The Balloon

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A NIKKATSU PRODUCTION

THE BALLOON:

Based on the Novel by

JIRO OSARAGI.

Produced by TAKESHI YAMAMOTO.

Screenplay by YUZO KAWASHIMA

SHOHEI IMAMURA.

Cinematography by

KURATARO TAKAMURA.

Lighting by MITSUO ONISHI

Sound by FUMIO HASHIMOTO.

Production Design by

KIMIHIKO NAKAMURA.

Music by TOSHIRO MAYUZUMI

Editing by TADASHI NAKAMURA.

Starring.

MASAYUKI MORI TATSUYA MIHASHI

MIE KITAHARA, SACHIKO HIDARI

IZUMI ASHIKAWA, MICHIYO ARATAMA

HIROSHI NIHON'YANAGI

SHINSUKE MAKI, YUMI TAKANO

YOKO BENISAWA:

Directed by YUZO KAWASHIMA.

HARUKI MURAKAMI:

You should've worn

mourning attire.

A suit is just fine.

It's not impolite.

I beg to differ.

Times have changed.

We needn't get hung up on appearances.

Tsuzuki is here.

Masataka Tsuzuki?

He always was well dressed.

Please excuse me.

Mr. Murakami.

- Madam.

- It's been too long.

It must be 6 or 7 years

since we last met.

Forgive my long absence.

I had just been repatriated from Manila

and was having a hard time,

then I caused you all that trouble

and left.

I meant to pay you a visit,

but I had cold feet.

You look well.

You too.

You haven't changed a bit.

My father's death is a great loss.

Of the disciples he left behind,

you're the only one remaining.

Actually, I stopped painting

a long time ago.

That's right.

Your camera company has been

a big success.

Everyone tells me so.

And what about you?

It's only meant to be temporary.

This is what I do.

A nightclub?

A bit seedy, I know.

Are the children well?

Keikichi has graduated?

He's the sales manager

at my husband's company.

A young executive.

You must be pleased.

It's cold.

I smell gas.

Kumiko?

What about the beer?

- You're staying?

- No.

Sorry, I won't need it.

I'll leave the paper here then.

Thank you.

I got that beer just for you.

I have to be back at work

by 4:
30.

Stop that, it tickles.

I'll be late.

Just stay like this

a little longer.

Come, I'll be late.

That's not nice.

- You like fragile things.

- Don't worry, just leave it.

- This month's money.

- Thank you.

Will you take me out tonight?

I'll wait for you at work.

I have a meeting.

You don't take me

anywhere these days.

I'll come by your bar,

as soon as I can.

TOYO OPTICS:

Keikichi, what are you doing?

Here it is.

I couldn't find the "SL" print.

Sort the rest.

You need to have that ready

before the meeting.

You're leaving for Kansai tonight?

Yes, another trip.

You need this too.

Why not have someone else go

for a change?

It's just my nature.

I prefer to do it myself,

while I still can.

This plan you're putting forward...

I think it will meet stiff resistance.

The wage hike?

What are you playing at?

5% more than the union demanded.

Some of us don't like it.

I suppose our competitors will object.

Of course they will.

They're not the opponent.

We have ourselves to overcome.

I try to do

what I believe is right.

CONFERENCE ROOM:

Miss Kumiko?

You have a customer.

I'll win this time.

How many cards?

Seven.

Over there.

Welcome.

So, you're Kumiko!

Do you know who I am?

They say I don't look like him.

Like who?

My brother, Keikichi Murakami.

Surprised?

Well, yes...

I wanted to see how pretty

this Kumiko was.

I've heard a bit about you

from my brother.

- Did he come today?

- No, not yet.

Will you have something?

Maybe I will try some beer.

Do you drink?

No, but I think you have to

order alcohol in this sort of bar.

No, you don't have to.

How about a soft drink?

A soft drink, please.

Do you often come to

this sort of place?

No. It's my first time.

You really don't look like

your brother at all.

Yes, everyone says so.

I was a sickly child

and I'm a little slow.

But Keikichi is an honors student

and an athlete.

I love him.

Your name is Tamako?

Yes, with the character for "pearl."

It's Mr. Murakami.

Good evening, sir.

Is Mr. Tsuzuki here?

It's Murakami.

I will check.

It's full of foreigners.

If that sister of mine comes to

your bar again, send her away.

Are you angry?

She had polio when she was a kid.

She's a little weak in the head.

She said so herself.

She's sweet.

That singer is Japanese, isn't she?

I thought it was a foreigner.

Are you still doing nagauta?

I've neglected it.

You think I should continue?

You've been doing it

since you were a kid.

I was raised in Shitamachi -

it was only fitting.

I had the idea it was

your husband's favorite style.

Don't say that.

I don't want to think about it.

He died in the war -

in some unthinkably

far away place.

Please, let's not ruin

such a nice evening.

I won't mention it again.

He'd like you to

come to his room.

Mr. Tsuzuki?

Your companion as well.

Good to see you.

Thanks for coming.

Have a seat.

There's a man in the hall

that I'm looking to avoid.

Let me introduce you.

This is Keikichi Murakami -

he makes cameras.

And this is his friend.

This is Mikiko Mikihara,

our lady of the chanson.

"Our lady" is a bit much.

I'm not famous yet.

I'm getting Mr. Tsuzuki

to promote me.

We saw your performance.

I'm honored.

Well, let's toast.

Please sit down.

My father was a painter,

and Keikichi's father was

one of his pupils.

When he was young

many hailed him as a prodigy.

He was what

we might call "avant-garde."

He would put out new works

for each exhibition.

They set the art world on fire.

By the time my memories start,

he didn't paint anymore.

Why did he stop?

He's strange like that.

Anyway, I'm glad he stopped.

You must take after your mother.

What's this?

You came all the way here

to see me off?

Where's your mother?

She probably

went to see Mr. Shinjo.

Is Keikichi out late again?

Papa...

Would it be bad

if I quit school?

Why do you want to do that?

There's no point.

It just makes me miserable,

and I don't learn a thing.

If you really feel that way...

you can quit.

Really?

But...

what would Mom say?

Let's think it over.

If you hate it, you can quit.

So you really came here

to say that?

I just suddenly wanted

to see you off.

I go to Osaka and Kobe

every month.

If I went home

I'd be there all alone.

That's why I suddenly

wanted to see you.

Would those not traveling

please step behind the white line.

Go home. It would be bad

if you catch cold.

Let's shake hands.

Take care!

Go on home.

Take care! Bye bye!

In spite of it all,

we never forgot to sing.

Aren't there any other places

where I can sing?

I'll think about it.

I have to earn a living.

It's not enough.

You could marry.

How about the young man

we met earlier?

How dare you!

MASTER DIRECTOR KON ICHIKAWA

LAYS IT ALL ON THE LINE

He's got money.

- Are you for real?

- I'm being generous.

We can't go on as we are.

We need money to promote you,

don't we?

The world we inhabit

isn't the easygoing world of yesteryear.

When you see an opportunity,

you seize it.

Can't we talk about dreams,

at least tonight?

It's enough to dream at night.

Waking dreams had better

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