Young Yakuza (2007) Movie Script
When I started this film,
there were 86 301 Yakuzas in Japan,
spread over a number
of crime syndicates.
Yakuza is a
professional gambling word.
Literally ya-ku-za means
eight-nine-three.
So, how is your son
Naoki?
At the moment, he's at home.
But I did want to
speak to you about him.
I thought so.
In trouble again?
He's always in trouble.
The police keep calling.
I don't know what to do.
He doesn't even have a job?
No, he does nothing all day.
Here's what I propose...
You may think it odd but,
you could send him to the boss.
He's a yakuza, no?
Yes, he is.
No, I don't want that.
If it were another
yakuza clan,
I would never have
suggested it.
But everyone knows
Kumagai here.
We've all known him forever,
we know how he climbed
the ladder to get where he is.
You can't go wrong.
But I could never admit
it to my parents,
or the people I know.
The yakuza world
can be a place
where he can learn
good manners and perseverance.
Then he can decide
if he wants to be a yakuza.
He's no longer a child.
He can decide himself
what he wants for his future.
In any case, this apprenticeship
will only last a year.
It goes by quickly.
I would never do anything
without your permission.
But if you wish,
I will speak to your son.
- I'll go.
- Fine.
May we come in?
Please excuse me.
This is Naoki, Mrs. Watanabe's son.
Delighted.
My name is Watanabe.
Sit down.
He told me about you.
You know your mother, you and I,
are all from the same neighbourhood.
It's as if we were
all the same family.
But tell me,
what do you think of our milieu?
To be honest...
I don't really know any yakuzas.
I have friends who are familiar
with yakuzas from films or books.
But I'm not really.
Until now, I know
nothing about the milieu.
At the moment,
I don't have a steady job.
I do nothing all day.
I spoke with M. Imai
who said this was
a good chance...
He advised me to come here
as an apprentice.
I was just thinking
that it was time to change.
I couldn't just go on
doing nothing.
So, I thought that this was
a good opportunity for me.
During your apprenticeship,
you will see many things.
I am warning you,
they will not all be positive.
Human relations are
not always easy.
Of course,
it is an apprenticeship,
and your first experience.
And everything you see,
what you feel,
every experience you have...
whether it is good or bad,
can be a lesson.
What you deem to be good,
you will take on board,
and what you deem to be bad,
you will reject.
You will be your own judge.
Trust your instinct.
Good luck.
By the way, how old are you?
And that haircut is fashionable,
for young men of your age?
No, not really.
But I didn't have time
to get a haircut.
If you want to be
an apprentice here,
you need to be free to move.
You can't have messy hair.
You need to have short hair
to be able to react immediately.
Go to the barber tomorrow,
get your hair cut.
- Is that clear?
- Yes.
We will leave you now.
Goodbye.
- Good luck.
- Thank you very much.
- How old are you?
- 20 years old.
You're so lucky!
- You think?
- Yes.
At 20, I was
in a motorcycle gang.
Is that so?
What about you?
- Yes, when I was 16.
- Really?
- Just for a day.
- One day? What put you off?
In fact, what happened was...
my friends absolutely
wanted me to join.
They kept bugging me...
I was going to say yes.
But then they wanted me
to curl my hair.
A perm?
I didn't want to.
I said if that was the condition,
I would quit.
And you left after one day?
Get changed. You can't wear
your own clothes anymore.
You wear this uniform.
You can throw out the rest.
"Please excuse me."
You have to bow low down.
Your arms by your sides,
and really mean what you say.
"Please excuse me."
Again.
Yes, not too bad.
But really mean what you say.
When you're leaving you say:
"Excuse the interruption."
Yes, that's it.
In the morning, when the boss arrives:
"Good morning, boss."
"Good morning, boss."
In here, are the boss's
cups and glasses.
- All these?
- Yes, this is all for the boss.
Here, are the guest glasses,
and here,
the H.Q. chief's things.
Here, are the guest cups,
and here, are our ones.
And all the dishes above,
belong to the boss.
The shibori below right
are the boss's.
Those are for the deputy chief,
those for the H.Q. chief.
Here, there are less than usual.
They're for the guests.
That's the boss's kettle.
This one is for us.
- Be very careful.
- OK.
That's the boss's fridge.
Everything in there,
is for the boss.
Can you get me a coaster?
Is there a special way
of folding the shibori?
Yes.
We'll go in together.
"Please excuse me."
First,
put down the shibori.
The name should be on this side.
- The name on the cup?
- Yes, facing him.
You place the shibori on the right.
Then you say:
"Excuse the interruption."
- How old are you?
- 26 years old.
I'm only 20.
You look older.
I get that a lot.
You look much older.
Really?
That old?
- Have I met everyone yet?
- Not yet.
It's stressful.
At the start, that's normal.
It's stressful.
Are there any scary ones?
Scary ones?
No, I don't think so.
Really?
You'd think in a place like this,
there would be.
- Really...
- You're sure?
It happens in the dirty city
The concrete jungle
You wander, bad boy solitaire
Full of dreams
You land in Tokyo
In a state
You understand nothing
Freezing wind whips your cheeks
In this shitty town
You show your teeth
You fight your demons
At the crossroads, you must choose
Life or death
All or nothing
Your life on the line
No room for error
In this concrete valley
You're petrified
You lose your bet
Your dreams collapse
It's a dead end
Totally lost
Left, right?
No one to help
Dead or Alive
Always
Wandering
With no end
Dead or Alive
In this labyrinth
Follow your path to get there...
Companies and businesses
use these stickers.
"No entry
for criminal organisations."
The police give them out.
The police bring together
business owners and managers.
They're doing it everywhere.
They organise meetings
in rented halls,
or in their offices...
Anyway, it doesn't matter...
In these meetings,
the police...
give out information...
on the clans operating
in such and such a zone.
In addition...
the police give instructions
to businesses.
They tell them
not to give in
to the demands
of criminal organisations.
I think they give people
lots of information
they wouldn't normally have.
The first time I saw that,
I was raging.
I thought:
"Are they trying to abolish us?"
Now, I don't even
notice it anymore.
They made these stickers,
they stick them up
and won't let us in.
Let them!
We'll find other ways
of getting by.
The first time I came
to this neighbourhood,
I must have been 9 years old.
This shopping mall
is the cheapest
in all of Shinagawa.
At the time,
I lived in Oimachi with my family.
I remember
we would come here by train
to do our shopping.
I would never have thought
that years later,
I would be the boss here.
Your tea.
Excuse the interruption.
Given his position
in relation to mine,
he can't come to see me
to talk about his future.
I must make the first move.
I'll choose the right time.
It doesn't seem like it,
but when I'm in the office,
I watch the young guys myself.
It's stinging my eyes!
Ikeda-san, you have a tattoo?
Yes.
What's it like?
Like that?
No, mine isn't finished.
Only the outline.
It's crazy to be so tattooed.
It's cool.
It's really cool.
- Do they mean something?
- Yes.
Everyone here has a tattoo?
Yes, quite a few.
Do you want
a tattoo as well?
I don't know yet.
I have a small one.
- A western one?
- Yes, a western one.
Please excuse me.
That will be all.
That's fine.
According to my philosophy
and that of my clan,
there's no point
in forcing someone.
If a young guy wants to leave,
it means he has his
own reasons, of course.
Sometimes, I ask them
for an explanation, but not always.
It depends on the person.
Each time is different.
In fact, it depends
on his behaviour.
If it's a young guy who has
really tried hard,
who made a real effort,
I ask him why he wants to leave.
If he's sure, I accept.
But in that case,
there are rules to be respected.
I give him the conditions
and he must disappear.
He must never use the clan's name,
and never say he was in the clan.
It depends on the clan
but I think there's no point
in making them stay.
That's my philosophy
and I don't intend to change.
Before, the custom was to
cut off their little finger.
But if a yakuza
did that today,
he wouldn't be able to
rejoin normal society.
If he's missing a finger,
he will have problems
finding a job.
I do not follow this practice.
But I order the man to
forget everything he has seen.
Even to forget the name Kumagai.
Not to regret his choice.
And never to look back.
If he is ready to accept
the consequences, he can leave.
He must never pronounce
one syllable of our name.
And leave the neighbourhood.
Those are the rules to be respected.
Compared to before,
I think it's easier.
Head into town
Tokyo, capital
Concrete walls bar your way
Jump straight in
Follow your path
Don't stop
Yo mother fuckin' Tokyo
To the end of the world
To the end of life
Let's go...
Hello everyone.
We'll start with
the end of year clean-up.
To begin the New Year cleanly,
and enable our boss
and our executives
to work well,
I will ask that you work hard
and be effective.
Tomaru, Katsuhisa and Naoki,
do the boss's office.
Someya, Shiraishi, Harada and Takagi,
do the living room.
Shimoda, Nakahara and Kobayashi,
do the cadet's room and the kitchen.
I want everything clean.
Hey, Kosuke,
do you have posters at home?
Before yes, but not anymore.
That's not really a poster...
But usually,
you put up posters of stars.
It's unusual to put
a poster of yourself on the wall.
Well, I think so...
But in the offices of the other clans,
they are even bigger.
Would you like
to be like him?
Become like him...
Kumagai-gumi New Year's party
I am Takashima.
Next year,
I will try to be the best driver.
I am Sato.
Next year I will work hard.
I am Someya.
I will endeavour to take
the honourable path.
You may talk among yourselves.
I now hand you over
to M. Hideyuki Ishii of Kumagai-gumi.
It's been a busy year,
and we thank the boss warmly
for the precious time
he has given us.
We will do three rounds of applause.
One of my men who was once
my secretary was in court.
The judge asked his profession,
and he answered yakuza.
He was asked:
"What does that mean?"
The term "yakuza"
exists in the dictionary,
but it is not listed
as a profession, I think.
I was happy
that my young guy said that.
In general, in court,
we say we have no profession,
or that we are self-employed.
But when we say that, we get:
"But aren't you a yakuza?"
Why bother saving face?
It's no better to be
unemployed or self-employed.
In that case,
you might as well tell the court
proudly: "I'm a yakuza."
"I am a yakuza by trade."
It's quite manly, no?
The judge asked him: "What does
the yakuza profession involve?"
"Proving one's manhood."
"You can do that in other jobs",
said the judge.
I thought
it was a good answer.
Whatever our job.
But I would have liked to know
how he proves his manhood.
Our kind ignores the law,
or more precisely,
we turn our backs on it.
We watch society from the shadows.
Today, yakuzas
need to think about how
they can go on doing what they do.
We yakuzas
are now also involved
in legal activities.
It has become more and more common
in our milieu.
Despite this, we are still living
in a parallel world,
a world of shadows.
And that world...
is still run by its own laws.
Even if national laws are getting
stricter and stricter,
the rules of our society
still exist.
There is an official society,
and then, there's a line.
From the start of this film,
we agreed
that we wouldn't show or mention
what happens
on the other side of that line.
I wish to begin the year
with a few words.
Year 18 of the Heisei era
begins today.
The situation is not good
and we have to admit
that things are getting
harder every year.
But we, the members of
the Kumagai-gumi clan
are convinced that
united we stand.
We will all give our
very best.
We rely on your advice
and your encouragement.
To finish up, let me wish you
the very best for the New Year.
January 1st,
year 18 of the Heisei clan.
New Year's greetings.
Chiyozo Ishii.
We rely on your goodness.
I'm counting on all of you
to take care of your health
and to do your best.
Come here!
From Aniki.
I'm counting on you.
Now the service men.
Thank you.
Excuse the interruption.
Outlook average
You're not eating
my New Year dishes?
- Pass the meat.
- You eat meat all year!
Eat the sweet beans instead.
So?
- So?
- What?
- Are you happy with your life?
- Pfff.
"Pfff"?
- Nothing new.
- What do you do all day?
Housework.
What do you mean, housework?
Where do you clean?
What a question!
Where do you think?
You never cleaned here!
Well sometimes, at night.
I have no choice.
Are you any good?
I do the shopping.
I buy the food...
for the meals.
You cook?
What do you cook?
I don't do the main course.
I couldn't.
You've never cooked,
except for frying a few vegetables...
I cut my finger,
the other day.
- How?
- Cutting leeks.
- Can you do that?
- No.
To the right, the one with the gun.
- The old bald guy?
- That's me.
Shhh, be quiet!
How cool!
- You really like Sho Aikawa?
- I love him.
- Really?
- I'm crazy about him.
- I prefer Riki Takeuchi.
- Oh no!
In yakuza movies,
there are never any office scenes.
Just one, in general.
What's a scene?
It's too hard to explain.
You know, there's often a scene
with someone who visits the boss.
But we don't see the yakuzas'
daily life.
Well, I don't watch
many yakuza films.
I do.
What do you think?
It's true, you're right.
The action all happens outside...
Does it work?
Naoki, speak to check.
Hello?
Can you hear me?
Yes.
- So it's OK?
- Yes.
Thank you.
It's OK.
You all have one?
Yes, all the security guys.
- You too, one day, you'll have one.
- Really?
- I'm off.
- Bye.
When we shot the scene
at the Shinto sanctuary,
people thought I was an actor.
They asked for autographs.
I signed my name.
You know, Mum, it would be good
if we saw your face
at the end of the film.
Young people who join our milieu
are often in need of love.
More than a newfather,
what they look for
in people like me...
with whom they have no
family ties,
is what they didn't get from
their natural parents.
For them, we are
like substitution parents.
And in exchange for our affection,
the love we provide,
a feeling of devotion is created
that we call "giri".
Hello, boss.
The Godfather died on May 29th.
As a personal gesture,
I visit his grave,
on the 29th of each month.
This is a souvenir of the Godfather.
It belonged to him.
The Godfather was born...
in the year of the dragon.
He had a dragon motif
embroidered
on this sweat suit.
I was given it after his death.
It goes together.
The Godfather was very elegant.
He was better built than me,
but seeing as I have the honour
of wearing this...
I've already worn this sports gear,
but not this shirt.
These souvenirs are dear to me,
but this one...
When I became the "direct son"
of the godfather, he gave me this cup.
It means a lot to me.
Of course, I am not alone.
All of the Godfather's "direct sons"
and all the clan leaders
probably keep their cups carefully.
I imagine that the Godfather
is alive in all our hearts.
I'm sure of it.
In our milieu, it should be so.
When I became a yakuza,
I decided to leave my family,
to cut all ties.
I gave everything to
the organisation.
The fact of receiving souvenirs...
and keeping them carefully
reminds me of my real father
whom I had forgotten.
Even though I own nothing of his.
Thank you.
Thank each other.
It's full downstairs.
Will we tell them to come up?
Go open the door
so that people can come up.
It's busy.
It's full here.
We should get people to go up.
Go to the foot of the stairs,
open the door and let people up.
Public baths
Hello.
Hello. It's been a while.
Thank you for having the boys.
You're welcome.
I should thank you
for the experience.
They are very happy.
Good.
- Do you have some time?
- Yes.
- Would you like some tea?
- Thank you.
Things are bad
for public pools at the moment.
I even have time
to have tea with you.
The clients arrive a little later.
And don't your boys
go to the public pools?
You know, today,
certain pools ban yakuzas.
Well, not all.
In any case,
there is no problem here.
Come back any time.
You are welcome.
The other day my son told me
he was doing the music for this film.
I really don't understand
young people's music today.
They call it hip-hop
or something.
What is that music?
I understand.
The boss is leaving.
You realise a person counts
The day you lose them
I was working at fifteen
I took hits and I knew
He showed me the way
When times were bad
He didn't speak, stayed calm
Never easy answers
You had to wait
For a simple allusion
That was the man's pride
"One day, you'll understand"
He seemed to say
His huge shadow
His strangely clear eyes
Now I'm 22
I need to step up
My name is N.O.F.E.A.R
And I want to say
How much I appreciate...
It's nice today.
We're lucky.
It always rains
for Sanja festival.
You know why?
According to the deputy director,
rain symbolises divine water.
The goddess Kannon-sama?
She's always crying then?
Maybe.
I don't know.
You think she does this
out of love for us?
Perhaps...
I don't get it, I'm catholic.
It's about Naoki.
His uncle is not well,
I let him go an hour ago.
He'll keep in touch.
I gave him the day off.
Please excuse him.
It's a pity,
as he worked so hard,
I wanted to bring him
to the Sanja festival.
Well, never mind.
I understand.
Stay at the office in case.
Yes, boss.
Hey! Which unit are you from?
The 3rd or the 4th?
They are 3rd grade students!
Right, left!
The local police can't handle it.
They've asked for back-up.
Really?
There are buses of riot police.
In any case, they're not funny.
If anything happens on the altar,
they make people get down.
They're pretty rough.
They arrest people
and beat them.
You will now head
in the direction of...
the 3rd district of Asakusa.
Good luck and be careful
that everything goes well.
Yo mother fuckin' Tokyo
To the end of the world
To the end of life
Let's go...
He's not here.
We're looking for Naoki
since yesterday
in the shopping neighbourhood.
We went to the pachinko,
we looked everywhere,
but can't find him.
And the office?
He didn't come back to the office?
No?
I see.
Let us know
if you hear anything.
- He didn't come back?
- No.
Should we keep looking?
Why don't we check the bars?
I haven't seen Naoki
for a while.
Is there a problem?
I'm sorry.
We can't reach him since Sanja day.
He was a good worker.
What happened?
I don't know.
I see.
I don't understand.
He left without saying a word.
I don't get it.
He just left,
not a word.
I don't know...
When a young man takes off,
as we say in the milieu,
in other words, he disappears...
Of course,
if I think about it seriously,
I think there's no point
in running after him.
On the one hand,
I consider it to be a betrayal.
At the same time, I feel like
maybe I didn't do
what I should to keep him.
I do some soul searching
but in the end,
he chose to leave
while the others hang on
and do their best.
Rules are rules
and I must not be sentimental.
So, you could think
that I'm insensitive,
but I believe this coldness
is necessary.
When a young guy leaves,
I have to think of the clan first.
A yakuza clan
is an organisation like any other.
I am in charge
of this organisation.
Even if I don't do everything
from A to Z,
I have to think of everyone.
It's like in politics.
As the boss,
I have to create
this pyramid hierarchy.
If I act too quickly
or if I am wrong
about certain people,
I have to make it right.
As for Naoki,
he was not an official member
of Kumagai-gumi.
His mother sent him
as she didn't know
what to do with him.
That's how he ended up here.
He was never a clan member.
His mother was tearing her hair out,
and she asked me to step in.
I met his mother recently
to apologise.
I didn't manage to
educate him as I should,
when he was my responsibility.
Will he come back or not?
Truly, in this case,
I don't know.
He is part of this new generation.
They are another species.
Young people today have no reason
to be attracted to our milieu.
Here, they have no freedom.
Financially, it's not worth it
as they don't get paid.
And the hierarchy is very strict.
So, we have to reflect on how
we can provide hope and dreams
for the youth of today.
It's a real problem for us.
Summer days
Time goes by slowly
They are far away
Those summer holidays
We are still waiting
For in our hearts
Summer days
Time goes by slowly
They are far away
Those carefree summer days of youth
Buried in our memories
The blinding light burns you
The burning sun
Gets hotter every day
Soaring temperatures
No pity
I don't care about
The tropical sun
And everyone hopes
For a midsummer's dream
Nothing around me
Lights my fire
Just waiting in silence
For the end of this lonely summer
Sounds and images
Bring back old memories
To haunt me
When I was a kid
I ran barefoot
Happy without a care
In the hot days
That summer won't be back
You grow up
The summer holidays are over...
There they are!
I have them!
He found them.
Thank you.
"Mu": nothing
There have been
some changes in the clan.
Up until now,
I was an executive,
in other words,
I had a management job.
I've always moved up
and it happened quite rapidly.
But with these changes,
I've lost my position
and now I'm nothing.
Of course...
the reason I've lost everything,
is because...
of the position I took
that put my job on the line.
I am paying the consequences.
I was an executive and...
I lost everything.
I am nothing now.
I have a clan,
I have men.
I want to start
from scratch with them and rebuild.
Perseverance
Father ToccoIi, thank you
so much for praying for me.
Tell me, you applied
to become my secretary,
didn't you?
When one is a man,
one has to move on.
The clan leaders discussed
your application
and the deputy director
told me about it.
I answered that
if you were really serious,
if you were prepared
to take on the role,
then I agreed.
I accept your application.
Yes, boss.
So I'm asking you
to become my secretary.
Good, boss.
Now that you are my secretary,
you see nothing,
you hear nothing, you say nothing.
I wanted you to know.
I'm counting on you
to be a good secretary.
Thank you, boss.
- I'm back.
- Hi.
The fridge is empty.
Have a rest.
What are you doing?
That's enough, Takahashi.
- Please.
- You don't have to!
I heard you answering the phone.
It wasn't bad.
But you are answering
as my secretary.
You need to be more
sure of yourself,
and you calmly ask
the caller:
"Who is speaking?"
If you are asked:
"Are you Mr. Kumagai's secretary?"
You answer confidently:
"Yes, that is the case."
You have a Kansai accent.
There is no need to hide it.
Speak normally.
Be natural and use your own words.
Be sure of yourself.
I'm counting on you.
If today...
a young guy came to the door
and joined the Kumagai-gumi,
I don't think I would change much
in my way of working.
Maybe I would change one thing.
Up until now, I must admit
that I have rarely put myself
in their place,
even though I was once young myself.
I acted without thinking about them.
As a river flows downstream,
I thought it normal
that decisions came down from the top.
I have to change that.
I think we need to give young people
hopes and dreams
for them to follow.
That is the problem
I face today.
It's not like the old days.
But like I said before,
as clan leader,
It's up to me to make the decisions
and I have to make
all my men follow me
without question.
At the same time,
I need to show my affection.
It is in that spirit
that I wish to run my clan.
That is what I must do.
Oh!
I shouldn't say "Oh!"
but "Hey!".
Otherwise, no one will come.
Hey!
- Bring me some tea.
- Yes, boss.
Size XL,
that should fit him, no?
We should get him
warm trousers.
- What about the top?
- A long-sleeved t-shirt.
It's better to open them.
It's a real shame about Ikeda.
When you're secretary,
you should avoid hurting people.
How long has he been secretary?
Three months, I think.
Is that all?
I thought it had been
longer than that.
It's such a shame.
He shouldn't have...
Well, it's hard to say.
We weren't there.
It was a personal thing?
Yes, I think so.
But we don't know.
Did the guy
get out of hospital?
I don't know.
Anyway, I think he went over the top.
It's such a pity.
Let's hope he gets out
as soon as possible.
It won't be before
the end of the year.
And now it's cold.
He'll be fine with this!
Trousers, t-shirts...
He'll be prepared for the cold.
Well, let's go?
No Parking
Boss, Ikeda was caught
in the act by the cops.
But what exactly happened,
according to him?
He told me
that a fight broke out
between him and the victim.
But he says...
that the victim started the fight.
He knows that...
as he belongs
to a criminal organisation,
he must not attack civilians,
or be violent towards them.
But the problem is that the victim
was badly injured
and he's currently in hospital.
Ikeda injured the other party,
that's a fact.
So there will be damages.
Counsellor, do you think
that the detention period
will be lengthened
and that there will be a court case?
There's a 99% chance, yes.
Because he's a yakuza.
And of course, because of
the seriousness of the injuries.
Had the guilty party been
a respectable person,
in other words, not a yakuza...
for this type of misdemeanour,
he might just have had
to pay a fine.
Things would have stopped there.
But Ikeda has a 99% chance
of going to court.
Of course, Ikeda did hurt this man,
and he's a yakuza.
But did he overtly show
that he's a yakuza?
Did he mention the clan's name,
during the altercation?
No, not at all.
It seems to me
that the fact that he didn't admit
to being a yakuza
is an important detail.
There's another problem.
He has a criminal record.
A criminal record?
- He was on parole.
- When he was younger?
No, recently.
For a misdemeanour he committed
before joining the clan.
What did he do?
Obstructing a public officer.
He spent a year in prison
and had a 3 or 4 year
suspended sentence.
So he's currently on parole.
He's on parole?
I didn't know that.
Is that all?
He also has an assault
and battery conviction,
but he just got a fine.
So he's a repeat offender?
And this could have
a serious effect
on the sentence this time.
As you know, I work hard
to educate my younger men.
But they don't always obey.
If we're talking numbers,
day 1 corresponds
to the day he was arrested,
and day 22, to the end
of his remand period.
I think it all depends on
what we do during this period.
I heard from deputy director
that one of your men was arrested.
I hate to bother you...
What's the problem?
Tomaru, my cadet.
The one with the glasses,
who lost them at the barbecue?
Yes, exactly.
What's this
about attempted racketeering?
There's a petrol station
he's always gone to.
One of the girls there...
got pregnant.
But the man she was seeing
did not accept his responsibility.
She called and called,
but he didn't want to know.
So, she asked Tomaru for advice
as she often sees him
at the station.
Tomaru went to talk to the guy
and naturally, they talked money.
It's natural, as there are
medical fees to be paid.
The police arrested him on the spot
for attempted racketeering.
I am so sorry.
This affair could have
a bad influence
on the other young guys.
Right now,
when one man's in trouble,
everyone is worried
and it's hard for them.
I know you, I know how much
you respect the family.
But recently,
a number of our young guys
have been arrested one by one.
Even Ikeda was arrested
because he happened to be...
involved in an altercation
with assault and battery.
He's single.
He doesn't have a family to support.
When you have a family
to take care of,
things take on another dimension.
Does Tomaru have a family?
You know the situation.
And you're close to the young guys,
you have to tell them to be careful
not to be arrested for nothing.
She's here.
Are you OK?
Come in.
- This is for Tomaru's birthday?
- Yes.
- What is it?
- A belt.
Can I borrow it in the meantime?
- No way.
- Why?
I want it to stay new.
- Can I help myself?
- Please do.
I hope he gets out.
- Are you seeing him Monday?
- Yes.
My men will go with you.
Can you give him this?
It's the case
for his favourite glasses.
And something to clean them.
Put this with it.
So, how are you?
Same as ever, OK.
- What do you mean, same as ever?
- OK.
Even without your man?
I'm just a little lonely.
You feel lonely?
She feels lonely.
Are you eating?
Yes, I'm eating.
- What are you having tonight?
- Pike.
You eat that on your own?
She's unbelievable!
- You grill it?
- Yes.
Let him do it. He's a chef.
- Did you talk to the lawyer?
- No.
According to him, it's delicate
as Tomaru admitted openly
to being a yakuza.
Initially,
the prosecutor asked
for five years.
If there's a suspended sentence,
he will be sentenced immediately.
But because he said he was a yakuza
and he's my adopted son...
it could damage his chances.
We would love to help him,
but it's impossible.
Yes.
If this happened
to an ordinary citizen,
he would be the one
winning damages.
He would never have been arrested.
We have to see if we appeal or not.
I need to talk to Aniki.
Whatever happens, this must not
cause trouble for Aniki or the clan.
Do you want to move in with us
while he's away?
- No, thank you.
- Does this bother you?
She's refusing tactfully.
Not tactfully, but nicely.
I'm going to the prison.
Come in, please.
Mum, it's Hiro!
What brings you here?
I came to burn some incense
for Shingo.
Can I come in?
- Did you remember the package?
- Yes, I brought it.
May I?
- What time are you going for?
- One thirty.
One thirty?
Did you come alone?
No.
Are my men with you?
I'll go out to them.
It's cold.
- Are you OK, holding up?
- Yes.
- And how's Tomaru?
- Fine.
- We went to see him, he was happy.
- In good shape.
He was all smiles.
He's put on weight.
He seemed nice and warm,
in this cold.
Everyone's bringing
him sweets.
I hear he's getting tons.
Yes, every day.
He has spots all over his face.
It's disgusting!
It's because
he's eating too much chocolate.
Really?
Typical Tomaru. He's so funny.
I hope he gets out.
It's touch and go.
He has a 50/50 chance.
Tell him I'm really
worried about him.
Yes, I'll tell him.
Lay it on thick.
OK.
But you know, I just have 8 mn.
That's short.
is quite long, no?
There were three of us.
We had no time
and my mother kept talking.
I wanted to have a laugh with him.
We had a laugh.
But then,
I went serious,
I had important things to tell him.
I told him and the time flew.
What are you talking about so loudly?
About visiting Tomaru.
In any case,
it gives him time to think
and he seems fine.
He's thinking
and constantly eating.
Cakes.
And he has the best wishes
from Aniki and the boss.
Bring him this package from them.
Fine.
Tell him not to get down.
And that you are the lonely one.
If I can. I only have 8 mn.
- I have everything.
- What did you get?
Playboy,
Mapple
and Shukan Gendai.
- Will I put them in the bag?
- Fine.
Are you coming?
We'll wait here.
You won't have much time.
And you'll be more comfortable
If you are alone.
OK.
See you later.
- Say hello from us.
- I will, don't worry.
This is the first time
we have taken the time to talk.
Recently, the law has become
stricter with us.
You've heard?
There's a new law.
When the police see
more than three yakuzas together,
first, they are asked to split up.
If they don't obey,
they're arrested.
And then we are banned
from public places like hotels.
In other words,
the state is becoming
more and more strict
with regard to our milieu.
You should be OK.
Me too, of course.
What do you think?
People don't know
what yakuzas are like.
I'm much more serious
since I've been a yakuza.
I don't understand why
we are discriminated against.
We are human beings.
Of course, we're not choir boys.
We do sometimes
resort to violence.
Our species is shrinking
and the rope is tightening
around our necks.
When I was your age,
about twenty,
things were different.
At night, we used to
replace the police.
Shopkeepers and businesses
relied on us.
They were the good old days.
If there's one thing I regret,
it's that you never experienced that.
It's a pity.
But even if times are hard today,
we have to get by.
The laws change
and are becoming stricter,
we need to find solutions.
How do you think
we will make it?
Hi, Naoki.
It's been a while.
- It's good to see you.
- It's been ages.
- You lost weight?
- I lost 15 kg.
- 15 kg?
- Yes, 15 kg.
Was it tough on your nerves?
Thanks for coming out here.
I was worried about you.
You look good.
- What about you?
- I'm fine.
- Will we go?
- Yeah, let's move.
- Do you have any smokes?
- Yes.
- Is that tobacco?
- What do you mean?
You like smoking something else, no?
It's cold, huh?
Are you working at the moment?
Yes, with asbestos.
- Asbestos?
- Yes. I remove asbestos.
- Still risking your life.
- Yes.
I am covered from head to toe.
From head to toe?
I look like a cosmonaut.
Me too, but rapping at the same time.
Oh yeah, you're a rapper.
I work on a demolition site.
A bit like me then.
I hope to make a living from rap.
I hope for you.
But tell me,
since you left the Mafia,
you must feel freer?
Day to day.
Freer?
I don't think that's the point.
No one forced me
to do what I did.
When you were in the Mafia?
Let's just say
that I have more free time.
To hang out with you,
for example.
And your mother?
What does she think?
She must have been worried.
Yeah, I'd say so.
I'm sure.
I'd imagine she's relieved
but we haven't discussed it.
Until now,
I never really did anything good.
But you experienced things
that others never will.
Maybe.
In any case,
we need to hang in there.
In life, there are good
and bad people everywhere.
Maybe some day, another shock
will make you lose 15 kg.
Another shock...
Well, in that case...
it's a bit pretentious,
but you can say:
"The empire of beauty is greater
than the moral world."
Some will understand.
"The empire of beauty is greater
than the moral world."
Yeah, that's cool!
- Can I claim it?
- If you like!
- So, then you can't use it.
- Why?
Because it's mine.
I'll have to ask permission.
Will we go?
You walk like a yakuza.
It's the Naoki style.
The Naoki style?
I'll do it.
Hey, take it easy!
A bit much there!
It's as if I were saying:
"Out of my way!"
Where were you anyway
all this time?
The empire of beauty
Is greater
Than the moral world
The dream future is far away
Flee reality
Like you turn your back
To reject and flee everything
He had a dream but he lost
A denouement planned
By God and time
The dawn of despair
Where no light shines
A denouement planned
By God and time
The dawn of despair
Where no light shines
Night falls
Light slides away
He can't take it
He shrinks down
Curling up
Just waiting for
The day to end again
Till he bleeds
One last time
Out of strength
He follows his dream
"I'll show them!"
This type of phrase
Gone for three years
He bravely faced
His destiny
And many things happened
Was he wrong in the past?
Was this the wrong place?
Would he be shamed?
Broke, without music
A denouement planned
By God and time
Even in confusion
Always endure
Give him the strength to go on
A denouement planned
By God and time
The dawn of despair
Where no light shines
A denouement planned
By God and time
The dawn of despair
Where no light shines
Adaptation: Tresi Murphy
there were 86 301 Yakuzas in Japan,
spread over a number
of crime syndicates.
Yakuza is a
professional gambling word.
Literally ya-ku-za means
eight-nine-three.
So, how is your son
Naoki?
At the moment, he's at home.
But I did want to
speak to you about him.
I thought so.
In trouble again?
He's always in trouble.
The police keep calling.
I don't know what to do.
He doesn't even have a job?
No, he does nothing all day.
Here's what I propose...
You may think it odd but,
you could send him to the boss.
He's a yakuza, no?
Yes, he is.
No, I don't want that.
If it were another
yakuza clan,
I would never have
suggested it.
But everyone knows
Kumagai here.
We've all known him forever,
we know how he climbed
the ladder to get where he is.
You can't go wrong.
But I could never admit
it to my parents,
or the people I know.
The yakuza world
can be a place
where he can learn
good manners and perseverance.
Then he can decide
if he wants to be a yakuza.
He's no longer a child.
He can decide himself
what he wants for his future.
In any case, this apprenticeship
will only last a year.
It goes by quickly.
I would never do anything
without your permission.
But if you wish,
I will speak to your son.
- I'll go.
- Fine.
May we come in?
Please excuse me.
This is Naoki, Mrs. Watanabe's son.
Delighted.
My name is Watanabe.
Sit down.
He told me about you.
You know your mother, you and I,
are all from the same neighbourhood.
It's as if we were
all the same family.
But tell me,
what do you think of our milieu?
To be honest...
I don't really know any yakuzas.
I have friends who are familiar
with yakuzas from films or books.
But I'm not really.
Until now, I know
nothing about the milieu.
At the moment,
I don't have a steady job.
I do nothing all day.
I spoke with M. Imai
who said this was
a good chance...
He advised me to come here
as an apprentice.
I was just thinking
that it was time to change.
I couldn't just go on
doing nothing.
So, I thought that this was
a good opportunity for me.
During your apprenticeship,
you will see many things.
I am warning you,
they will not all be positive.
Human relations are
not always easy.
Of course,
it is an apprenticeship,
and your first experience.
And everything you see,
what you feel,
every experience you have...
whether it is good or bad,
can be a lesson.
What you deem to be good,
you will take on board,
and what you deem to be bad,
you will reject.
You will be your own judge.
Trust your instinct.
Good luck.
By the way, how old are you?
And that haircut is fashionable,
for young men of your age?
No, not really.
But I didn't have time
to get a haircut.
If you want to be
an apprentice here,
you need to be free to move.
You can't have messy hair.
You need to have short hair
to be able to react immediately.
Go to the barber tomorrow,
get your hair cut.
- Is that clear?
- Yes.
We will leave you now.
Goodbye.
- Good luck.
- Thank you very much.
- How old are you?
- 20 years old.
You're so lucky!
- You think?
- Yes.
At 20, I was
in a motorcycle gang.
Is that so?
What about you?
- Yes, when I was 16.
- Really?
- Just for a day.
- One day? What put you off?
In fact, what happened was...
my friends absolutely
wanted me to join.
They kept bugging me...
I was going to say yes.
But then they wanted me
to curl my hair.
A perm?
I didn't want to.
I said if that was the condition,
I would quit.
And you left after one day?
Get changed. You can't wear
your own clothes anymore.
You wear this uniform.
You can throw out the rest.
"Please excuse me."
You have to bow low down.
Your arms by your sides,
and really mean what you say.
"Please excuse me."
Again.
Yes, not too bad.
But really mean what you say.
When you're leaving you say:
"Excuse the interruption."
Yes, that's it.
In the morning, when the boss arrives:
"Good morning, boss."
"Good morning, boss."
In here, are the boss's
cups and glasses.
- All these?
- Yes, this is all for the boss.
Here, are the guest glasses,
and here,
the H.Q. chief's things.
Here, are the guest cups,
and here, are our ones.
And all the dishes above,
belong to the boss.
The shibori below right
are the boss's.
Those are for the deputy chief,
those for the H.Q. chief.
Here, there are less than usual.
They're for the guests.
That's the boss's kettle.
This one is for us.
- Be very careful.
- OK.
That's the boss's fridge.
Everything in there,
is for the boss.
Can you get me a coaster?
Is there a special way
of folding the shibori?
Yes.
We'll go in together.
"Please excuse me."
First,
put down the shibori.
The name should be on this side.
- The name on the cup?
- Yes, facing him.
You place the shibori on the right.
Then you say:
"Excuse the interruption."
- How old are you?
- 26 years old.
I'm only 20.
You look older.
I get that a lot.
You look much older.
Really?
That old?
- Have I met everyone yet?
- Not yet.
It's stressful.
At the start, that's normal.
It's stressful.
Are there any scary ones?
Scary ones?
No, I don't think so.
Really?
You'd think in a place like this,
there would be.
- Really...
- You're sure?
It happens in the dirty city
The concrete jungle
You wander, bad boy solitaire
Full of dreams
You land in Tokyo
In a state
You understand nothing
Freezing wind whips your cheeks
In this shitty town
You show your teeth
You fight your demons
At the crossroads, you must choose
Life or death
All or nothing
Your life on the line
No room for error
In this concrete valley
You're petrified
You lose your bet
Your dreams collapse
It's a dead end
Totally lost
Left, right?
No one to help
Dead or Alive
Always
Wandering
With no end
Dead or Alive
In this labyrinth
Follow your path to get there...
Companies and businesses
use these stickers.
"No entry
for criminal organisations."
The police give them out.
The police bring together
business owners and managers.
They're doing it everywhere.
They organise meetings
in rented halls,
or in their offices...
Anyway, it doesn't matter...
In these meetings,
the police...
give out information...
on the clans operating
in such and such a zone.
In addition...
the police give instructions
to businesses.
They tell them
not to give in
to the demands
of criminal organisations.
I think they give people
lots of information
they wouldn't normally have.
The first time I saw that,
I was raging.
I thought:
"Are they trying to abolish us?"
Now, I don't even
notice it anymore.
They made these stickers,
they stick them up
and won't let us in.
Let them!
We'll find other ways
of getting by.
The first time I came
to this neighbourhood,
I must have been 9 years old.
This shopping mall
is the cheapest
in all of Shinagawa.
At the time,
I lived in Oimachi with my family.
I remember
we would come here by train
to do our shopping.
I would never have thought
that years later,
I would be the boss here.
Your tea.
Excuse the interruption.
Given his position
in relation to mine,
he can't come to see me
to talk about his future.
I must make the first move.
I'll choose the right time.
It doesn't seem like it,
but when I'm in the office,
I watch the young guys myself.
It's stinging my eyes!
Ikeda-san, you have a tattoo?
Yes.
What's it like?
Like that?
No, mine isn't finished.
Only the outline.
It's crazy to be so tattooed.
It's cool.
It's really cool.
- Do they mean something?
- Yes.
Everyone here has a tattoo?
Yes, quite a few.
Do you want
a tattoo as well?
I don't know yet.
I have a small one.
- A western one?
- Yes, a western one.
Please excuse me.
That will be all.
That's fine.
According to my philosophy
and that of my clan,
there's no point
in forcing someone.
If a young guy wants to leave,
it means he has his
own reasons, of course.
Sometimes, I ask them
for an explanation, but not always.
It depends on the person.
Each time is different.
In fact, it depends
on his behaviour.
If it's a young guy who has
really tried hard,
who made a real effort,
I ask him why he wants to leave.
If he's sure, I accept.
But in that case,
there are rules to be respected.
I give him the conditions
and he must disappear.
He must never use the clan's name,
and never say he was in the clan.
It depends on the clan
but I think there's no point
in making them stay.
That's my philosophy
and I don't intend to change.
Before, the custom was to
cut off their little finger.
But if a yakuza
did that today,
he wouldn't be able to
rejoin normal society.
If he's missing a finger,
he will have problems
finding a job.
I do not follow this practice.
But I order the man to
forget everything he has seen.
Even to forget the name Kumagai.
Not to regret his choice.
And never to look back.
If he is ready to accept
the consequences, he can leave.
He must never pronounce
one syllable of our name.
And leave the neighbourhood.
Those are the rules to be respected.
Compared to before,
I think it's easier.
Head into town
Tokyo, capital
Concrete walls bar your way
Jump straight in
Follow your path
Don't stop
Yo mother fuckin' Tokyo
To the end of the world
To the end of life
Let's go...
Hello everyone.
We'll start with
the end of year clean-up.
To begin the New Year cleanly,
and enable our boss
and our executives
to work well,
I will ask that you work hard
and be effective.
Tomaru, Katsuhisa and Naoki,
do the boss's office.
Someya, Shiraishi, Harada and Takagi,
do the living room.
Shimoda, Nakahara and Kobayashi,
do the cadet's room and the kitchen.
I want everything clean.
Hey, Kosuke,
do you have posters at home?
Before yes, but not anymore.
That's not really a poster...
But usually,
you put up posters of stars.
It's unusual to put
a poster of yourself on the wall.
Well, I think so...
But in the offices of the other clans,
they are even bigger.
Would you like
to be like him?
Become like him...
Kumagai-gumi New Year's party
I am Takashima.
Next year,
I will try to be the best driver.
I am Sato.
Next year I will work hard.
I am Someya.
I will endeavour to take
the honourable path.
You may talk among yourselves.
I now hand you over
to M. Hideyuki Ishii of Kumagai-gumi.
It's been a busy year,
and we thank the boss warmly
for the precious time
he has given us.
We will do three rounds of applause.
One of my men who was once
my secretary was in court.
The judge asked his profession,
and he answered yakuza.
He was asked:
"What does that mean?"
The term "yakuza"
exists in the dictionary,
but it is not listed
as a profession, I think.
I was happy
that my young guy said that.
In general, in court,
we say we have no profession,
or that we are self-employed.
But when we say that, we get:
"But aren't you a yakuza?"
Why bother saving face?
It's no better to be
unemployed or self-employed.
In that case,
you might as well tell the court
proudly: "I'm a yakuza."
"I am a yakuza by trade."
It's quite manly, no?
The judge asked him: "What does
the yakuza profession involve?"
"Proving one's manhood."
"You can do that in other jobs",
said the judge.
I thought
it was a good answer.
Whatever our job.
But I would have liked to know
how he proves his manhood.
Our kind ignores the law,
or more precisely,
we turn our backs on it.
We watch society from the shadows.
Today, yakuzas
need to think about how
they can go on doing what they do.
We yakuzas
are now also involved
in legal activities.
It has become more and more common
in our milieu.
Despite this, we are still living
in a parallel world,
a world of shadows.
And that world...
is still run by its own laws.
Even if national laws are getting
stricter and stricter,
the rules of our society
still exist.
There is an official society,
and then, there's a line.
From the start of this film,
we agreed
that we wouldn't show or mention
what happens
on the other side of that line.
I wish to begin the year
with a few words.
Year 18 of the Heisei era
begins today.
The situation is not good
and we have to admit
that things are getting
harder every year.
But we, the members of
the Kumagai-gumi clan
are convinced that
united we stand.
We will all give our
very best.
We rely on your advice
and your encouragement.
To finish up, let me wish you
the very best for the New Year.
January 1st,
year 18 of the Heisei clan.
New Year's greetings.
Chiyozo Ishii.
We rely on your goodness.
I'm counting on all of you
to take care of your health
and to do your best.
Come here!
From Aniki.
I'm counting on you.
Now the service men.
Thank you.
Excuse the interruption.
Outlook average
You're not eating
my New Year dishes?
- Pass the meat.
- You eat meat all year!
Eat the sweet beans instead.
So?
- So?
- What?
- Are you happy with your life?
- Pfff.
"Pfff"?
- Nothing new.
- What do you do all day?
Housework.
What do you mean, housework?
Where do you clean?
What a question!
Where do you think?
You never cleaned here!
Well sometimes, at night.
I have no choice.
Are you any good?
I do the shopping.
I buy the food...
for the meals.
You cook?
What do you cook?
I don't do the main course.
I couldn't.
You've never cooked,
except for frying a few vegetables...
I cut my finger,
the other day.
- How?
- Cutting leeks.
- Can you do that?
- No.
To the right, the one with the gun.
- The old bald guy?
- That's me.
Shhh, be quiet!
How cool!
- You really like Sho Aikawa?
- I love him.
- Really?
- I'm crazy about him.
- I prefer Riki Takeuchi.
- Oh no!
In yakuza movies,
there are never any office scenes.
Just one, in general.
What's a scene?
It's too hard to explain.
You know, there's often a scene
with someone who visits the boss.
But we don't see the yakuzas'
daily life.
Well, I don't watch
many yakuza films.
I do.
What do you think?
It's true, you're right.
The action all happens outside...
Does it work?
Naoki, speak to check.
Hello?
Can you hear me?
Yes.
- So it's OK?
- Yes.
Thank you.
It's OK.
You all have one?
Yes, all the security guys.
- You too, one day, you'll have one.
- Really?
- I'm off.
- Bye.
When we shot the scene
at the Shinto sanctuary,
people thought I was an actor.
They asked for autographs.
I signed my name.
You know, Mum, it would be good
if we saw your face
at the end of the film.
Young people who join our milieu
are often in need of love.
More than a newfather,
what they look for
in people like me...
with whom they have no
family ties,
is what they didn't get from
their natural parents.
For them, we are
like substitution parents.
And in exchange for our affection,
the love we provide,
a feeling of devotion is created
that we call "giri".
Hello, boss.
The Godfather died on May 29th.
As a personal gesture,
I visit his grave,
on the 29th of each month.
This is a souvenir of the Godfather.
It belonged to him.
The Godfather was born...
in the year of the dragon.
He had a dragon motif
embroidered
on this sweat suit.
I was given it after his death.
It goes together.
The Godfather was very elegant.
He was better built than me,
but seeing as I have the honour
of wearing this...
I've already worn this sports gear,
but not this shirt.
These souvenirs are dear to me,
but this one...
When I became the "direct son"
of the godfather, he gave me this cup.
It means a lot to me.
Of course, I am not alone.
All of the Godfather's "direct sons"
and all the clan leaders
probably keep their cups carefully.
I imagine that the Godfather
is alive in all our hearts.
I'm sure of it.
In our milieu, it should be so.
When I became a yakuza,
I decided to leave my family,
to cut all ties.
I gave everything to
the organisation.
The fact of receiving souvenirs...
and keeping them carefully
reminds me of my real father
whom I had forgotten.
Even though I own nothing of his.
Thank you.
Thank each other.
It's full downstairs.
Will we tell them to come up?
Go open the door
so that people can come up.
It's busy.
It's full here.
We should get people to go up.
Go to the foot of the stairs,
open the door and let people up.
Public baths
Hello.
Hello. It's been a while.
Thank you for having the boys.
You're welcome.
I should thank you
for the experience.
They are very happy.
Good.
- Do you have some time?
- Yes.
- Would you like some tea?
- Thank you.
Things are bad
for public pools at the moment.
I even have time
to have tea with you.
The clients arrive a little later.
And don't your boys
go to the public pools?
You know, today,
certain pools ban yakuzas.
Well, not all.
In any case,
there is no problem here.
Come back any time.
You are welcome.
The other day my son told me
he was doing the music for this film.
I really don't understand
young people's music today.
They call it hip-hop
or something.
What is that music?
I understand.
The boss is leaving.
You realise a person counts
The day you lose them
I was working at fifteen
I took hits and I knew
He showed me the way
When times were bad
He didn't speak, stayed calm
Never easy answers
You had to wait
For a simple allusion
That was the man's pride
"One day, you'll understand"
He seemed to say
His huge shadow
His strangely clear eyes
Now I'm 22
I need to step up
My name is N.O.F.E.A.R
And I want to say
How much I appreciate...
It's nice today.
We're lucky.
It always rains
for Sanja festival.
You know why?
According to the deputy director,
rain symbolises divine water.
The goddess Kannon-sama?
She's always crying then?
Maybe.
I don't know.
You think she does this
out of love for us?
Perhaps...
I don't get it, I'm catholic.
It's about Naoki.
His uncle is not well,
I let him go an hour ago.
He'll keep in touch.
I gave him the day off.
Please excuse him.
It's a pity,
as he worked so hard,
I wanted to bring him
to the Sanja festival.
Well, never mind.
I understand.
Stay at the office in case.
Yes, boss.
Hey! Which unit are you from?
The 3rd or the 4th?
They are 3rd grade students!
Right, left!
The local police can't handle it.
They've asked for back-up.
Really?
There are buses of riot police.
In any case, they're not funny.
If anything happens on the altar,
they make people get down.
They're pretty rough.
They arrest people
and beat them.
You will now head
in the direction of...
the 3rd district of Asakusa.
Good luck and be careful
that everything goes well.
Yo mother fuckin' Tokyo
To the end of the world
To the end of life
Let's go...
He's not here.
We're looking for Naoki
since yesterday
in the shopping neighbourhood.
We went to the pachinko,
we looked everywhere,
but can't find him.
And the office?
He didn't come back to the office?
No?
I see.
Let us know
if you hear anything.
- He didn't come back?
- No.
Should we keep looking?
Why don't we check the bars?
I haven't seen Naoki
for a while.
Is there a problem?
I'm sorry.
We can't reach him since Sanja day.
He was a good worker.
What happened?
I don't know.
I see.
I don't understand.
He left without saying a word.
I don't get it.
He just left,
not a word.
I don't know...
When a young man takes off,
as we say in the milieu,
in other words, he disappears...
Of course,
if I think about it seriously,
I think there's no point
in running after him.
On the one hand,
I consider it to be a betrayal.
At the same time, I feel like
maybe I didn't do
what I should to keep him.
I do some soul searching
but in the end,
he chose to leave
while the others hang on
and do their best.
Rules are rules
and I must not be sentimental.
So, you could think
that I'm insensitive,
but I believe this coldness
is necessary.
When a young guy leaves,
I have to think of the clan first.
A yakuza clan
is an organisation like any other.
I am in charge
of this organisation.
Even if I don't do everything
from A to Z,
I have to think of everyone.
It's like in politics.
As the boss,
I have to create
this pyramid hierarchy.
If I act too quickly
or if I am wrong
about certain people,
I have to make it right.
As for Naoki,
he was not an official member
of Kumagai-gumi.
His mother sent him
as she didn't know
what to do with him.
That's how he ended up here.
He was never a clan member.
His mother was tearing her hair out,
and she asked me to step in.
I met his mother recently
to apologise.
I didn't manage to
educate him as I should,
when he was my responsibility.
Will he come back or not?
Truly, in this case,
I don't know.
He is part of this new generation.
They are another species.
Young people today have no reason
to be attracted to our milieu.
Here, they have no freedom.
Financially, it's not worth it
as they don't get paid.
And the hierarchy is very strict.
So, we have to reflect on how
we can provide hope and dreams
for the youth of today.
It's a real problem for us.
Summer days
Time goes by slowly
They are far away
Those summer holidays
We are still waiting
For in our hearts
Summer days
Time goes by slowly
They are far away
Those carefree summer days of youth
Buried in our memories
The blinding light burns you
The burning sun
Gets hotter every day
Soaring temperatures
No pity
I don't care about
The tropical sun
And everyone hopes
For a midsummer's dream
Nothing around me
Lights my fire
Just waiting in silence
For the end of this lonely summer
Sounds and images
Bring back old memories
To haunt me
When I was a kid
I ran barefoot
Happy without a care
In the hot days
That summer won't be back
You grow up
The summer holidays are over...
There they are!
I have them!
He found them.
Thank you.
"Mu": nothing
There have been
some changes in the clan.
Up until now,
I was an executive,
in other words,
I had a management job.
I've always moved up
and it happened quite rapidly.
But with these changes,
I've lost my position
and now I'm nothing.
Of course...
the reason I've lost everything,
is because...
of the position I took
that put my job on the line.
I am paying the consequences.
I was an executive and...
I lost everything.
I am nothing now.
I have a clan,
I have men.
I want to start
from scratch with them and rebuild.
Perseverance
Father ToccoIi, thank you
so much for praying for me.
Tell me, you applied
to become my secretary,
didn't you?
When one is a man,
one has to move on.
The clan leaders discussed
your application
and the deputy director
told me about it.
I answered that
if you were really serious,
if you were prepared
to take on the role,
then I agreed.
I accept your application.
Yes, boss.
So I'm asking you
to become my secretary.
Good, boss.
Now that you are my secretary,
you see nothing,
you hear nothing, you say nothing.
I wanted you to know.
I'm counting on you
to be a good secretary.
Thank you, boss.
- I'm back.
- Hi.
The fridge is empty.
Have a rest.
What are you doing?
That's enough, Takahashi.
- Please.
- You don't have to!
I heard you answering the phone.
It wasn't bad.
But you are answering
as my secretary.
You need to be more
sure of yourself,
and you calmly ask
the caller:
"Who is speaking?"
If you are asked:
"Are you Mr. Kumagai's secretary?"
You answer confidently:
"Yes, that is the case."
You have a Kansai accent.
There is no need to hide it.
Speak normally.
Be natural and use your own words.
Be sure of yourself.
I'm counting on you.
If today...
a young guy came to the door
and joined the Kumagai-gumi,
I don't think I would change much
in my way of working.
Maybe I would change one thing.
Up until now, I must admit
that I have rarely put myself
in their place,
even though I was once young myself.
I acted without thinking about them.
As a river flows downstream,
I thought it normal
that decisions came down from the top.
I have to change that.
I think we need to give young people
hopes and dreams
for them to follow.
That is the problem
I face today.
It's not like the old days.
But like I said before,
as clan leader,
It's up to me to make the decisions
and I have to make
all my men follow me
without question.
At the same time,
I need to show my affection.
It is in that spirit
that I wish to run my clan.
That is what I must do.
Oh!
I shouldn't say "Oh!"
but "Hey!".
Otherwise, no one will come.
Hey!
- Bring me some tea.
- Yes, boss.
Size XL,
that should fit him, no?
We should get him
warm trousers.
- What about the top?
- A long-sleeved t-shirt.
It's better to open them.
It's a real shame about Ikeda.
When you're secretary,
you should avoid hurting people.
How long has he been secretary?
Three months, I think.
Is that all?
I thought it had been
longer than that.
It's such a shame.
He shouldn't have...
Well, it's hard to say.
We weren't there.
It was a personal thing?
Yes, I think so.
But we don't know.
Did the guy
get out of hospital?
I don't know.
Anyway, I think he went over the top.
It's such a pity.
Let's hope he gets out
as soon as possible.
It won't be before
the end of the year.
And now it's cold.
He'll be fine with this!
Trousers, t-shirts...
He'll be prepared for the cold.
Well, let's go?
No Parking
Boss, Ikeda was caught
in the act by the cops.
But what exactly happened,
according to him?
He told me
that a fight broke out
between him and the victim.
But he says...
that the victim started the fight.
He knows that...
as he belongs
to a criminal organisation,
he must not attack civilians,
or be violent towards them.
But the problem is that the victim
was badly injured
and he's currently in hospital.
Ikeda injured the other party,
that's a fact.
So there will be damages.
Counsellor, do you think
that the detention period
will be lengthened
and that there will be a court case?
There's a 99% chance, yes.
Because he's a yakuza.
And of course, because of
the seriousness of the injuries.
Had the guilty party been
a respectable person,
in other words, not a yakuza...
for this type of misdemeanour,
he might just have had
to pay a fine.
Things would have stopped there.
But Ikeda has a 99% chance
of going to court.
Of course, Ikeda did hurt this man,
and he's a yakuza.
But did he overtly show
that he's a yakuza?
Did he mention the clan's name,
during the altercation?
No, not at all.
It seems to me
that the fact that he didn't admit
to being a yakuza
is an important detail.
There's another problem.
He has a criminal record.
A criminal record?
- He was on parole.
- When he was younger?
No, recently.
For a misdemeanour he committed
before joining the clan.
What did he do?
Obstructing a public officer.
He spent a year in prison
and had a 3 or 4 year
suspended sentence.
So he's currently on parole.
He's on parole?
I didn't know that.
Is that all?
He also has an assault
and battery conviction,
but he just got a fine.
So he's a repeat offender?
And this could have
a serious effect
on the sentence this time.
As you know, I work hard
to educate my younger men.
But they don't always obey.
If we're talking numbers,
day 1 corresponds
to the day he was arrested,
and day 22, to the end
of his remand period.
I think it all depends on
what we do during this period.
I heard from deputy director
that one of your men was arrested.
I hate to bother you...
What's the problem?
Tomaru, my cadet.
The one with the glasses,
who lost them at the barbecue?
Yes, exactly.
What's this
about attempted racketeering?
There's a petrol station
he's always gone to.
One of the girls there...
got pregnant.
But the man she was seeing
did not accept his responsibility.
She called and called,
but he didn't want to know.
So, she asked Tomaru for advice
as she often sees him
at the station.
Tomaru went to talk to the guy
and naturally, they talked money.
It's natural, as there are
medical fees to be paid.
The police arrested him on the spot
for attempted racketeering.
I am so sorry.
This affair could have
a bad influence
on the other young guys.
Right now,
when one man's in trouble,
everyone is worried
and it's hard for them.
I know you, I know how much
you respect the family.
But recently,
a number of our young guys
have been arrested one by one.
Even Ikeda was arrested
because he happened to be...
involved in an altercation
with assault and battery.
He's single.
He doesn't have a family to support.
When you have a family
to take care of,
things take on another dimension.
Does Tomaru have a family?
You know the situation.
And you're close to the young guys,
you have to tell them to be careful
not to be arrested for nothing.
She's here.
Are you OK?
Come in.
- This is for Tomaru's birthday?
- Yes.
- What is it?
- A belt.
Can I borrow it in the meantime?
- No way.
- Why?
I want it to stay new.
- Can I help myself?
- Please do.
I hope he gets out.
- Are you seeing him Monday?
- Yes.
My men will go with you.
Can you give him this?
It's the case
for his favourite glasses.
And something to clean them.
Put this with it.
So, how are you?
Same as ever, OK.
- What do you mean, same as ever?
- OK.
Even without your man?
I'm just a little lonely.
You feel lonely?
She feels lonely.
Are you eating?
Yes, I'm eating.
- What are you having tonight?
- Pike.
You eat that on your own?
She's unbelievable!
- You grill it?
- Yes.
Let him do it. He's a chef.
- Did you talk to the lawyer?
- No.
According to him, it's delicate
as Tomaru admitted openly
to being a yakuza.
Initially,
the prosecutor asked
for five years.
If there's a suspended sentence,
he will be sentenced immediately.
But because he said he was a yakuza
and he's my adopted son...
it could damage his chances.
We would love to help him,
but it's impossible.
Yes.
If this happened
to an ordinary citizen,
he would be the one
winning damages.
He would never have been arrested.
We have to see if we appeal or not.
I need to talk to Aniki.
Whatever happens, this must not
cause trouble for Aniki or the clan.
Do you want to move in with us
while he's away?
- No, thank you.
- Does this bother you?
She's refusing tactfully.
Not tactfully, but nicely.
I'm going to the prison.
Come in, please.
Mum, it's Hiro!
What brings you here?
I came to burn some incense
for Shingo.
Can I come in?
- Did you remember the package?
- Yes, I brought it.
May I?
- What time are you going for?
- One thirty.
One thirty?
Did you come alone?
No.
Are my men with you?
I'll go out to them.
It's cold.
- Are you OK, holding up?
- Yes.
- And how's Tomaru?
- Fine.
- We went to see him, he was happy.
- In good shape.
He was all smiles.
He's put on weight.
He seemed nice and warm,
in this cold.
Everyone's bringing
him sweets.
I hear he's getting tons.
Yes, every day.
He has spots all over his face.
It's disgusting!
It's because
he's eating too much chocolate.
Really?
Typical Tomaru. He's so funny.
I hope he gets out.
It's touch and go.
He has a 50/50 chance.
Tell him I'm really
worried about him.
Yes, I'll tell him.
Lay it on thick.
OK.
But you know, I just have 8 mn.
That's short.
is quite long, no?
There were three of us.
We had no time
and my mother kept talking.
I wanted to have a laugh with him.
We had a laugh.
But then,
I went serious,
I had important things to tell him.
I told him and the time flew.
What are you talking about so loudly?
About visiting Tomaru.
In any case,
it gives him time to think
and he seems fine.
He's thinking
and constantly eating.
Cakes.
And he has the best wishes
from Aniki and the boss.
Bring him this package from them.
Fine.
Tell him not to get down.
And that you are the lonely one.
If I can. I only have 8 mn.
- I have everything.
- What did you get?
Playboy,
Mapple
and Shukan Gendai.
- Will I put them in the bag?
- Fine.
Are you coming?
We'll wait here.
You won't have much time.
And you'll be more comfortable
If you are alone.
OK.
See you later.
- Say hello from us.
- I will, don't worry.
This is the first time
we have taken the time to talk.
Recently, the law has become
stricter with us.
You've heard?
There's a new law.
When the police see
more than three yakuzas together,
first, they are asked to split up.
If they don't obey,
they're arrested.
And then we are banned
from public places like hotels.
In other words,
the state is becoming
more and more strict
with regard to our milieu.
You should be OK.
Me too, of course.
What do you think?
People don't know
what yakuzas are like.
I'm much more serious
since I've been a yakuza.
I don't understand why
we are discriminated against.
We are human beings.
Of course, we're not choir boys.
We do sometimes
resort to violence.
Our species is shrinking
and the rope is tightening
around our necks.
When I was your age,
about twenty,
things were different.
At night, we used to
replace the police.
Shopkeepers and businesses
relied on us.
They were the good old days.
If there's one thing I regret,
it's that you never experienced that.
It's a pity.
But even if times are hard today,
we have to get by.
The laws change
and are becoming stricter,
we need to find solutions.
How do you think
we will make it?
Hi, Naoki.
It's been a while.
- It's good to see you.
- It's been ages.
- You lost weight?
- I lost 15 kg.
- 15 kg?
- Yes, 15 kg.
Was it tough on your nerves?
Thanks for coming out here.
I was worried about you.
You look good.
- What about you?
- I'm fine.
- Will we go?
- Yeah, let's move.
- Do you have any smokes?
- Yes.
- Is that tobacco?
- What do you mean?
You like smoking something else, no?
It's cold, huh?
Are you working at the moment?
Yes, with asbestos.
- Asbestos?
- Yes. I remove asbestos.
- Still risking your life.
- Yes.
I am covered from head to toe.
From head to toe?
I look like a cosmonaut.
Me too, but rapping at the same time.
Oh yeah, you're a rapper.
I work on a demolition site.
A bit like me then.
I hope to make a living from rap.
I hope for you.
But tell me,
since you left the Mafia,
you must feel freer?
Day to day.
Freer?
I don't think that's the point.
No one forced me
to do what I did.
When you were in the Mafia?
Let's just say
that I have more free time.
To hang out with you,
for example.
And your mother?
What does she think?
She must have been worried.
Yeah, I'd say so.
I'm sure.
I'd imagine she's relieved
but we haven't discussed it.
Until now,
I never really did anything good.
But you experienced things
that others never will.
Maybe.
In any case,
we need to hang in there.
In life, there are good
and bad people everywhere.
Maybe some day, another shock
will make you lose 15 kg.
Another shock...
Well, in that case...
it's a bit pretentious,
but you can say:
"The empire of beauty is greater
than the moral world."
Some will understand.
"The empire of beauty is greater
than the moral world."
Yeah, that's cool!
- Can I claim it?
- If you like!
- So, then you can't use it.
- Why?
Because it's mine.
I'll have to ask permission.
Will we go?
You walk like a yakuza.
It's the Naoki style.
The Naoki style?
I'll do it.
Hey, take it easy!
A bit much there!
It's as if I were saying:
"Out of my way!"
Where were you anyway
all this time?
The empire of beauty
Is greater
Than the moral world
The dream future is far away
Flee reality
Like you turn your back
To reject and flee everything
He had a dream but he lost
A denouement planned
By God and time
The dawn of despair
Where no light shines
A denouement planned
By God and time
The dawn of despair
Where no light shines
Night falls
Light slides away
He can't take it
He shrinks down
Curling up
Just waiting for
The day to end again
Till he bleeds
One last time
Out of strength
He follows his dream
"I'll show them!"
This type of phrase
Gone for three years
He bravely faced
His destiny
And many things happened
Was he wrong in the past?
Was this the wrong place?
Would he be shamed?
Broke, without music
A denouement planned
By God and time
Even in confusion
Always endure
Give him the strength to go on
A denouement planned
By God and time
The dawn of despair
Where no light shines
A denouement planned
By God and time
The dawn of despair
Where no light shines
Adaptation: Tresi Murphy