MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: Yum.
-MATSUDO: I've had enough.
Of you, Dad. And you, big bro.
And these damn futomaki rolls.
I've had enough.
What did I do, huh?
You're the worst of them all!
If it weren't for that stupid
Specium Ray you shot at me!
Specium Ray? What are you talking about?
Hell if I know!
MATSUDO'S MOM: Wait, Satoru...
Huh?
-Water!
-Alright...
-I'm dying here!
-MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: Huh? Water?
(dramatic music)
Hello? Sugita? It's me, Matsudo.
Satoru Matsudo, you idiot!
I'm coming to Tokyo to be an actor.
SUGITA: Oh! That's great!
So you're ready to start
your race too, huh?
Do you think it's a good idea?
-It's so good. Great! You'll do great!
-WOMAN: What do you mean?
Huh? Sugita?
SUGITA: Hurry... up, okay? Tokyo!
Sugita?
(dramatic music)
(upbeat music playing in the background)
(indistinct background chatter)
TOKYO
JAN. 2000
MATSUDO: January, 2000.
-MATSUDO: Excuse me.
-MAN: Yes?
Do I turn left here to get to Kita Aoyama?
-Kita Aoyama? Yeah, that's right.
-Thanks.
MATSUDO: My former classmate Sugita
really was pursuing a modeling career
and lived in a fancy neighborhood
called Kita Aoyama.
SHOWA APARTMENTS
Matsudo? Matsudo!
-MATSUDO: Oh, Sugita!
-It really is you!
(laughter)
-You really came!
-Look at your hair!
Yeah, I know. Oh, this is Matsudo.
-Matsudo?
-Matsudo.
MATSUDO: Sorry to intrude.
SUGITA: Just leave your bags over there.
So what kind of actor you want to be?
You should be like Gallo! Vincent Gallo!
I'm aiming to be a model like Gallo too.
MATSUDO: Whoa! You are a model!
SUGITA: Listen.
Don't bother looking for a room.
-Huh?
-SUGITA: You can live with us.
-Are you sure?
-You don't mind, right?
-Mind what?
-SUGITA: Forget it.
This place costs 120,000 yen a month.
If we divide by three, that's 40,000 each.
Living in Aoyama for 40,000 yen
is like living in uptown Ashiya
for 20,000. Right?
What are you saying?
So, uh... How are you going
to become an actor?
Hello? Excuse me, but...
I was hoping I could audition for your...
Huh?
Next year?
Right! Of course!
MATSUDO: Goodbye.
(sobs)
MATSUDO:
It was the worst mistake of my life.
Nearly all the theater companies had
filled their roster before the new year.
(panting)
THEATER MAGAZINE
MATSUDO: Auditions in February?
Tokyo Kandenchi.
I knew the name, at least.
If I recall, it was Akira Emoto's company.
The sketches he did
with Ken Shimura weren't half bad.
(sighs)
I decided to go see them perform.
THE SUZUNARI THEATER
(toilet flushes)
(water running)
AKIRA: Ow. That burns.
Come on...
(water stops)
(toilet flushes)
(faint upbeat music playing)
(enticing music)
Now I was feeling the excitement.
Being an understudy to Akira Emoto...
I'M INTERESTED IN BEING A STAGE ACTOR
...doesn't sound bad at all.
Huh? What do you mean "she left"?
Hell if I know what her deal is!
SUGITA:
I was going to break up with her anyway.
MATSUDO:
Whoa, hold on... What about the rent?
You know, half and half.
(hiccups)
Same as before.
That's a relief...
Wait, it's only the same for you!
-MATSUDO: Ow!
-Idiot!
Living in Aoyama for 60,000 yen is like
living in uptown Ashiya for 30,000!
What a deal...
Hold it! No way!
-SUGITA: What are you so excited about?
-My rent's gone up 20,000 yen.
-It's the same as before.
-It's 20,000 more!
-Same as always!
-Only for you!
And so, I ended up having to pay
20,000 yen more in rent than expected.
-SUGITA: You okay with black?
-MATSUDO: Yeah, thanks.
(vending machine clatters)
SUGITA: Cut it out. You look like a hick.
You're at least
going to look for a job, right?
MATSUDO (in English): Thank you.
(in Japanese)
You doing modeling work, today?
This and that.
(exhales)
(machine whirring)
(Matsudo grunting)
SUGITA: Cut it out, already!
You can't go picking up trash here!
(panting)
Whoa! It's an airline ticket!
An airline ticket!
Just throw it in the garbage.
You're grossing me out.
(Matsudo grunts)
I bet I could get money
if I cashed this, right?
Are you out of your mind?
Take it to the police.
-That's a waste!
-Take it to the police, now.
I can't stand it...
when stuff like that isn't returned.
Is that what Tokyoites are like?
Turn it in!
(vehicles revving)
"Will relinquish all rights..."
MATSUDO: "Would like a reward..."
Yeah, I want a reward.
WOULD LIKE A REWARD
(TERMS TO BE DETERMINED)
(snoring)
(phone ringing)
(ringing continues)
-(phone beeps)
-Huh? Hello?
WOMAN (over phone): Hello? Is this...
-Mr. Matsudo?
-Yes.
My name is Yamamura.
I believe you recovered
an airline ticket I lost.
An air...
Oh! Yes!
YAMAMURA: And so...
I'm calling about the reward...
-WAITRESS: Do you have a reservation?
-MATSUDO: Yes.
WAITRESS: This way.
(lively music)
Are you ready to order?
Um...
MATSUDO:
Ice Sep... Separate... Tea Orange.
MATSUDO:
Since I figured she'd foot the bill,
I ordered the most
expensive drink they had.
YAMAMURA: Excuse me...
I'm Yamamura. We spoke on the phone.
Hello. I'm Matsudo.
Thank you so much for...
-No, it was nothing!
-You really saved me.
Um, as a token of my gratitude...
WAITRESS: Feel free to call me
when you're ready to order.
Have a seat.
-A coffee then.
-WAITRESS: Certainly.
(Matsudo chuckles)
YAMAMURA: Anyway, it's not much, but...
Some beer vouchers.
You shouldn't have...
(Matsudo chuckles)
Actually...
ONE FREE BEER
I haven't had a beer in a while,
so I'm really happy.
MATSUDO: That's a lie.
When the words
"beer voucher" left her mouth,
I nearly died from disappointment.
(chuckles)
So, you're from the Kansai region?
Yes. I just moved here, recently.
I see...
Did you move here for work?
Oh, for... acting.
I want to do stage work.
-The stage?
-Yes.
WAITRESS: Sorry to keep you waiting.
Your iced separate tea orange.
(chuckling)
WAITRESS: And your coffee.
Thank you.
(slurping)
If I may...
Do you have anywhere in mind?
-MATSUDO: Excuse me?
-A theater company.
No, nowhere specific...
But I do have an audition scheduled.
With what theater?
-It's called Tokyo Kandenchi.
-Kandenchi?
-Yes.
-You like it?
-Excuse me?
-Their work.
Oh, it's not that I'm a big fan
or anything...
-Why then?
-MATSUDO: Well, Akira Emoto...
Um, Mr. Akira Emoto is...
I see...
(slurping)
If I may...
If you don't mind,
perhaps you could contact me
when you find out the results.
(upbeat percussive music)
I happen to be...
the president of a production company.
I see...
-A production company?
-Yes.
HIROKO YAMAMURA
PRESIDENT OF FMC
MATSUDO: Never heard of them.
What the hell does "FMC" stand for?
They going to give you
a championship belt or something?
MATSUDO: She was a really pretty,
mature woman, though.
You're such an easy mark.
Better not call her back.
I mean, "I have a production company.
Give me a call..."
Sounds way too good to be true.
Here. I'll keep it safe for you.
-Oh, no you don't!
-Come on! You can trust me!
ARITA: Pipe down over there.
Oh, Mr. Arita. This is Matsudo.
An old buddy from my hometown.
He came to Tokyo to become an actor.
Hey, I know! Have him read your palm!
Mr. Arita, read his palm.
Mr. Arita's a fortune teller.
I'm not a fortune teller!
I just tell fortunes.
(jazz music playing)
MATSUDO: Well...
How's it look?
You may have a trip abroad in your future.
What?
In that case, maybe I'll go to Hollywood.
You mean Hollywood?
Well... it might not be as an actor.
ARITA: Palm lines change a lot, too.
(chuckles)
SUGITA: Could you read mine as well?
My last reading sucked, right?
Maybe I've got a successful
modeling future now.
I didn't mean they change in three days.
Please! I'm begging you.
Fine.
-Oh!
-SUGITA: Yeah?
I see a new woman in your life.
Seriously? For real?
That could be good or bad, though.
SUGITA:
What could be bad about a new girlfriend?
MATSUDO: Damn...
I guess I won't get lucky twice.
Whoa!
Don't act that surprised!
Just because I got a new girlfriend...
What? A girlfriend?
-Yoshiko. She's from Osaka.
-Yo!
Yo...
(Sugita laughs)
But this is the first time
that one of Mr. Arita's readings
came true for me.
(Sugita laughs)
-Here. Come on in.
-YOSHIKO: Thanks.
Well...
Okay. This way. Second floor.
Careful on the steps.
They're pretty steep.
SUGITA: There you go...
(footsteps)
(mouthing)
SUGITA: Come on.
(footsteps continue)
MATSUDO:
Sugita often brought Yoshiko over.
And on those days...
(vending machine rattling)
(camera shutter clicking)
-YOSHIKO: You look great!
-SUGITA: How about this?
YOSHIKO: Fab! That was really hot!
(dramatic music)
MATSUDO: Damn, it's cold.
-Tokyo's freezing at night...
-YOSHIKO: Stop. He's home.
SUGITA: Don't worry about him.
He likes to listen.
SUGITA: It's a fetish of his.
(gasps)
-YOSHIKO: Seriously?
-SUGITA: Yoshiko...
(moaning)
MATSUDO: I thought I might go nuts...
(upbeat music)
So I'd go wandering into town.
And I ended up at...
(upbeat music continues)
MATSUDO: Come again!
Welcome!
-Will this be a one-week rental?
-CUSTOMER: Yes.
Your membership card, please.
MATSUDO: I started working part-time
at a video store with midnight hours.
-Thank you very much!
-CUSTOMER: Thanks.
-Welcome!
-FEMALE CLERK: Welcome!
I'll take that for you.
-Hold them firmly with your left hand.
-MATSUDO: Yes, ma'am.
The videos that come in and out
are the most popular.
So once they're returned,
make sure to get them back out
on the floor the soonest
and "master back."
Return...
-Master back.
-MATSUDO: Yes, ma'am!
The floor leader Ms. Yamashita
had worked there for eight years.
Getting returned master tapes
back on the shelves was her life.
Master back. Over there! Master back.
TATSUYA VIDEO RENTAL, REGISTER
WITH STUDENT ID OR HEALTH INSURANCE CARD
Yoshi... Ms. Yoshimira,
what about this one?
Well, my real name's Yoshimura, you know.
But people always say Yoshimira
suits me better.
Anyway, my favorite screenwriter
is Haruhiko Arai.
MATSUDO: The socially awkward Yoshimira
was your textbook otaku girl.
I like him too! W's Tragedy is great.
And Revolver too.
(Yoshimira laughs, mumbles)
I like the scene where Yoshiko Mita
says "Actress! Actress! Actress!"
No, that's not the best line.
It's "Don't hit me in the face."
"I'm an actress, after all."
(chuckles)
Um, looking forward to working with you.
MATSUDO: Tsukamoto wants to be a director
and makes movies as a hobby.
Nakata, who's also from Kansai,
wants to be a comedian.
I think I'll get along well with them.
-Ah, never mind.
-What's that mean?
"Never mind yourself!
Thank you, everyone."
You don't have to go that far.
I'd love to work on a Tsukamoto flick.
I applied to be on the crew
for Bullet Ballet, but I wasn't hired.
(laughs)
Tsukamoto's movies are great!
Oh, not the real Shinya Tsukamoto.
This Tsukamoto.
No more chatting. Master back!
Your dreams won't come true, anyway.
(gentle music)
If you've got time to dream,
then master back. Drop!
MATSUDO: And then, at last...
The day of the audition
for Tokyo Kandenchi.
FEMALE STAFF: Thank you for waiting!
We'll be calling in
groups of eight at a time.
You eight,
please make your way to the stage.
Follow me.
FEMALE STAFF: Please watch your step.
Now, please form a line
over here.
Place your belongings to the side.
CASTING DIRECTOR: Hmm...
Okay, we'll begin with self-introductions.
You may go first.
AKIRA EMOTO
MATSUDO: I felt slightly let down
that Akira Emoto wasn't there.
Everyone...
why the hell would you want
to work in the theater?
Nothing good will come from it.
MATSUDO: Way to kill the mood, dickhead!
Do you know what I went through
just to get here?
I somehow managed to complain...
through my facial expression alone.
Suit yourselves. Let's get started, then.
MALE STAFF: From this point,
we will ask you each to perform.
Imagine you're lost in the mountains.
Night has fallen.
You're scared out of your mind.
But despite the situation,
muster your courage
and take some form of action.
AUDITIONER: I...
still...
have the strength to move forward!
CASTING DIRECTOR 1: Wrong decade.
CASTING DIRECTOR 2:
Next candidate, please.
MATSUDO (clears throat):
Thank you for the opportunity.
Okay, go.
(shouting)
Somebody!
Anybody!
MATSUDO: I'm over here!
I need help!
(sobbing)
Somebody!
Someone please help me!
MATSUDO: Help me!
Help me, please!
CASTING DIRECTOR 2:
Crying won't do you any good.
You're lost on a mountainside... right?
I wonder...
CASTING DIRECTOR 1:
Next candidate, please.
(sobs)
(singing)
♪ The mountains ♪
♪ Are white with snow ♪
♪ The morning sun shines down ♪
♪ As my skis ♪
♪ Carry me ♪
♪ Faster than the wind ♪
MATSUDO: This... is... that moment!
♪ Is it the flight of the powder snow ♪
♪ Or the dancing veil of fog ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ My body now too ♪
♪ Is covered in a blanket of white ♪
Somebody get him a tissue!
(sobbing)
Help me...
-MALE STAFF: Here you go.
-Help me...
Oh, I'm sorry.
(sobbing softly)
(sobbing continues)
Ow, that hurts...
-Emoto, where've you been?
-AKIRA: You know!
CASTING DIRECTOR 1: No, we don't know...
You know!
CASTING DIRECTOR 2:
We can't let you out of our sight.
AKIRA: Sure.
I'll bet he was just hiding back there.
MATSUDO: It felt like fate.
(blows nose)
Being a student of Akira Emoto...
can't be bad!
SEVERAL DAYS LATER
FROM KANDENCHI THEATER COMPANY
PASS
-(exclaiming in excitement)
-You did it!
(laughter)
DID NOT PASS
Damn it!
(sobbing)
SUGITA: Well...
Hey, that hurts!
(grunts)
-Dammit!
-SUGITA: Huh?
-(distant chattering)
-(panting)
(machine whirring)
-SUGITA: Don't do it. I'm warning you.
-Hello?
This is Matsudo! That's right!
The plane ticket guy!
I failed my audition! With Kandenchi!
YAMAMURA: I knew it!
Huh?
YAMAMURA (chuckles):
I knew you had no chance with Kandenchi.
But this is a lucky break for you.
That was not the right place for you.
YAMAMURA:
I'm not saying it's a bad company.
They're all good people, but...
If you were with them...
I doubt you'd ever bloom.
I see...
I actually...
think you have a really nice face.
It's rare these days to see such a pota...
You look like one of those
young soldiers from the old days.
On the sixth floor
of that building there is our office.
What? My apartment's right here!
-YAMAMURA: Really?
-Look!
YAMAMURA: Come on...
I was right. This must be fate.
The door to your destiny is about to open!
Open... sesame!
MATSUDO: Whoa!
(laughing)
YAMAMURA: This is Matsudo.
(mumbling)
Ma...
I'm Matsudo.
Satoru Matsudo.
(female staff clears throat)
MATSUDO: What does FMC stand for, anyway?
Exactly what it looks like.
Fashion Model Company. F-M-C.
Huh?
WOMAN: Okay, that's good.
(lively music playing)
No way...
WOMAN: Use your hips more!
Stretch out that back!
Eh? Seriously? But what am I...
Don't worry. I don't expect that from you.
You want to be an actor, right?
WOMAN: That's good! Keep going!
(laughing)
Can you believe it? Me? A Model?
-(Matsudo laughing)
-(sighs)
MATSUDO: Do you...
Do you do this sort of stuff, too?
(laughs)
Please...
YOSHIKO: Hey! I know this girl!
She's really popular right now!
MATSUDO: What?
Who?
-Never seen her.
-Yes, you have!
It's her! Look!
YOSHIKO:
Haruka Igawa! She's the "soothing" type!
You got yourself
into a really good company!
YOSHIKO: Have him introduce you too!
-It should really be you there!
-YOSHIKO: Come on...
This is...
-Introduce me.
-MATSUDO: Can't do it.
Hold it! You've got to!
I mean it. Introduce me. Please!
MATSUDO:
Listen, will you? It can't be done!
You should have picked up
that ticket yourself!
I wish I had...
I wish I had!
SUGITA: Because of you, I'm constantly...
I'm looking down when I walk lately!
Today too... I just...
(sobbing)
I just don't know what to do anymore!
Don't worry!
Let me be the one who looks down.
You walk with your head high!
Being a hair model is not the end for you!
-A "hair model?" Since when?
-Yoshiko!
-YOSHIKO: A hair model!
-SUGITA: Yoshiko!
-SUGITA: Yoshiko!
-YOSHIKO: Hair model!
-YOSHIKO: Get off me!
-SUGITA: Yoshiko!
YOSHIKO: Hey!
-MATSUDO: A hair model...
-YOSHIKO: Too much!
(cheerful music)
Oh, my...
FEMALE TRAINER:
Looking good. Tighten that stomach!
Your butt, your belly, and your back.
Stretch!
-Go!
-MATSUDO: For some reason,
I mixed in with the models.
That's how my life as an actor began.
WOMAN: No way. Not a chance.
We've talked this whole time
about aiming for glamour!
WOMAN:
Why did you go and find someone like him?
What should we do, then?
WOMAN: Don't give me "what should we do"!
Here we go again.
The boss's weird fixation with theater.
You can't do this to me.
I'm not here to play makeover.
FEMALE TRAINER:
Okay! That's the spirit, Satoru!
PHOTOGRAPHER:
Yeah. That'll do. Let's take the photos.
Okay, here we go.
Um, even if you pose like that,
we'll only see your face.
-Oh, right...
-And your hair will move too.
Oh, that reminds me!
Say...
Do you know a girl
who will do her hair like this?
PHOTOGRAPHER:
I'll pay you extra! Introduce me.
Welcome!
-Good morning.
-Morning.
Thank you, come again.
TABATA
IN TRAINING
Tabata...
Welcome! I'll take those.
Will you be renting for a week?
(mumbling)
-(scanner beeping)
-Okay. Right...
Got it, thank you!
(chuckles)
Next is...
Oh, right.
(panting)
What's all this?
Oh, that? I'm leaving.
What?
What do you mean?
Hey, hold up.
How am I supposed to pay the rent alone?
Wait...
What do you care?
You're the one
who got into a modeling agency.
You're all glowing...
the future's bright and stuff.
Don't tell me that's the reason?
(Matsudo groans)
Sorry about this. But if he stays here
any longer, he'll rot away.
What's up with that hair?
Here. This month's rent.
Hurry and find a nice roommate.
-YOSHIKO: Let's go.
-SUGITA: Right.
MATSUDO: Hey, Sugita!
Hey!
SUGITA: All right...
Throw this away, will you?
MATSUDO: But...
Hey, come on!
(sighs)
(somber music)
YOSHIKO: Enough with the long face!
Uh, right...
(chuckles)
(exhales)
Sugita. What's the point
of quitting high school, then?
I'm going to be a model.
I'm going to make it out
of this stupid apartment complex...
(voice echoing)
-YOSHIKO: Oh!
-What is it?
A five-yen coin.
That's the coin of fate, isn't it?
May we be bound by destiny.
(sobs)
Yoshiko!
(laughter)
YOSHIKO: May we be bound by destiny!
(grunting)
(exhales in slow motion)
EDITOR: It all began when he found
an airline ticket
and years of fateful coincidences
were still ahead.
But that's a story for another time.
(pants)
(phone ringing)
Hello?
MATSUDO'S MOM: Are you doing well?
Same as always. Need something?
You ain't got to talk like that.
I got to go to work.
If it's not important, I'm hanging up.
Wait.
Actually... your brother...
left...
for America.
America?
(plane whirring)
(lively music)
Satoru?
MATSUDO'S MOM: Satoru? Did you hear me?
Hello?
MATSUDO'S MOM: Hello?
(applause and cheers)
(closing theme music)
I'm in love with you!
IS THIS SATORU'S SOULMATE
I'm sure you'll meet someone
who's right for you, Satoru.
You really are awesome, you know.
In your dreams!
I think it's time
you tried some auditions.
I'm your man!
AN AUDITION... HE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE!
You're all a bunch of amateurs!
This isn't a comedy sketch.
It's a tragedy.
Let me have at least
one successful audition.
It's pronounced "Go-ji-ra!"
Auditions, huh?
MATSUDO: Are you sure I have no chance?
JAPANESE TV DRAMA
DIRECTOR: We're rolling!
And... action!
I've decided to run
for mayor of the village.
And to make it official, I've...
-(laughter)
-Sorry, I got tongue-tied.
-DIRECTOR: Cut!
-Sorry, everybody.
DIRECTOR: Sorry folks.
Get ready for another take.
I've decided to run
for mayor of the village.
EDITOR: Actor, Satoru Matsuo.
You might spot him on screen
from time to time in supporting roles.
WOMAN (on TV):
Are you allowed to use the bus for that?
It's fine!
EDITOR: A single short story
that he was brazen enough to send to me,
a literary editor,
had left me strangely fascinated...
and led me to hunt him down on set.
That's how our story begins.
(gentle music)
(indistinct chatter)
EDITOR: Where the heck is he?
-Bye now. See you soon!
-WOMAN: Bye!
-Mr. Matsuo!
-Quiet!
DIRECTOR: And, cut!
Cut! Okay, let's get ready
for the next shot.
All actors please stand by.
Mr. Matsuo!
Huh? What are you doing here?
Don't play dumb!
I came to meet Satoru Matsuo, the author.
Author?
-CREW: No eating in costume, please.
-Right. Sorry.
I read your manuscript.
I really enjoyed it.
-You mean it?
-Is it a true story?
You really became an actor
by finding a lost airline ticket?
MR. MATSUO: Well, you know, it's...
I guess you could say that.
Fascinating. Why don't you serialize it?
EDITOR: I want to know what happens next.
Serialize? You mean my life story?
EDITOR: Come on.
That was your plan all along.
No way! I'd never...
Besides, are you sure I'm what you want?
Who'd be interested in the boring life
of some third-rate character actor?
That looks like a second chapter.
MR. MATSUO:
What? I wouldn't call it that...
-CREW: Ms. Arimura, we're ready for you.
-Coming!
Are you writing a book, Mr. Matsuo?
I guess! She's begging me
to serialize my life story.
That's amazing!
It's just like a soap opera!
Come on! You exaggerate!
KASUMI: Excuse me, then.
-Hey, Kasumi! Take this with you.
-KASUMI: Oh, thank you!
-Back to work!
-MR. MATSUO: Break a leg.
BUS FOR OSATO STATION
EXIT
(light music)
You know, if I'm being honest,
I'm much more interested
in a character actor's life
than that of a star.
MR. MATSUO: I mean, would you want to see
the life story of a big name
like Kasumi Arimura?
Of course, I would!
Much more than I'd want to see yours.
EDITOR: But what actually interests me
is how such a third-rate actor
got chosen for TV dramas
that are watched by all of Japan.
It's the way fortune smiles on you
and the fortuitous encounters you've had.
I mean, even your looks are third-rate.
(chuckles)
-Sorry.
-(chuckles)
Well, I know what you mean.
You could say fate's led me along or...
that I'm a lost man who's been found
by others time and again.
But what made you want
to start writing now?
Well...
speaking of being found.
My family would regularly go
on picnics once a month.
EDITOR:
You've drawn your own illustrations too?
(Mr. Matsuo chuckles)
We never failed to have our picnic,
-rain or shine...
-(rain pouring)
And we always ate the same thing.
Futomaki sushi rolls.
-We must have looked like oddballs.
-(bird chirps)
YOUNG TAKESHI:
Come on, big bro! Wait for me!
YOUNG MATSUO: Too slow!
35 YEARS AGO
-YOUNG MATSUO: Let me ride!
-YOUNG TAKESHI: I said no!
Hey, Takeshi! Satoru!
-Time to eat futomaki!
-YOUNG MATSUO'S MOM: Here we go...
These too... There!
-Thank you for the meal.
-Thank you for the meal.
(chomping)
MR. MATSUO: My parents said if we ate them
our wishes would come true.
(gentle music)
(bird chirps)
YOUNG MATSUO (chanting):
I wish I had my own bike...
Wishes don't come true
if you say 'em out loud.
YOUNG MATSUO'S MOM:
Plus, you can't even ride a bike yet.
You ain't getting one
'til you learn to ride.
But I want one now!
You bought big bro one
before he could ride!
It ain't fair!
YOUNG MATSUO: How come he gets
whatever he wants and I don't?
What do you want from us?
You're just a lost boy we found
on the other side of the Muko River here
when we came to see the cherry blossoms.
(sobs)
What?
(bird chirps)
(women laughing)
What are you talking about?
(laughing continues)
YOUNG MATSUO: Hey, big bro!
Am I really a foundling?
What are you doing?
(young Matsuo squeals)
(crying)
(blaring)
EDITOR: A foundling?
MR. MATSUO:
Well, it was just my mom's idea of a joke.
Who knows? Maybe it's true.
What?
-CREW: Mr. Matsuo, we're ready for you.
-Coming! Excuse me for a second.
-Why don't we make that the title?
-MR. MATSUO: Sorry?
"Lost Man Found."
EDITOR: This is the story of a lost man
who is destined to be found
again and again.
It's a TV drama,
based on one hell of a true story,
but the names of characters
and organizations who appear
have mostly been changed.
(intro music)
SUGITA TAXI CAB
(man whistling)
The name's Satoru Matsudo!
EDITOR: This is our hero, Satoru Matsudo.
He's a lot thinner
than the real Satoru, but...
this is fiction, after all.
Before becoming an actor, his dream was...
MATSUDO:
I've always dreamt of being a taxi driver.
Pick up passengers
and chat as I drive them around...
MATSUDO: Get paid...
Eat whatever I want
whenever I feel hungry...
Nap in my car when I feel sleepy...
Name me another job
that's this much fun...
Ow! Hey!
SUGITA: Are you really that stupid?
Being a taxi driver is no cakewalk.
SUGITA: There's no shortage of violent
passengers or those waiting to puke.
And then there are the quotas...
My dad drove for ten years
without a ticket or accident
before he finally got his own cab.
MATSUDO: Seriously?
You'll never catch me doing this.
Sugita!
(Matsudo grunting)
Sugita. What's the point
of quitting high school, then?
I'm going to be a model.
-A model?
-That's right.
Before the prophecies
of Nostradamus come true
and this whole place explodes...
I'm going to make it out of this...
(yelling angrily)
...stupid apartment complex!
MATSUDO: We'd grown up
in a mammoth housing project.
It had its own pre-school,
elementary school,
junior high, and high school.
I got it!
-(shouting)
-(students clamoring)
My shoulder! My shoulder hurts!
MATSUDO: I tried spending my days on rugby
since that's what my brother did...
(whimpering)
How long are you going to hide back here?
It ain't that bad!
Your brother never complained once
when he was hurt!
(panting)
Don't look at me like that!
Children...
We can't let the children die!
MATSUDO: And then, one day...
WOMAN: Brother!
(performers singing)
(applause)
...I saw live theater
for the first time...
More than the play,
it was the huge smiles
on the actors' faces
as they received applause...
that stopped me in my tracks.
This is what I want to do!
FEMALE STUDENT: You should do it, then!
(applause continues)
(Matsudo exclaims)
(celebratory music)
That said,
I had no idea what I had to do
to become an actor...
Ah, whatever...
Soon I was back to goofing around...
How 'bout a date?
...and the years went by...
until the winter when Nostradamus's
prophecy failed to come true.
That's a pretty famous theater company!
WOMAN: Yeah, I guess they're starting
to become more famous.
Actually... the truth is...
I want to be an actor.
In that case, move to Tokyo.
Tokyo? But this company's in Osaka...
Ain't nothing happening in Osaka!
Go to Tokyo.
MATSUDO: This woman worked in the office
of one of Osaka's
most popular theater companies.
I took her at her word and...
Tokyo!
So if I go to Tokyo...
I'm moving to Tokyo, everybody!
-WOMAN: Alright!
-MAN: Go get 'em!
PEOPLE (chanting): Tokyo! Tokyo!
(objects clatter)
MATSUDO'S MOM:
Wait, sorry... what are you saying?
I'm saying,
I want to be an actor.
What do you mean "an actor"?
Like Ryotaro Sugi!
Your grandma loves him!
Like that...
Or like Ken Takakura!
One of those guys
who acts on TV or in movies.
Yeah, but you...
Ken Takakura?
How do you even become an actor?
MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: You saw A Star is Born!
Like I said...
I'm moving to Tokyo...
(sighs)
MATSUDO: Okay?
(laughs)
Hold on a second...
First Takeshi says
he won't be a salaryman...
MATSUDO'S MOM:
Don't you go talking crazy too!
TAKESHI: Let him do what he wants.
In that case, maybe I'll go to Hollywood.
Don't... Don't go teasing me.
MATSUDO: I'm serious!
I'm serious too.
That look...
-TAKESHI: What?
-Don't give me that look!
-(Matsudo's Dad screams)
-(Matsudo gasps)
MATSUDO'S MOM: Hey... Hey, what are you...
(Matsudo's Dad grunting)
Futomaki!
MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: Alright, alright...
They ain't ready yet.
Okay, here you go. All yours.
MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: You too.
Here...
If you ain't going to eat,
you can both get the hell out of here!
MATSUDO'S GRANDMA:
Keep your voice down, will you?
The futomaki will wrap
your destiny up tight
and make your wishes come true!
I'm praying that Satoru
becomes the next Robert De Niro.
MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: Grandma too...
will pray for him to be like Ryotaro Sugi!
(chomping)
-MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: Yum.
-MATSUDO: I've had enough.
Of you, Dad. And you, big bro.
And these damn futomaki rolls.
I've had enough.
What did I do, huh?
You're the worst of them all!
If it weren't for that stupid
Specium Ray you shot at me!
Specium Ray? What are you talking about?
Hell if I know!
MATSUDO'S MOM: Wait, Satoru...
Huh?
-Water!
-Alright...
-I'm dying here!
-MATSUDO'S GRANDMA: Huh? Water?
(dramatic music)
Hello? Sugita? It's me, Matsudo.
Satoru Matsudo, you idiot!
I'm coming to Tokyo to be an actor.
SUGITA: Oh! That's great!
So you're ready to start
your race too, huh?
Do you think it's a good idea?
-It's so good. Great! You'll do great!
-WOMAN: What do you mean?
Huh? Sugita?
SUGITA: Hurry... up, okay? Tokyo!
Sugita?
(dramatic music)
(upbeat music playing in the background)
(indistinct background chatter)
TOKYO
JAN. 2000
MATSUDO: January, 2000.
-MATSUDO: Excuse me.
-MAN: Yes?
Do I turn left here to get to Kita Aoyama?
-Kita Aoyama? Yeah, that's right.
-Thanks.
MATSUDO: My former classmate Sugita
really was pursuing a modeling career
and lived in a fancy neighborhood
called Kita Aoyama.
SHOWA APARTMENTS
Matsudo? Matsudo!
-MATSUDO: Oh, Sugita!
-It really is you!
(laughter)
-You really came!
-Look at your hair!
Yeah, I know. Oh, this is Matsudo.
-Matsudo?
-Matsudo.
MATSUDO: Sorry to intrude.
SUGITA: Just leave your bags over there.
So what kind of actor you want to be?
You should be like Gallo! Vincent Gallo!
I'm aiming to be a model like Gallo too.
MATSUDO: Whoa! You are a model!
SUGITA: Listen.
Don't bother looking for a room.
-Huh?
-SUGITA: You can live with us.
-Are you sure?
-You don't mind, right?
-Mind what?
-SUGITA: Forget it.
This place costs 120,000 yen a month.
If we divide by three, that's 40,000 each.
Living in Aoyama for 40,000 yen
is like living in uptown Ashiya
for 20,000. Right?
What are you saying?
So, uh... How are you going
to become an actor?
Hello? Excuse me, but...
I was hoping I could audition for your...
Huh?
Next year?
Right! Of course!
MATSUDO: Goodbye.
(sobs)
MATSUDO:
It was the worst mistake of my life.
Nearly all the theater companies had
filled their roster before the new year.
(panting)
THEATER MAGAZINE
MATSUDO: Auditions in February?
Tokyo Kandenchi.
I knew the name, at least.
If I recall, it was Akira Emoto's company.
The sketches he did
with Ken Shimura weren't half bad.
(sighs)
I decided to go see them perform.
THE SUZUNARI THEATER
(toilet flushes)
(water running)
AKIRA: Ow. That burns.
Come on...
(water stops)
(toilet flushes)
(faint upbeat music playing)
(enticing music)
Now I was feeling the excitement.
Being an understudy to Akira Emoto...
I'M INTERESTED IN BEING A STAGE ACTOR
...doesn't sound bad at all.
Huh? What do you mean "she left"?
Hell if I know what her deal is!
SUGITA:
I was going to break up with her anyway.
MATSUDO:
Whoa, hold on... What about the rent?
You know, half and half.
(hiccups)
Same as before.
That's a relief...
Wait, it's only the same for you!
-MATSUDO: Ow!
-Idiot!
Living in Aoyama for 60,000 yen is like
living in uptown Ashiya for 30,000!
What a deal...
Hold it! No way!
-SUGITA: What are you so excited about?
-My rent's gone up 20,000 yen.
-It's the same as before.
-It's 20,000 more!
-Same as always!
-Only for you!
And so, I ended up having to pay
20,000 yen more in rent than expected.
-SUGITA: You okay with black?
-MATSUDO: Yeah, thanks.
(vending machine clatters)
SUGITA: Cut it out. You look like a hick.
You're at least
going to look for a job, right?
MATSUDO (in English): Thank you.
(in Japanese)
You doing modeling work, today?
This and that.
(exhales)
(machine whirring)
(Matsudo grunting)
SUGITA: Cut it out, already!
You can't go picking up trash here!
(panting)
Whoa! It's an airline ticket!
An airline ticket!
Just throw it in the garbage.
You're grossing me out.
(Matsudo grunts)
I bet I could get money
if I cashed this, right?
Are you out of your mind?
Take it to the police.
-That's a waste!
-Take it to the police, now.
I can't stand it...
when stuff like that isn't returned.
Is that what Tokyoites are like?
Turn it in!
(vehicles revving)
"Will relinquish all rights..."
MATSUDO: "Would like a reward..."
Yeah, I want a reward.
WOULD LIKE A REWARD
(TERMS TO BE DETERMINED)
(snoring)
(phone ringing)
(ringing continues)
-(phone beeps)
-Huh? Hello?
WOMAN (over phone): Hello? Is this...
-Mr. Matsudo?
-Yes.
My name is Yamamura.
I believe you recovered
an airline ticket I lost.
An air...
Oh! Yes!
YAMAMURA: And so...
I'm calling about the reward...
-WAITRESS: Do you have a reservation?
-MATSUDO: Yes.
WAITRESS: This way.
(lively music)
Are you ready to order?
Um...
MATSUDO:
Ice Sep... Separate... Tea Orange.
MATSUDO:
Since I figured she'd foot the bill,
I ordered the most
expensive drink they had.
YAMAMURA: Excuse me...
I'm Yamamura. We spoke on the phone.
Hello. I'm Matsudo.
Thank you so much for...
-No, it was nothing!
-You really saved me.
Um, as a token of my gratitude...
WAITRESS: Feel free to call me
when you're ready to order.
Have a seat.
-A coffee then.
-WAITRESS: Certainly.
(Matsudo chuckles)
YAMAMURA: Anyway, it's not much, but...
Some beer vouchers.
You shouldn't have...
(Matsudo chuckles)
Actually...
ONE FREE BEER
I haven't had a beer in a while,
so I'm really happy.
MATSUDO: That's a lie.
When the words
"beer voucher" left her mouth,
I nearly died from disappointment.
(chuckles)
So, you're from the Kansai region?
Yes. I just moved here, recently.
I see...
Did you move here for work?
Oh, for... acting.
I want to do stage work.
-The stage?
-Yes.
WAITRESS: Sorry to keep you waiting.
Your iced separate tea orange.
(chuckling)
WAITRESS: And your coffee.
Thank you.
(slurping)
If I may...
Do you have anywhere in mind?
-MATSUDO: Excuse me?
-A theater company.
No, nowhere specific...
But I do have an audition scheduled.
With what theater?
-It's called Tokyo Kandenchi.
-Kandenchi?
-Yes.
-You like it?
-Excuse me?
-Their work.
Oh, it's not that I'm a big fan
or anything...
-Why then?
-MATSUDO: Well, Akira Emoto...
Um, Mr. Akira Emoto is...
I see...
(slurping)
If I may...
If you don't mind,
perhaps you could contact me
when you find out the results.
(upbeat percussive music)
I happen to be...
the president of a production company.
I see...
-A production company?
-Yes.
HIROKO YAMAMURA
PRESIDENT OF FMC
MATSUDO: Never heard of them.
What the hell does "FMC" stand for?
They going to give you
a championship belt or something?
MATSUDO: She was a really pretty,
mature woman, though.
You're such an easy mark.
Better not call her back.
I mean, "I have a production company.
Give me a call..."
Sounds way too good to be true.
Here. I'll keep it safe for you.
-Oh, no you don't!
-Come on! You can trust me!
ARITA: Pipe down over there.
Oh, Mr. Arita. This is Matsudo.
An old buddy from my hometown.
He came to Tokyo to become an actor.
Hey, I know! Have him read your palm!
Mr. Arita, read his palm.
Mr. Arita's a fortune teller.
I'm not a fortune teller!
I just tell fortunes.
(jazz music playing)
MATSUDO: Well...
How's it look?
You may have a trip abroad in your future.
What?
In that case, maybe I'll go to Hollywood.
You mean Hollywood?
Well... it might not be as an actor.
ARITA: Palm lines change a lot, too.
(chuckles)
SUGITA: Could you read mine as well?
My last reading sucked, right?
Maybe I've got a successful
modeling future now.
I didn't mean they change in three days.
Please! I'm begging you.
Fine.
-Oh!
-SUGITA: Yeah?
I see a new woman in your life.
Seriously? For real?
That could be good or bad, though.
SUGITA:
What could be bad about a new girlfriend?
MATSUDO: Damn...
I guess I won't get lucky twice.
Whoa!
Don't act that surprised!
Just because I got a new girlfriend...
What? A girlfriend?
-Yoshiko. She's from Osaka.
-Yo!
Yo...
(Sugita laughs)
But this is the first time
that one of Mr. Arita's readings
came true for me.
(Sugita laughs)
-Here. Come on in.
-YOSHIKO: Thanks.
Well...
Okay. This way. Second floor.
Careful on the steps.
They're pretty steep.
SUGITA: There you go...
(footsteps)
(mouthing)
SUGITA: Come on.
(footsteps continue)
MATSUDO:
Sugita often brought Yoshiko over.
And on those days...
(vending machine rattling)
(camera shutter clicking)
-YOSHIKO: You look great!
-SUGITA: How about this?
YOSHIKO: Fab! That was really hot!
(dramatic music)
MATSUDO: Damn, it's cold.
-Tokyo's freezing at night...
-YOSHIKO: Stop. He's home.
SUGITA: Don't worry about him.
He likes to listen.
SUGITA: It's a fetish of his.
(gasps)
-YOSHIKO: Seriously?
-SUGITA: Yoshiko...
(moaning)
MATSUDO: I thought I might go nuts...
(upbeat music)
So I'd go wandering into town.
And I ended up at...
(upbeat music continues)
MATSUDO: Come again!
Welcome!
-Will this be a one-week rental?
-CUSTOMER: Yes.
Your membership card, please.
MATSUDO: I started working part-time
at a video store with midnight hours.
-Thank you very much!
-CUSTOMER: Thanks.
-Welcome!
-FEMALE CLERK: Welcome!
I'll take that for you.
-Hold them firmly with your left hand.
-MATSUDO: Yes, ma'am.
The videos that come in and out
are the most popular.
So once they're returned,
make sure to get them back out
on the floor the soonest
and "master back."
Return...
-Master back.
-MATSUDO: Yes, ma'am!
The floor leader Ms. Yamashita
had worked there for eight years.
Getting returned master tapes
back on the shelves was her life.
Master back. Over there! Master back.
TATSUYA VIDEO RENTAL, REGISTER
WITH STUDENT ID OR HEALTH INSURANCE CARD
Yoshi... Ms. Yoshimira,
what about this one?
Well, my real name's Yoshimura, you know.
But people always say Yoshimira
suits me better.
Anyway, my favorite screenwriter
is Haruhiko Arai.
MATSUDO: The socially awkward Yoshimira
was your textbook otaku girl.
I like him too! W's Tragedy is great.
And Revolver too.
(Yoshimira laughs, mumbles)
I like the scene where Yoshiko Mita
says "Actress! Actress! Actress!"
No, that's not the best line.
It's "Don't hit me in the face."
"I'm an actress, after all."
(chuckles)
Um, looking forward to working with you.
MATSUDO: Tsukamoto wants to be a director
and makes movies as a hobby.
Nakata, who's also from Kansai,
wants to be a comedian.
I think I'll get along well with them.
-Ah, never mind.
-What's that mean?
"Never mind yourself!
Thank you, everyone."
You don't have to go that far.
I'd love to work on a Tsukamoto flick.
I applied to be on the crew
for Bullet Ballet, but I wasn't hired.
(laughs)
Tsukamoto's movies are great!
Oh, not the real Shinya Tsukamoto.
This Tsukamoto.
No more chatting. Master back!
Your dreams won't come true, anyway.
(gentle music)
If you've got time to dream,
then master back. Drop!
MATSUDO: And then, at last...
The day of the audition
for Tokyo Kandenchi.
FEMALE STAFF: Thank you for waiting!
We'll be calling in
groups of eight at a time.
You eight,
please make your way to the stage.
Follow me.
FEMALE STAFF: Please watch your step.
Now, please form a line
over here.
Place your belongings to the side.
CASTING DIRECTOR: Hmm...
Okay, we'll begin with self-introductions.
You may go first.
AKIRA EMOTO
MATSUDO: I felt slightly let down
that Akira Emoto wasn't there.
Everyone...
why the hell would you want
to work in the theater?
Nothing good will come from it.
MATSUDO: Way to kill the mood, dickhead!
Do you know what I went through
just to get here?
I somehow managed to complain...
through my facial expression alone.
Suit yourselves. Let's get started, then.
MALE STAFF: From this point,
we will ask you each to perform.
Imagine you're lost in the mountains.
Night has fallen.
You're scared out of your mind.
But despite the situation,
muster your courage
and take some form of action.
AUDITIONER: I...
still...
have the strength to move forward!
CASTING DIRECTOR 1: Wrong decade.
CASTING DIRECTOR 2:
Next candidate, please.
MATSUDO (clears throat):
Thank you for the opportunity.
Okay, go.
(shouting)
Somebody!
Anybody!
MATSUDO: I'm over here!
I need help!
(sobbing)
Somebody!
Someone please help me!
MATSUDO: Help me!
Help me, please!
CASTING DIRECTOR 2:
Crying won't do you any good.
You're lost on a mountainside... right?
I wonder...
CASTING DIRECTOR 1:
Next candidate, please.
(sobs)
(singing)
♪ The mountains ♪
♪ Are white with snow ♪
♪ The morning sun shines down ♪
♪ As my skis ♪
♪ Carry me ♪
♪ Faster than the wind ♪
MATSUDO: This... is... that moment!
♪ Is it the flight of the powder snow ♪
♪ Or the dancing veil of fog ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ My body now too ♪
♪ Is covered in a blanket of white ♪
Somebody get him a tissue!
(sobbing)
Help me...
-MALE STAFF: Here you go.
-Help me...
Oh, I'm sorry.
(sobbing softly)
(sobbing continues)
Ow, that hurts...
-Emoto, where've you been?
-AKIRA: You know!
CASTING DIRECTOR 1: No, we don't know...
You know!
CASTING DIRECTOR 2:
We can't let you out of our sight.
AKIRA: Sure.
I'll bet he was just hiding back there.
MATSUDO: It felt like fate.
(blows nose)
Being a student of Akira Emoto...
can't be bad!
SEVERAL DAYS LATER
FROM KANDENCHI THEATER COMPANY
PASS
-(exclaiming in excitement)
-You did it!
(laughter)
DID NOT PASS
Damn it!
(sobbing)
SUGITA: Well...
Hey, that hurts!
(grunts)
-Dammit!
-SUGITA: Huh?
-(distant chattering)
-(panting)
(machine whirring)
-SUGITA: Don't do it. I'm warning you.
-Hello?
This is Matsudo! That's right!
The plane ticket guy!
I failed my audition! With Kandenchi!
YAMAMURA: I knew it!
Huh?
YAMAMURA (chuckles):
I knew you had no chance with Kandenchi.
But this is a lucky break for you.
That was not the right place for you.
YAMAMURA:
I'm not saying it's a bad company.
They're all good people, but...
If you were with them...
I doubt you'd ever bloom.
I see...
I actually...
think you have a really nice face.
It's rare these days to see such a pota...
You look like one of those
young soldiers from the old days.
On the sixth floor
of that building there is our office.
What? My apartment's right here!
-YAMAMURA: Really?
-Look!
YAMAMURA: Come on...
I was right. This must be fate.
The door to your destiny is about to open!
Open... sesame!
MATSUDO: Whoa!
(laughing)
YAMAMURA: This is Matsudo.
(mumbling)
Ma...
I'm Matsudo.
Satoru Matsudo.
(female staff clears throat)
MATSUDO: What does FMC stand for, anyway?
Exactly what it looks like.
Fashion Model Company. F-M-C.
Huh?
WOMAN: Okay, that's good.
(lively music playing)
No way...
WOMAN: Use your hips more!
Stretch out that back!
Eh? Seriously? But what am I...
Don't worry. I don't expect that from you.
You want to be an actor, right?
WOMAN: That's good! Keep going!
(laughing)
Can you believe it? Me? A Model?
-(Matsudo laughing)
-(sighs)
MATSUDO: Do you...
Do you do this sort of stuff, too?
(laughs)
Please...
YOSHIKO: Hey! I know this girl!
She's really popular right now!
MATSUDO: What?
Who?
-Never seen her.
-Yes, you have!
It's her! Look!
YOSHIKO:
Haruka Igawa! She's the "soothing" type!
You got yourself
into a really good company!
YOSHIKO: Have him introduce you too!
-It should really be you there!
-YOSHIKO: Come on...
This is...
-Introduce me.
-MATSUDO: Can't do it.
Hold it! You've got to!
I mean it. Introduce me. Please!
MATSUDO:
Listen, will you? It can't be done!
You should have picked up
that ticket yourself!
I wish I had...
I wish I had!
SUGITA: Because of you, I'm constantly...
I'm looking down when I walk lately!
Today too... I just...
(sobbing)
I just don't know what to do anymore!
Don't worry!
Let me be the one who looks down.
You walk with your head high!
Being a hair model is not the end for you!
-A "hair model?" Since when?
-Yoshiko!
-YOSHIKO: A hair model!
-SUGITA: Yoshiko!
-SUGITA: Yoshiko!
-YOSHIKO: Hair model!
-YOSHIKO: Get off me!
-SUGITA: Yoshiko!
YOSHIKO: Hey!
-MATSUDO: A hair model...
-YOSHIKO: Too much!
(cheerful music)
Oh, my...
FEMALE TRAINER:
Looking good. Tighten that stomach!
Your butt, your belly, and your back.
Stretch!
-Go!
-MATSUDO: For some reason,
I mixed in with the models.
That's how my life as an actor began.
WOMAN: No way. Not a chance.
We've talked this whole time
about aiming for glamour!
WOMAN:
Why did you go and find someone like him?
What should we do, then?
WOMAN: Don't give me "what should we do"!
Here we go again.
The boss's weird fixation with theater.
You can't do this to me.
I'm not here to play makeover.
FEMALE TRAINER:
Okay! That's the spirit, Satoru!
PHOTOGRAPHER:
Yeah. That'll do. Let's take the photos.
Okay, here we go.
Um, even if you pose like that,
we'll only see your face.
-Oh, right...
-And your hair will move too.
Oh, that reminds me!
Say...
Do you know a girl
who will do her hair like this?
PHOTOGRAPHER:
I'll pay you extra! Introduce me.
Welcome!
-Good morning.
-Morning.
Thank you, come again.
TABATA
IN TRAINING
Tabata...
Welcome! I'll take those.
Will you be renting for a week?
(mumbling)
-(scanner beeping)
-Okay. Right...
Got it, thank you!
(chuckles)
Next is...
Oh, right.
(panting)
What's all this?
Oh, that? I'm leaving.
What?
What do you mean?
Hey, hold up.
How am I supposed to pay the rent alone?
Wait...
What do you care?
You're the one
who got into a modeling agency.
You're all glowing...
the future's bright and stuff.
Don't tell me that's the reason?
(Matsudo groans)
Sorry about this. But if he stays here
any longer, he'll rot away.
What's up with that hair?
Here. This month's rent.
Hurry and find a nice roommate.
-YOSHIKO: Let's go.
-SUGITA: Right.
MATSUDO: Hey, Sugita!
Hey!
SUGITA: All right...
Throw this away, will you?
MATSUDO: But...
Hey, come on!
(sighs)
(somber music)
YOSHIKO: Enough with the long face!
Uh, right...
(chuckles)
(exhales)
Sugita. What's the point
of quitting high school, then?
I'm going to be a model.
I'm going to make it out
of this stupid apartment complex...
(voice echoing)
-YOSHIKO: Oh!
-What is it?
A five-yen coin.
That's the coin of fate, isn't it?
May we be bound by destiny.
(sobs)
Yoshiko!
(laughter)
YOSHIKO: May we be bound by destiny!
(grunting)
(exhales in slow motion)
EDITOR: It all began when he found
an airline ticket
and years of fateful coincidences
were still ahead.
But that's a story for another time.
(pants)
(phone ringing)
Hello?
MATSUDO'S MOM: Are you doing well?
Same as always. Need something?
You ain't got to talk like that.
I got to go to work.
If it's not important, I'm hanging up.
Wait.
Actually... your brother...
left...
for America.
America?
(plane whirring)
(lively music)
Satoru?
MATSUDO'S MOM: Satoru? Did you hear me?
Hello?
MATSUDO'S MOM: Hello?
(applause and cheers)
(closing theme music)
I'm in love with you!
IS THIS SATORU'S SOULMATE
I'm sure you'll meet someone
who's right for you, Satoru.
You really are awesome, you know.
In your dreams!
I think it's time
you tried some auditions.
I'm your man!
AN AUDITION... HE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE!
You're all a bunch of amateurs!
This isn't a comedy sketch.
It's a tragedy.
Let me have at least
one successful audition.
It's pronounced "Go-ji-ra!"
Auditions, huh?
MATSUDO: Are you sure I have no chance?