Dodes'ka-den (1970)

Kamatari Fujiwara: Suicidal Old Man

Photos 

Quotes 

• Suicidal Old Man : [Haltingly, opening up to Mr. Tanba, who patiently listens to him]  I'm fed up with everything now... Life is nothing but pain to me. When I get up in the morning and get ready for breakfast... thinking I have to do everything all over again, I just lose my strength. Food doesn't taste good. I lose my appetite.

  Suicidal Old Man : [continues, as Mr. Tanba listens silently]  When I go to the public bath, I'm disgusted to see myself in the mirror. Naked, I look really disgusting and filthy. I can't stand myself. At this point... the only thing I want... is to die quickly. I want to disappear from this world.

  Mr. Tanba : [Mr. Tanba gets up and starts rummaging for some items, and prepares a powder which he gives to the man]  This powder is used in engraving. It's a very strong poison, not sold to the public. You'll die without pain an hour after taking it. If you really want to die, take it.

  Suicidal Old Man : [the suicidal man eagerly takes the powder and pours all of it in his mouth, then drinks it down with water]  Thank you. It's very kind of you. Goodbye.

• Suicidal Old Man : I used to run a kimono shop. I had a wife and two sons. I had five employees and a servant. I even had two mistresses and lived in luxury. But, after my sons were called up for military service and were killed at the China Front, I lost interest in business. My wife fell sick and died six months later. My house was burnt during an air raid and I lost everything. I had to let my mistresses go. I earned my living by peddling toys. Still, my dead wife and sons appear in my dreams and talk to me every night. They laugh and talk as if they were alive.

  Mr. Tanba : You must be happy during those times.

  Suicidal Old Man : Yes, I am.

  Mr. Tanba : You feel that happiness because you live your life. In other words, they are alive as long as you are alive. Is it all right to kill them by killing yourself?