I Live In Fear (Ikimono no kiroku) (生きものの記録)

OFFICIAL ENTRY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 1955

A TOHO PRODUCTION

I LIVE IN FEAR

Produced by SOJIRO MOTOKI

Screenplay by SHINOBU HASHIMOTO, HIDEO OGUNI, and AKIRA KUROSAWA

Director of Photography ASAKAZU NAKAI

Production Design by YOSHIRO MURAKI

Music by FUMIO HAYASAKA

Starring

TOSHIRO MIFUNE

TAKASHI SHIMURA MINORU CHIAKI

MASAO SHIMIZU EIKO MIYOSHI

KYOKO AOYAMA HARUKO TOGO

NORIKO SENGOKU AKEMI NEGISHI

YOICHI TACHIKAWA KICHIJIRO UEDA,EIJIRO TONO

YUTAKA SADA KAMATARI FUJIWARA

KEN MITSUDA ATSUSHI WATANABE

KIYOMI MIZUNOYA,GEN SHIMIZU TORANOSUKE OGAWA

Directed by AKIRA KUROSAWA

HARADA DENTAL CLINIC

Father, telephone.

Just a minute. Who is it?

- The court. - Oh, I forgot!

The court? Why?

The dental association nominated him to be a family court arbitrator.

Divorce suits, estate battles -- things like that.

That's tough work.

Actually, he really likes it,

though he grumbles a lot.

I have to be in court at 1:00. Another afternoon lost.

What have I gotten myself into?

TOKYO FAMILY COURT DOMESTIC ADJUDICATION

JUDGE ARAKI

Please stay out here.

He's provided for my daughter a long time --

Yes, but in this case --

We're not asking for ourselves, but there's the baby to consider.

Please just wait here.

Why can't I go in? I'm just as much his son as you.

Enough out of you!

How dare you talk to us like that!

You're just his son-in-law.

She may be illegitimate,

but she's his flesh and blood.

Listen,

I don't see how this case concerns any of you.

- Hold on! - We have a lot at stake!

Listen, I think we all need to discuss it,

but Father's very upset. We need to calm him down first.

Once that's done, everyone can have their say.

Please just wait here.

- You heard me! - But I --

I don't know how you know Father, but you'll have your say as well.

He's in quite a state!

Listen to me:

I'm a court mediator.

I'm terribly sorry.

Please, after you.

- Damn fools! - Father!

I just don't --

Welcome.

I just don't get it.

This is a family matter! Just butt out!

I'm so sorry. Father's always like this.

Ichiro, say something. This is too much.

Father, you see --

Fool!

We discussed it,

and we asked them to --

That's right. We received a formal petition.

Whatever it says, I won't recognize it!

Legally, the petition --

Father, not recognizing it is like not recognizing us as adults.

Tell me,

does this bunch look like adults to you?

These loafers think about nothing but my estate!

Jackasses! - Father!

We understand your feelings, Father. Don't we, dear?

That's right. All Japanese people share your anxiety.

It's just that you're a bit -- Right, Ichiro?

Just say it! I'm insane!

Why don't you listen?

Father!

Mother, please!

Don't make a scene.

Let's all just go home and --

We're here because we can't resolve this ourselves.

We're just making a spectacle of ourselves.

Ichiro...

do something!

This is terrible! You're the eldest!

That's right. You're embarrassing us all.

I'm sorry for the trouble we've caused.

It's all right. This is our job.

Family court exists

precisely so you have a place to bring your troubles.

We're happy to mediate in even the ugliest spousal disputes.

And other disputes too:

between parents, children, and siblings.

Life's full of disputes, and bashing each other's heads solves nothing.

So there's no choice but to enlist the aid of a third party.

People need to speak openly so that resentment doesn't build.

Our job is to listen to those pent-up frustrations.

We listen to both sides and help you think through a solution.

So what do you say?

Why not let everyone have their say and let us help?

Miss Tamiya, let's get started.

Everyone please wait in the hallway.

Father.

Not consulting with me first!

Fools!

We've got our work cut out for us this time.

Thank you for coming.

Allow me to introduce Mr. Hori of the bar association.

This is Dr. Harada.

- Pleased to meet you. - Likewise.

We should examine the petition.

There's not much time, so I'll read it aloud.

I'll skip the names and addresses of the parties.

The aim of the petition is as follows:

"I hereby request that Kiichi Nakajima --"

The older gentleman.

"Be pronounced mentally incompetent

on the grounds that the petitioner,

wife of aforementioned Kiichi Nakajima,

in June of last year discovered that her husband

harbored delusional fears about atomic and hydrogen bombs

and subsequent radioactivity...

...atomic and hydrogen bombs and subsequent radioactivity.

In September, seeking to avoid fallout from the south,

and despite his entire family's opposition,

he purchased 1.6 square kilometers of property in Akita Prefecture

and began to construct thereupon an unusual underground dwelling.

In November, after reading in a newspaper

that fallout would come from the north,

he halted construction.

As a result, the family suffered

the senseless loss

of 7.4 million yen.

Mr. Nakajima's erratic behavior did not end there.

He now claims that the only safe place on earth

is South America.

He has unilaterally set in motion a plan to move all his dependents to Brazil

and has announced that he will invest all his resources

to this end.

Unless he is declared mentally incompetent

and subject to conservatorship,

his life and that of all members of his family

will in all likelihood be brought to ruin.

I therefore submit this petition in request of said intervention."

Listen, what will we do if he's declared incompetent?

It could be real trouble.

He won't be able to use his money as he wishes.

His wife will be appointed legal conservator.

If that happens, my daughter --

Don't worry about Asako. Young people today are very resourceful.

Will the applicant please step inside?

Mother.

Mother, come on.

Please spare me this. You all go in.

Not this again!

You're the petitioner! You have to go!

I just want --

Hurry up and stop wasting time!

Mrs. Toyo Nakajima? Please come in.

I'm Ichiro, the eldest son.

Jiro, second son.

I'm Yoshi, eldest daughter.

I'm Yoshi's husband.

I'm sorry, but only those listed on the petition --

Well, I guess I don't need to be there.

Hey, Susumu.

What do you think about the A-bomb and the H-bomb?

What's this about?

Never mind that.

What do you think? Are you afraid?

Of course I am.

You're really afraid?

Yes, really. Everyone's afraid of them.

Then how can you be so calm?

Well, because...

there's nothing we can do, is there?

Sumiko, let's eat. - Right away.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

But what if someone

was consumed with worry?

He'd have a nervous breakdown. No doubt about it.

You're wrong.

This wasn't a nervous breakdown by any means.

What is this all about?

Today's case?

What happened?

I just can't figure him out.

NAKAJIMA FOUNDRY

Stop!

Okay!

Stop!

Here you are.

Seven tons, 320 kilograms.

That's okay, ma'am.