The Tale of Iya A man in the heart of the mountains
RINA TAKEDA
MIN TANAKA
You're back.
SHIMA ONISHI
I'm off.
Cinematographer YUTAKA AOKI
Sound SHINTARO KAMIJO
Writer/Production Manager MASAYUKI UEDA
Unit Director TOMOHIKO TAKENO
Assistant Director KENJI FUKUSHIMA
Music KEITA KAWABATA
Director TETSUICHIRO TSUTA
Good morning, Granny.
Good morning.
Granny, do you know the name of this flower?
No… I'm afraid not.
Really… It's very pretty though.
It sure is.
More than that, Haruna.
Seems like you're a little late today.
You're right. I'm off then.
Be careful.
Good morning.
To prey upon is an instinct…
Most important here is the nervous system. Using this to the fullest…
they catch what's necessary for survival. Same goes for the Indian kingfisher.
All animals on the planet have similar instincts…
in order to coexist with the environment.
And of course, humans also react to different environments…
depending on the area…
Oops.
That was gramps Shimizu.
His son Hiroshi works in Tokyo. Ya know him?
Huh?
Hiroshi.
No…
Oh well.
But really, be careful in the mountains.
A college kid from Osaka fell in the falls and died the other day.
Oh…
Everyone says he was bewitched by a fox.
What?
Still got them things 'round here. I swear, be careful or you'll be a goner.
Hey boss.
Hey Tamura. Hot ain't it?
Sure is. How's it comin'?
No good today.
What happened?
Those foreigners came and posted these this morning.
Do something about it.
Well… I'll be tough on them next time.
I'm counting on you.
Who's that?
Mr. Kudo. He's from Tokyo.
Hello.
President of Nakaishi Constructions.
From Tokyo, eh? Welcome. How long you staying?
Um…
haven't really decided.
Say, wanna come shooting with us next time?
Boss, people from Tokyo don't do that kind of stuff.
That so…
Shooting?
Wild animals.
They've been damaging property, so we're asked to get rid of them.
Boss is a sharpshooter, you know.
How was Sunday?
Guess what. I shot three deer. And…
we also spotted a monkey.
All of us got ready to shoot it, but…
those guys are quick.
Can't help that.
Well, I'll be going then.
Tell me whenever you want some deer meat.
You also let me know if you need anything.
Thank you.
Another dropout from the city.
Shut your young mouth.
The Michael House
Is Michael around?
Thanks.
Hey!
Come on.
Good work.
Keep it up.
Hi Michael.
How's it going?
Not bad.
Wow, a good-sized watermelon this is.
It's been a good harvest.
What happened with the tunnel construction?
Well… it might not be so easy.
No giving up on this, Mr. Tamura.
You're right. I'll see what I can do.
This is Mr. Kudo who called earlier. He'll be staying a while.
I'm Michael. Nice to meet you.
My name is Kudo. Pleased to meet you.
These vegetables are from our garden. Please try them out.
Thank you.
What brings all these people here?
There're many reasons.
Some read about my activities on the Internet and gathered…
while others just ended up here like you.
May I ask why you came to Iya?
Did you dropout?
Well…
something like that.
I see.
But nowadays, that too is a splendid form of contribution to society.
To not be part of the vicious spiral.
By dropping out for the time being is one option.
I believe that those who gathered here…
are also fighting the vicious spiral of their home land…
by coming here and tending the garden and growing crops.
Stop the construction!
No more construction!
Stop construction!
Sugeoi Elementary shuts down its 127 year history
Sorry, this is all we can give you. Business is not good.
Haruna!
Haruna
There you are. Here again.
Let's go home.
Kotomi!
Kotomi. Quit singing.
Help me serve tea.
Hello Haruna. Welcome.
Hello.
I'm sorry I can't treat you much. Today's really busy.
Make yourself at home.
Why do they have to hold a meeting during this busy season.
I don't mean to deny your people's line of work.
My family's been digging tunnels for three generations!
You want me to starve?
He's right!
You're misunderstanding.
What I want to say is, you can't go about doing anything…
just for your own sake of convenience, without considering the consequences.
In actuality, extreme forestation in the past…
has got Iya's mountains dying.
And because of that…
animals are attacking the fields. Is that not right?
What we really need to do now…
is to decide whether this construction is truly necessary.
The question is who's going to make that decision.
Us natives living here? Or you people who came from the outside.
Are we gonna ask the monkeys?
Michael, why don't you relax.
Everyone sit. Come on, take a seat.
Hi Akira.
Haruna, you were here too?
What're you doing?
That in there.
You going home now?
Yep.
What about you?
I think I'm done here.
Can you take me somewhere by car then?
Like where?
The mall!
That's far.
Well, OK.
Yes! Let's go Haruna.
I have to go home.
Come on.
But… I need to prepare supper for Grandpa.
That so.
- Hurry up. - OK, OK.
You sure you don't wanna come?
You know what? Someone's gonna be giving me a scooter.
You can have it.
That should help you a little getting to school.
See you tomorrow, Haruna.
See you.
Hi Granny.
You're back. Come here, Haruna.
Here's some soba rice. Take some with you.
Thank you always.
Your Grandpa just passed by a while ago too.
Really?
I'll be going then.
Grandpa!
I'm back.
Granny gave us some soba rice.
Akira said he'll give me a motorcycle.
Then I could carry the rice up for you.
Thank you.
This is all we have but…
I appreciate it.
Here, Grandpa.
How is it? Pretty good?
Let's eat.
I'll walk you down tomorrow morning.
Thank you for the food.
Grandpa, I'm going to rinse your back.
Push harder!
Don't stop. Come on, push!
There's one! Stop the car.
Got it.
Will you be alright?
Thank you so much for helping out the whole day.
My pleasure. I'm the one to thank you for your kindness.
This place used to be farmland also.
But nobody's been able to take care of it, so now it's become fallow.
Akira.
I was just heading up to drop you some deer meat.
Look. This is the scooter I was talking about.
Hi.
You from the other day.
What're you doing?
Nothing… just helping Haruna.
Helping Haruna?
This is the front brake… and rear brake. Blinkers here, and…
Give it a go.
Go gradually. Come on, once more.
Try and give it some speed!
So… what were you doing with Haruna?
Like I said… nothing, really.
I'm amazed anyone's living in those mountains.
Especially a young girl like her.
Yep. Well… she's the "Princess MONONOKE" of Iya.
I heard Grandpa saved her from the snowy mountains.
Then she's…
Not related.
Does she know that?
Don't worry. She knows.
Anyway, how long you plan to be here?
When you gonna leave?
I'll be here for a while… I think.
For what?
I'm planning…
to start a farm or something.
I'll be honest with you.
I don't like guys like you.
Looking down on us country people.
I don't mean to be…
Thinking country life's easier than the city.
I never said that.
"I never said that."
Farm all you want, but don't go starving to death in our backyard.
Good morning. I'll be using some of your water again.
Good morning.
We Oppose Construction! Nature's Pissed! Protect Iya's Landscape!
This is bit of a problem. What'd you say?
Um… suspend construction, I guess.
For how long?
Until their movement dies down, I suppose.
We don't have time for that.
Michael.
I understand your concern but this is overdoing it.
Hold it! Wait!
Stop him!
After the narrator speaks, ring the gong.
Three times.
Ladies, let's do that together.
Who?
I met him in town.
A man?
Yep.
What did he say?
He wants to hang out next Sunday.
Kotomi, did you decide yet?
Well… sort of.
What?
I'm… going to Tokyo.
Tokyo!?
For college?
I'm not sure. But I'm definitely going. That's for sure.
Wow, I see…
What about you?
Leaving Iya right?
But…
Grandpa's going to be alone if I leave.
Then you're going to find a job here?
I don't know yet.
The teacher's suggesting I go to college.
Don't you want to leave that house?
Well…
You sure?
And marriage?
Probably not.
Seriously?
But then… What're you going to do after Grandpa dies?
Hey!
Sorry… I was just wondering.
I'm sorry.
I'm home.
Sorry I was late.
Grandpa…
did you eat supper?
What happened there?
Let me see your back.
Grandpa!
Moss?
Granny.
Granny?
Granny…
Is this your son's?
Is he coming back for New Years?
No idea.
I see.
I bet you want to see your great-grandchildren too.
Granny…
What's the matter?
Did you have a fight with Grandpa?
No…
But…
he's acting strange these days.
You see, Haruna. You grew up to be a big girl now…
He's probably concerned about many things.
Are you saying…
he wants me to leave the house?
I'm not saying that. But you know, sooner or later…
What did Grandpa tell you?
I don't know.
Grandpa never says anything.
He's like a tree, or some rock.
That's very true of him.
He always was that person.
Rather than being with the rest of us…
he was a person who truly loved being in the mountains.
Even when everybody came down to live in the village…
Grandpa stayed in the mountains all by himself.
Don't worry.
Grandpa will never do anything to abandon you.
Yo.
This enough?
Thank you.
Here.
Got you this too.
Here.
What happened to that bruise?
Huh? Nothing… Just something with my dad.
So… I bet you're getting tired of working in the fields.
What?
No, not at all.
It's actually just starting to get fun.
Is that so.
Good for you then.
You free tomorrow?
Well… I suppose.
Gonna go shooting with my dad. Wanna come?
No… I don't have a gun. Plus, I'm not interested.
All you have to do is stand by and watch.
Plus, you ought to see for yourself…
who wrecked your garden.
Here's some sake.
Good idea. It'll keep us warm.
I reckon it's over there.
I say over here by the stream.
This area's been badly damaged also.
I'll herd it in from that side. You shoot it.
Come on, hide by that tree.
Mr. Kudo.
That tunnel… it's gonna be completed soon.
Then I'm thinking of…
quitting my job as a laborer and starting a store down in town.
Wanna join me?
What?
Your family business?
No choice but to leave, is there.
And a successor?
Somebody will take over.
What did your dad say?
What's my dad got to do with it.
It's my life.
I guess you're right.
But does Haruna and everyone else know?
I'm planning on bringing Haruna with me.
What has she said about that?
Well… that's yet to be talked about.
Dammit!
Lucky bastard.
Lousy shot.
Whatever.
Here, bring the deer over.
What?
Come on.
Hurry up.
Haruhime.
Kunimori.
I'm exhausted. I must rest for some time.
When I wake from my sleep, and spring arrives…
I wish to chase butterflies and dragonflies again.
Then pick some mulberries…
go down to Uji River…
set float a boat…
and run around in the mountains with all of you.
Kunimori.
We shall make this land the city capital.
In response to the earnest wishes of the villagers…
and gracious efforts made by all of us here today…
we are pleased to announce the completion of Kyojo Tunnel.
By improving social infrastructure…
we hope to aid in any inconveniences the villagers have had.
We also believe tourists…
Now for the ribbon cutting ceremony…
… and cut.
Congratulations.
What do you plan to do with the grave?
It's a hassle to come here every year.
Uh-huh…
We can do a cremation and buy a space in Osaka. Then we can pay a visit anytime.
Uh-huh…
The others have already returned to their country.
In the end…
we're just outsiders.
It's sad…
but that doesn't mean we lost, in any way.
They too, will have to go on…
living their lives, making amends to the mountains.
What will you do…
after returning home?
No different from now.
Well then…
take care.
You too, Michael.
Mr. Kudo…
don't give up.
Grandpa, can you get up?
Is it too cold?
That's an automatic bottle assorter.
Over here is where we dump the materials.
And over there's a machine to make styrofoam.
1,250 yen.
I still have this.
Kotomi!
What are you thinking!
Bye, Haruna!
Kotomi!
Grandpa!
Grandpa, what are you doing! Get back inside.
Grandpa!
I'm going now.
What the…
Hello!
Excuse me!
I'm a person! Not an animal!
It never was that easy.
What?
I used to think…
this was the ideal human lifestyle, back when I lived in Tokyo.
I guess…
I was just conceited.
However much I cultivate the fields all by myself in the countryside…
the world keeps changing…
and people seem to keep degenerating.
When I came to Iya…
and met Grandpa the first time…
I was…
really excited, but…
I'll be going now.
But it's dark out, and a snowstorm too.
I know.
But I'm going.
Mr. Kudo!
Please take this with you.
Thank you.
Man…
I want to eat ramen.
Grandpa.
So warm…
You know, Grandpa…
I've always wanted to ask something.
Why did you raise me?
If I wasn't around…
you would have been able to live quietly.
It makes me think these days…
that…
I should have never come here.
Grandpa…
can I…
be with you all the time?
Even when I turn twenty…
even when I grow old…
can I stay here with you forever?
Grandpa.
Grandpa?
Grandpa!
Hand me a drink.
It's a really beautiful place.
The water is still pure.
Yeah.
Water is the first to get contaminated with humans around.
Yes.
Then the soil gets contaminated, then the plants and animals…
which then contaminates people.
A vicious spiral.
They disgust me.
Thinking of themselves not to be contaminated.
Look out!
Grandpa!
Morning.
We're ready.
150… 141…
134…
It's going down.
Going down. Getting cleaner.
Still going down.
We should see fireflies flying around soon enough.
Perhaps alighting on that leaf there.
And this is a Bacterian.
This is.
It's not anything dirty.
Rather, it makes the rivers clean.
Is it edible? I doubt it.
Sure, you can eat it.
Bacterian!
Cheers!
Congratulations!
Now, what gets pretty when this is put inside?
Guess what…
Our dear doctor.
Our dear doctor. That's correct.
And what's this doing here? I wonder…
who's it is.
That would be mine!
Bacterian!
How many years do you think
I've been researching this stuff?
I'm glad it worked out.
Don't you?
You okay?
Where's Dr. Amamiya?
Don't know.
I'm so sorry.
I think I'm a little drunk.
You don't have to worry.
Because these kids will make it…
all nice and clean.
Eat all you want…
… grow big and healthy.
Make lots of babies.
They're so adorable.
Just like my cute Haruna.
I know they're not coming back.
No belongings or articles of memorabilia have been found either.
What's this?
Your friend from home?
She had a baby?
So you're going back?
When…
I'm making dinner…
It feels like they're still in the living room.
But the realization strikes when I turn and look to see that no one's there.
You work tomorrow?
Take a day off. Let's go on a date.
I know you're busy and all but let's go out. Come on.
Man, you're boring.
Damn, I don't wanna go to work!
Wish I could live in the country.
Crap.
Reports estimate the disaster has left 30,000 people with families missing.
Those left behind are worried…
they will forget about their loved ones with the passing of time.
See you later, OK?
They say there was pressure from the water and sewage bureau.
Why?
Cuz it takes their jobs away.
Seriously? Poor Dr. Amamiya.
But I heard she secretly got settling money from the company.
Mr. Nino said so.
Makes me lose motivation.
Can't help it.
You know, there's some people who'll be troubled because of my creation.
Such a nice day.
You know, Haruna.
What we're doing…
doesn't mean anything to those people.
Like that old lady doing her laundry.
The trains keep running…
Right?
Everyone's perfectly happy.
… we'd now like to call our air crew.
Mr. Okubo. Mr. Okubo. Can you hear us?
Yes. I'm here above Tokyo bay. Do you see this?
From the mouth of Sumida River, down toward the ocean…
the water is faintly glowing like a firefly.
This mysterious light is traveling at approx. 10 meters/min, spreading…
Kotomi.
Hurry up now. It's your day.
I know. More than that, look Mom.
Haruna? Wow, it's been a long time hasn't it.
You came back for today?
Is that so. How nice of you.
Kotomi, everyone's waiting.
You too, Haruna.
It's okay. You're back home.
Come on, chop chop.
What're you doing now?
Even Kotomi's come back.
This is my husband.
Have a good long relationship.
… Grandpa.
Directed by TETSUICHIRO TSUTA