THE FAITH OF WEI SHENG Adaptation from Ryunosuke Akutagawa by Vlad Vasilescu
CREDITS
MUSIC: "Faith" soundtrack theme.
INTRODUCTION
A Manga cover page, blue color with silver Buddhist border
motifs, "The Faith of Wei Sheng" title and "Ryunosuke
Akutagawa" author.
The cover page opens to reveal the accordion binding style
and the first two folding pages. A colorful old map Of Japan
on the left and a RIVER BANK BY THE SEA landscape with
similar colors on the right.
The birds-eye view of the RIVER BANK BY THE SEA renders an
upstream small lake, a small waterfall feeding a stream flowing
all the way to the sea, and a bridge. On the bridge,
small carriages and passersby. A village on the left and a
forest to the right. The stream meanders between a sandy bank
on the left and a rocky one, with willow trees and reeds,
on the right. On the right side promontory, a Japanese
temple. Few fishing boats cross the reflection of the
afternoon sun on the calm waters of the sea.
ZOOM OUT, DISSOLVE TO:
1. RIVER BANK BY THE SEA - LOW TIDE - AFTERNOON
WIDE VIEW - FROM ABOVE THE LAKE TOWARD THE BRIDGE
A MAN stands by a tree trunk on the sandy patch of the river
bank. The sandy patch is bordered by a bluff, further rising
to a plateau with big boulders covered by moss and few
blossoming trees.
A couple of white clouds in the sky. The late afternoon
orange sun shines over the red wooden railings of the bridge.
On the bridge, PEOPLE walk and PONIES haul small carriages.
Colored ivy with flowers hangs down along the stone pillars
supporting the bridge. On the other side of the river bank,
willow trees rest their hanging branches on the stony bank
between the reeds and wet underwater grass.
DISSOLVE TO:
MEDIUM VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE TOWARD THE SANDY BANK
SOUND SPECIAL EFFECT (SFX): Sound of the water stream
Wei Sheng (40), a Buddhist of past Millenniums, dressed in
traditional Japanese clothing, with head shaved around a
conch at the top, face features slightly resembling Ryunosuke
Akutagawa, stands by the vertical branch of the trunk, looking
up at the bridge.
He walks toward the bridge along the small, rapid stream,
adding more geta footprints to the to and fro tracks in the
sand. Long sun shadows.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Wei Sheng, lingering under the
bridge, had been waiting for his
Lady to come.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM VIEW FROM THE SANDY BANK TOWARD THE BRIDGE
MEN carry loads or haul rickshaws. WOMEN of various ages walk
holding colorful sun umbrellas. The long sashes of their kimonos
flutter in the breeze.
SFX: Traffic on the bridge.
CUT TO:
EXTREME CLOSE-UP ON WEI
His eyes shift from right to left, then lock and open wide.
CUT TO:
CLOSE-UP ON WEI
Animated, he stretches his neck to see better.
But his animation subsides, and he lowers his head.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
But still the Lady did not come.
Disappointed, he walks back to the trunk.
SFX: Traffic on the bridge diminishes, stream flowing
increases.
DISSOLVE TO:
MEDIUM VIEW - FROM THE BRIDGE TOWARD THE SANDY BANK - LATER
The late afternoon sun bathes the area in a softer light.
Sitting on the trunk, Wei turns his head down from the bridge
to the flowing water. The increasing level of the stream wets
his getas. Longer sun shadows.
He looks across the stream at -- the reeds and willow trees
NARRATOR
Along the water's edge fresh reeds
grew densely, and rounded willows
were growing in abundance among the
river reeds.
-- then upstream at the small, six feet high waterfall, a
couple of Melaleuca trees and flowers adorning its ledge.
SFX: Waterfall increases, stream diminishes.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM VIEW TOWARDS THE BRIDGE - LATER
SFX: Traffic on the bridge.
A YOUNG WOMAN dressed in white, and holding a red umbrella,
stops by the railing.
Wei stands up from the trunk.
SFX: The bridge's traffic fades away.
MUSIC: "Waiting" theme in crescendo.
CUT TO:
CLOSE VIEW TOWARD THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE
The Young Woman looks down to the river bank.
CUT TO:
CLOSE-UP ON WEI
Animated, Wei opens his eyes wide, hope revived by the
appearance of the Young Woman. The sun light blinds him. He
shades his eyes to better see her.
MUSIC: "Faith" theme at the peak volume.
CUT TO:
CLOSE VIEW TOWARD THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE
The Young Woman turns away and disappears in the passersby's
crowd.
MUSIC: "Faith" theme fades out.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
But still the Lady had not come.
DISSOLVE TO:
2.RIVER BANK BY THE SEA - FLOOD TIDE - SUNSET
WIDE VIEW - FROM AN ELEVATION ABOVE THE WATERFALL LAKE TOWARD
THE OCEAN
At sunset, the fishing boats return to the shore. On the
bridge, a PEASANT prods a slow MULE to haul faster the
carriage.
The increasing tide swelled the stream into a larger, albeit
slower river, and covered most of the sandy patch and the
boulders on the opposite bank.
DISSOLVE TO:
MEDIUM VIEW - WEI IN PROFILE
Wei sits on the trunk and, hunched over his knees, looks at
the -- water slowly flowing through his ankles. In the
background, the increasing tide raised the water level close
the top of the waterfall.
He straightens and looks up at the -- tips of the willow
trees' branches floating in the water.
He pulls a flute from his belt and plays a tune to the river.
SFX: Sound of "Faith" theme
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Quietly blowing on his flute, Wei
Sheng looked down. Only that strip
of the yellow sand was not yet
invaded by the water of the stream.
Like an obi sash ... the water was
quietly undulating among the reeds.
LONG VIEW - TOWARD THE SEA
The long meandering river resembles a spread-out sash,
decorated with ripples glittering in the setting sun, and
willow branches and underwater grass floating around
vortexes.
The setting sun softens the landscape's afternoon colors. Wei
finishes the song and looks up the empty bridge. And waits.
Longest shadows.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
But the Lady-the Lady had not yet
come.
DISSOLVE TO:
3. THE STAIRS AND THE BRIDGE - FLOOD TIDE - TWILIGHT
MEDIUM VIEW TOWARD THE STAIRS AND BRIDGE HEAD
NARRATOR
For some time the footsteps of
passers-by had ceased. The sound of
neither shoe nor hoof, nor roll of
carriage could be heard...
Wei climbs up from the water-covered first step. Water drips
from his feet and getas.
He walks toward the middle of the bridge.
ZOOM OUT TO:
LONG VIEW - TOWARD THE BRIDGE AND VILLAGE
WOMAN TWO, wearing an elaborate kimono obi, two long sashes
from the front fluttering in the wind, walks toward Wei.
ZOOM IN:
CLOSE VIEW TOWARD THE WOMAN
Woman Two (30)graciously walks holding a white puppy on her
arms.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM VIEW - TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE
Wei and Woman Two approach the middle of the bridge. Wei
stops.
CUT TO:
CLOSE VIEW ON WEI
He intently looks at Woman Two.
CUT TO:
CLOSE VIEW ON WOMAN TWO
She is scared.
ZOOM OUT TO:
MEDIUM VIEW - TOWARD THE WOMAN
She frightfully embraces her dog -- who barks -- and
hurriedly walks away, at some distance around Wei.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM VIEW - REVERSE TOWARD WEI AND WOMAN
Rushing away, Woman Two furtively throws another fearful
glance toward Wei.
Wei lowers his head, resigned.
MUSIC: Faint tune of "Faith" theme.
DISSOLVE TO:
4. THE BRIDGE AND RIVER BANK - HIGH TIDE - NIGHT
WIDE VIEW TOWARD TO WATERFALL AND THE SKY
The sky throws a bluish shade over the lake and the
boulders, trees and flowers at the top of the waterfall. The
yellow full moon, rising above the lake, highlights the
contours of the bridge's railing. The increasing tide widened
the river and brought it to the level of the waterfall lake.
Wei stands by the railing of the bridge.
ZOOM IN:
MEDIUM VIEW - TOWARD THE WATERFALL AND LAKE
Wei looks at the still, level water of the river and lake.
A green heron crosses the large disk of the rising moon.
SFX: Faint sound of lapping water, a gust of wind, then
a strong heron wailing.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The sound of wind, the sound of
reeds, the sound of water-then from
somewhere shrilly came the cry of a
green heron....And yet the Lady did
not come.
DISSOLVE TO:
MEDIUM VIEW - FROM THE WATER UP TO THE BRIDGEHEAD AND STAIRS
One foot on the first dry step down, the other in the water
covering the second one, Wei looks at the river.
Hesitant, he keeps stepping down and advancing in the river
until the water reaches his chest.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
But still-his Lady had not come.
He grabs the floating trunk by the thin branch.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM VIEW - DOWN TO WEI FROM THE BRIDGE
Holding the trunk, Wei stands still looking at the dark blue,
water. A fish jumps splashing and rippling the moon
reflection with concentric circles. The spine of another fish
swimming by Wei draws V-shape ripples.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Meanwhile, gradually came the water
one sun, one shaku…brimming with
light colder than steel…
CUT TO:
MEDIUM VIEW - FROM BEHIND WEI UP TOWARD THE BRIDGE
The moon lights Wei's shoulders and his head turned up toward
the ivy hanging on the stone pillars and the railing of the
bridge.
NARRATOR
Wei Sheng, standing in the water,
still embraced some hope as he cast
his eyes many times at the sky
above the bridge.
DISSOLVE TO:
5. RIVER BANK BY THE SEA - REFLUX - MIDNIGHT
MEDIUM VIEW - DOWN TO WEI FROM THE BRIDGE
Mist clumps rise from the water. Wei looks at the ripples
formed by the water slowly flowing around his body. The
floating willow branches and weaving watergrass extend toward
him.
SFX: Leaves and reeds rustling.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Through the evening mist the
cluttered reeds and willows sent
only the sad sound of rustling
reeds and leaves.
A koi fish nudges the floating flute away from Wei.
CUT TO:
CLOSE UP ON WEI
Looking up, Wei takes a deep breath and lowers his head in
the water.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
And still the Lady had not come.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM VIEW TOWARD THE RIVER
SFX: Slight gusts of wind, leaves and reeds rustling
intensifies.
Hand resting on the trunk, Wei floats on his back, his kimono
spreading out in the water.
A gust of wind rises the mist, rustles the reeds, and throws
a cluster of leaves on the river.
DISSOLVE TO:
TRACKING VIEW TOWARD THE RIVER
The slow river retreating toward the ocean carries Wei's body
under the bridge. The cluster of the leaves surrounds his body,
and small, slow vortexes ripple the reflection of the full moon.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
At midnight, when the moonlight
spilled into the river reeds, and
the willows, the waters, and the
breeze were communing in whispers,
the body of Wei Sheng was gently
borne from beneath the bridge
towards the sea...
On the other side of the bridge, the meandering river carries
Wei by the village and, accompanied by the moon's round
reflection, all the way to the ocean.
ZOOM OUT TO:
WIDE VIEW - FROM THE BRIDGE TOWARD THE SEA
SFX: Leaves and reeds fade away.
MUSIC: "Transcendental" theme in crescendo.
A couple of small clouds hang in the starry, dark blue sky.
The shining moon throws a short reflection at the mouth of
the river. Wei's body crosses the moon reflection.
FREEZE FRAME
The colors of the sky and landscape at night CHANGE TO
NEGATIVE.
Wei's translucent, still body slowly rises from the
reflection of the moon toward the moon, its hand hanging down
as in a farewell gesture.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
… and stealing away from the
corpse, Wei Sheng's departing
spirit, just like the smell of
weeds and water rising from the
soundless river, rose up towards
the faintly glimmering sky.
Slowly rotating in its rise, Wei's spirit hand points at the
moon, then gradually diminishes and disappears into it.
ZOOM IN:
CLOSE-UP
The moon's surface irregularities briefly MORPH into the
faint kanji Japanese characters of loyalty and spirit then
fade away.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
But Wei Sheng's spirit, in the
lonely moonlight from heaven, would
probably reflect longing
thoughts...
DISSOLVE TO:
6. TRANSMIGRATION LANSCAPES - INVERTED COLORS
Winter. Bright sun over snowed bridges over water between
small islands with pagodas and colorful trees.
Summer. Moon over a town along a river flowing through smooth
hills and colorful trees towards a mountainous landscape. A
bridge between the hills.
Fall. A large river flowing through a big city with many
bridges. Trees in parks display autumn colors enhanced by the
setting sun.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Thousands of years thence, this
spirit...
Winter. New moon through clouds. Lights of the METROPOLIS'S
sky scrapers, highways, roads and traffic. A thin layer of
snow covers the METROPOLIS spreading along the ocean's bay. A
long bridge extends toward an island.
MUSIC: "Transcendental" theme in decrescendo.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
…having traversed in its time
countless transmigration…
DISSOLVE TO:
7. METROPOLIS IN SUMMER - SUN RISE
SFX: Humming of cars' traffic
WIDE VIEW - TOWARD THE BRIDGE AND BAY
The rising sun shines above the bridge. Traffic of colorful
cars and people jogging by the bridge's guardrails.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
…has surely been entrusted to life
in human form.
ZOOM IN:
MEDIUM VIEW - FROM THE BEACH TOWARD THE BRIDGE
On the beach, a MAN sits on the trunk of a tree facing the
rising sun.
ZOOM IN:
CLOSE VIEW FROM BEHIND THE MAN
The Man reads a book, a portion of a manga panel visible
around his shoulder.
SFX: Susurration of waves on pebbles.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM VIEW - REVERSE TOWARD THE MAN
RYU (30), an albino man resembling Ryunosuke Akutagawa,
modern hairstyle, closes the last fold of the accordion manga
book.
Thoughtful, he turns his head to look at the -- faint disk of
the moon.
RYU (V.O.)
This spirit is the spirit that
dwells in me; and I-born in this
modern times... live a life like
...that Wei Sheng beneath the
bridge at dusk...
He turns his head back toward the bridge and squint in the
sun light.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM VIEW - FROM BEHIND THE MAN
The sun is above the bridge. A DOG runs along the water line
of the beach. A GIRL runs after it. A YOUNG MAN and WOMAN,
holding hands and laughing, run after the girl.
END
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