"Village of the Watermills" Summary (English)
"Village of the Watermills" is a screenplay from Akira Kurosawa's film "Dreams". The story follows a young man who visits a peaceful village where people live in harmony with nature. The village has no electricity and relies on watermills for power. The young man meets a 103-year-old man who is working on the gears of a watermill. Through their conversation, the old man explains the villagers' simple way of life. They use candles and linseed oil for light, cows and horses instead of tractors, and firewood and dung as fuel. The old man criticises modern life, saying that people have forgotten they are part of nature and are destroying the environment through pollution. He believes in living naturally as humans used to live. The young man observes children placing flowers on a stone near a bridge, which is a tradition honouring a traveller who died there long ago. He also witnesses a joyful funeral procession for a 99-year-old woman. The old man explains that in their village, death at a ripe old age is celebrated because the person lived a long, productive life. The screenplay presents a contrast between modern conveniences and traditional ways of living, questioning whether progress has truly improved human life.
സംഗ്രഹം (Malayalam)
"വില്ലേജ് ഓഫ് ദ വാട്ടർമിൽസ്" അകിര കുറോസാവയുടെ "ഡ്രീംസ്" എന്ന ചിത്രത്തിലെ ഒരു തിരക്കഥയാണ്. പ്രകൃതിയുമായി യോജിപ്പിൽ ആളുകൾ ജീവിക്കുന്ന സമാധാനപരമായ ഒരു ഗ്രാമം സന്ദർശിക്കുന്ന ഒരു യുവാവിനെ പിന്തുടരുന്നതാണ് കഥ. ഗ്രാമത്തിൽ വൈദ്യുതിയില്ല, വൈദ്യുതിക്കായി ജലചക്രങ്ങളെ ആശ്രയിക്കുന്നു. യുവാവ് 103 വയസ്സുള്ള ഒരു വൃദ്ധനെ കണ്ടുമുട്ടുന്നു, അദ്ദേഹം ഒരു ജലചക്രത്തിന്റെ ഗിയറുകളിൽ പ്രവർത്തിക്കുകയാണ്. അവരുടെ സംഭാഷണത്തിലൂടെ, ഗ്രാമവാസികളുടെ ലളിതമായ ജീവിതരീതി വൃദ്ധൻ വിശദീകരിക്കുന്നു. അവർ വെളിച്ചത്തിനായി മെഴുകുതിരികളും അവണയെണ്ണയും, ട്രാക്ടറുകൾക്കു പകരം പശുക്കളെയും കുതിരകളെയും, ഇന്ധനമായി വിറകും ചാണകവും ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നു. ആളുകൾ തങ്ങൾ പ്രകൃതിയുടെ ഭാഗമാണെന്ന് മറന്നുപോയെന്നും മലിനീകരണത്തിലൂടെ പരിസ്ഥിതിയെ നശിപ്പിക്കുകയാണെന്നും പറഞ്ഞ് വൃദ്ധൻ ആധുനിക ജീവിതത്തെ വിമർശിക്കുന്നു. മനുഷ്യർ ജീവിച്ചിരുന്ന പോലെ സ്വാഭാവികമായി ജീവിക്കുന്നതിൽ അദ്ദേഹം വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നു. പാലത്തിനടുത്തുള്ള ഒരു കല്ലിൽ കുട്ടികൾ പൂക്കൾ വയ്ക്കുന്നത് യുവാവ് നിരീക്ഷിക്കുന്നു, ഇത് വളരെ മുമ്പ് അവിടെ മരിച്ച ഒരു യാത്രക്കാരനെ ആദരിക്കുന്ന ഒരു പാരമ്പര്യമാണ്. 99 വയസ്സുള്ള ഒരു സ്ത്രീയുടെ സന്തോഷകരമായ ശവസംസ്കാര ഘോഷയാത്രയും അദ്ദേഹം കാണുന്നു. അവരുടെ ഗ്രാമത്തിൽ, നല്ല പ്രായത്തിലെ മരണം ആഘോഷിക്കപ്പെടുന്നുവെന്ന് വൃദ്ധൻ വിശദീകരിക്കുന്നു, കാരണം ആ വ്യക്തി നീണ്ട, ഉൽപ്പാദനപരമായ ജീവിതം നയിച്ചു. ആധുനിക സൗകര്യങ്ങളും പരമ്പരാഗത ജീവിതരീതികളും തമ്മിലുള്ള വ്യത്യാസം അവതരിപ്പിക്കുന്ന തിരക്കഥ, പുരോഗതി യഥാർത്ഥത്തിൽ മനുഷ്യജീവിതം മെച്ചപ്പെടുത്തിയോ എന്ന് ചോദ്യം ചെയ്യുന്നു.
About the Auteur - Akira Kurosawa
Akira Kurosawa was born in 1910 in Tokyo, Japan and died in 1998. He was a famous film director known all over the world. He made around 30 films during his career. Some of his most famous films are "Seven Samurai" and "Rashomon". These films are considered timeless classics that people still watch and enjoy today. Kurosawa was known for his innovative techniques in filmmaking and storytelling. His films beautifully blend action, drama, and philosophy. He received many awards for his work, including the Golden Lion at the 1951 Venice Film Festival. In 1990, he received an Academy Award (Oscar) for Lifetime Achievement. His films have influenced filmmakers all around the world. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of directors and cinema lovers. "Dreams" is one of his later films, made up of eight segments showing different dream-like stories.
While We Read (2 Mark Questions and Answers)
Question 1: Whom does the young man see near the wooden mills? What was the person doing?
Answer: The young man sees an old man with grey hair sitting near the wooden mills. He was adjusting the large gears of the watermill.
Question 2: What does the old man think of modern conveniences like electricity? Can we think of living without electricity now?
Answer: The old man thinks modern conveniences make people too dependent on easy things. He believes people throw out what is truly good. (Students should share their personal views on living without electricity in class discussion)
Question 3: The villagers use firewood and dung as fuel. What kinds of fuel do we use now?
Answer: Today we use petrol, diesel, cooking gas (LPG), electricity, coal, and natural gas as fuel. Some people are also using solar energy and biogas.
Question 4: Describe the old man's appearance when he comes out of the wooden house.
Answer: When the old man comes out, he is wearing a colourful dress and a hat. He is holding a pair of Shinto bells in his hand.
Question 5: How old is the old man? What, according to you, keeps the old man active and healthy even at his age?
Answer: The old man is 103 years old. He stays active and healthy because he lives a natural life, works regularly, eats simple food, breathes clean air, and lives in harmony with nature.
Let's Rewind (4 Mark Questions and Answers)
Question 1: How is the village described? Would you like to live in a village or in the city? Why?
Answer: The village is described as a peaceful place with several features:
- It has watermills that work using river water
- The riverbanks are picturesque with flowers
- There is no electricity, people use candles and linseed oil
- They use cows and horses instead of tractors
- They live in harmony with nature
- The environment is clean with fresh air and water
- People follow traditions and customs
- Life is simple and connected to the natural world
(Students should express their personal preference about living in a village or city with reasons in class discussion)
Question 2: How does the young man's interaction with the villagers challenge his views on modernity and the modern lifestyle? What does this tell us about the value of cultural exchange?
Answer: The young man's interaction challenges his views in several ways:
- He questions why the village has no electricity, but learns they don't need it
- He assumes modern conveniences are necessary, but sees people living happily without them
- He witnesses a joyful funeral instead of a sad one, changing his view on death
- He learns that simple living can be fulfilling and sustainable
- The old man's criticism of pollution makes him think about environmental destruction
- He realises that modern "progress" may not always be truly beneficial
This tells us about the value of cultural exchange:
- Different cultures offer different perspectives on life
- We can learn wisdom from traditional ways of living
- Cultural exchange broadens our understanding
- It helps us question our own assumptions
- We can combine the best of both traditional and modern worlds
- Respecting different lifestyles leads to better understanding
Question 3: What is your opinion of the villagers' notion of death as a cause for celebration rather than mourning?
Answer: The villagers' approach to death offers an interesting perspective:
- They celebrate when an elderly person dies after a long, productive life
- They believe such a death is natural and should be honoured
- The person is thanked for their hard work and contributions
- It shows acceptance of death as a natural part of life
- They only mourn when young people or children die, which they find unnatural
- The celebration reflects gratitude for a life well-lived
(Students should express their personal opinion on this practice, considering both traditional mourning and this celebratory approach)
Question 4: What do the film's visuals and sound effects reveal about the lifestyle of the villagers?
Answer: The visuals and sound effects reveal much about the villagers' lifestyle:
Visual elements show:
- Watermills working peacefully by the river
- Picturesque banks with flowers
- Simple wooden bridges and houses
- Children placing flowers on stones
- Colourful traditional clothing in funeral procession
- Natural surroundings with trees and flowing water
Sound effects reveal:
- Flowing water indicating connection to nature
- Cuckoo's call showing rich wildlife
- Jingling bells and music in procession
- Absence of modern noise like vehicles or machines
- Natural, peaceful sounds dominating the environment
Together they show:
- Life deeply connected to nature
- Peaceful, unhurried lifestyle
- Strong traditions and community bonds
- Respect for environment and simplicity
Additional Practice Questions
Question 5: What is the significance of the children placing flowers on the stone near the bridge?
Answer: The tradition of placing flowers has several significances. Originally, it began when villagers buried a sick traveller who died near the bridge and placed a stone on his grave with flowers. Over time, it became a custom where all villagers, especially children, place flowers as they pass by. Most people continue the tradition even though they don't know its origin. This shows how communities preserve compassion and respect for others through traditions. It demonstrates the villagers' kind nature and their way of honouring the dead. The fact that the tradition continues without people knowing why shows how cultural practices become part of daily life and are passed down through generations.
Question 6: What message does the screenplay convey about pollution and environmental destruction?
Answer: The old man delivers a strong message about environmental destruction. He says that today people have forgotten they are part of nature. They think they can make life easier by using modern technology, but they are actually destroying the nature they depend on. He emphasises that the most important things for humans are clean air, clean water, and the trees and plants that produce them. However, everything is being polluted: water is dirty, air is dirty, and even the human heart is polluted. The message is clear: humans are destroying their own life support system. The screenplay warns that by harming nature, humans are ultimately harming themselves and will perish if they continue on this path.
Activity 1 - Themes and Ideas (Completed Table)
Theme: Living in harmony with nature
Explanation: The villagers follow eco-friendly practices. Instead of cutting down living trees, they use dead trees for firewood. They use watermills for power and rely on natural resources sustainably.
Theme: Life and death
Explanation: Life and death are portrayed as quite natural. Death and funerals are seen as occasions to honour a person rather than to mourn them, especially when someone dies at a ripe old age after a fulfilling life.
Theme: Tradition vs Modernity
Explanation: The screenplay contrasts traditional living with modern lifestyle. The villagers reject modern conveniences like electricity and tractors, preferring their traditional methods. The young man represents modern thinking, while the old man represents traditional wisdom.
Theme: Community and customs
Explanation: The villagers maintain strong community bonds through shared customs like placing flowers on the stone and celebrating funerals together. These traditions unite the community and preserve their values.
Theme: Simplicity and contentment
Explanation: The villagers find happiness in simple living. They don't need modern conveniences to be content. The old man at 103 says life is exciting and good, showing that simplicity brings true satisfaction.
Theme: Respect for elders and wisdom
Explanation: The old man at 103 is still active and respected in the community. His wisdom about life and nature is valued. The screenplay shows that traditional societies honour age and experience.
Understanding Screenplay Format
A screenplay is different from a story or novel. It includes:
- Scene headings showing location and time (EXT. VILLAGE - DAY)
- Character names in capital letters before dialogue
- Dialogue spoken by characters
- Action descriptions in present tense
- Camera directions (wide shot, close-up, long shot)
- Sound effects mentioned (cuckoo's sound, jingling bells)
- Stage directions in brackets showing character actions
This format helps directors, actors, and crew understand how to film the story.
Key Vocabulary
Watermill: A mill that uses water power to grind grain or generate power
Picturesque: Visually attractive, especially in a charming or unusual way
Conveniences: Things that make life easier and more comfortable
Linseed oil: Oil obtained from flax seeds, used for lighting
Cultivate: To prepare and use land for growing crops
Perish: To die or be destroyed
Procession: A group of people moving forward in an organised manner
Deceased: A person who has died
Cemetery: A burial ground for the dead