Tuesday, March 16, 2004

Found the translation...

A local paper recently printed the whole scene from Lost In Translation where Bob Harris is shooting the Suntory commercial in English...ever wondered just what that frustrated director wa saying? Well, here it is!

DIRECTOR

Mr. Bob-san, you are relaxing in your study. On the table is a bottle of Suntory whiskey. Got it? Look slowly, with feeling, at the camera, and say it gently – say it as if you were speaking to an old friend. Just like Bogie is “Casablanca,” Here’s looking at you, kid – Suntory time.

TRANSLATOR

Umm. He want you to turn, looking at camera. OK?

HARRIS

That’s all he said?

TRANSLATOR

Yes. Turn to camera.

HARRIS

All right. Does he want me to turn from the right, or turn from the left?
TRANSLATOR
(to DIRECTOR)

Uh, umm. He’s ready now. He just wants to know if he’s supposed to turn from the left or turn from the right when the camera rolls. What should I tell him?

DIRECTOR

What difference does it make! Makes no difference! Don’t have time for that! Got it, Bob-san? Just psych yourself up, and quick! Look straight at the camera. At the camera. And slowly…with passion. Straight at the camera. And in your eyes there’s…passion. Got it?

TRANSLATOR
(to HARRIS)

Right side. And with intensity. OK?

HARRIS

Is that everything? It seemed like he said quite a bit more than that.

DIRECTOR
(to HARRIS, gesticulating wildly)

Listen, listen. This isn’t just about whiskey. Understand? Imagine you’re talking to an old friend. Gently. The emotions bubble up from the bottom of your heart. And don’t forget, psych yourself up!

TRANSLATOR

Like an old friend. And, into the camera.

HARRIS

OK.

DIRECTOR

Got it? You love whiskey. It’s Suntory time. OK?

HARRIS

OK.

DIRECTOR

OK?

(HARRIS nods)

DIRECTOR
(to crew)

OK! We’re rolling! Ready! Action!

HARRIS
(turning to the camera)

For relxing times…make it Suntory time.

DIRECTOR

Cut! Cut, cut, cut, cut!! You don’t seem to understand, do you? This is Suntory’s Hibiki. Suntory’s most expensive brand. Put more luxurious feeling into it. It’s not your everyday whiskey.

TRANSLATOR

Could you do it slower and…

DIRECTOR

Give it everything you’ve got!

TRANSLATOR

More intensity.

DIRECTOR

(to HARRIS)
Suntory time….
(to crew)

We’re rolling! Ready! Action!

HARRIS

For relaxing times…make it Suntory time.

DIRECTOR

Cut! Cut. Cut, cut, cut! I’m begging you, begging you…

(BOB HARRIS’ Suntory smile fades into annoyance)

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