A Pool Without Water (1982) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A frustrated man's descent into suspected sexual violence is presented through unstable boundaries between dreams, evidence, fear, and desire.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Dreams Without Evidence

The film introduces a woman whose possible assault cannot be separated from sleep and desire. Man is then shown trapped in a humiliating subway job.

Key Events

• Uncertain Dream Testimony — A woman describes an uncertain possible assault during sleep. Characters: Man, Detective Location: Under a tree
• Reality And Desire Blur — She cannot distinguish a physical assault from a dream. Characters: Man, Detective Location: Under a tree
• Ticket Office Humiliation — Man is humiliated by passengers and supervisors at work. Characters: Man Location: Subway ticket office
• Angry Workplace Clash — An angry confrontation with a colleague worsens Man's situation. Characters: Man Location: Subway ticket office
• Loss Of Employment — Man loses his job after the workplace conflict. Characters: Man Location: Subway station

A New Uniform Of Power

After losing his job, Man joins a private security organization that promises expanded powers. He reframes unstable patrol work as political surveillance.

Key Events

• Loss Of Employment — Man loses his job after the workplace conflict. Characters: Man Location: Subway station
• Security Company Interview — Interviewers promise expanded arrest powers and police replacement. Characters: Man Location: Private security organization
• Unstable Patrol Work — Man is hired and presents nightly patrols as political surveillance. Characters: Man Location: City streets
• Miku Reappears — Man meets Miku, whom he previously helped in the park. Characters: Man, Miku Location: Park
• Warnings About Windows — Miku warns Man, and he tells her to lock her windows. Characters: Man, Miku Location: Park

Desire Enters The House

Man reconnects with Miku and becomes involved with Nerika. Nerika's headaches and fragmented dreams turn their intimacy into suspicion.

Key Events

• Nerika At The Bar — Man spends time with Nerika, who works at the bar. Characters: Man, Nerika Location: Bar
• Invitation Home — Man eventually invites Nerika to stay at his house. Characters: Man, Nerika Location: Bar
• Fragmented Dreams — Nerika suffers headaches and describes strange fragmented dreams. Characters: Nerika Location: Nerika's home
• Suspected Home Intrusion — Nerika suspects someone entered while she slept; Man denies visiting. Characters: Man, Nerika Location: Nerika's home

The Chemical Threshold

Man obtains chloroform while denying the implications of his nighttime behavior. Violence at the bar and a Yakuza disturbance further destabilize the situation.

Key Events

• Chloroform Acquisition — Man acquires chloroform by claiming it is for experiments. Characters: Man Location: A supplier's premises
• Bar Attack — A possessive unknown man attacks Man at the bar. Characters: Man, Nerika Location: Bar
• Yakuza Disturbance — The Yakuza cause another disturbance at the bar. Characters: Man, Nerika, Yakuza Location: Bar
• Man's Psychological Detachment — Man becomes unemployed, hostile, and increasingly detached. Characters: Man Location: City streets

Testimony Without Closure

Nerika calls for help and the women speak to the Detective. One complaint is withdrawn, and the ending preserves uncertainty about reality, imagination, and responsibility.

Key Events

• Nerika Calls For Help — Nerika cries for help and reports that a pervert entered the house. Characters: Nerika Location: Nerika's home
• Statements To The Detective — The women give statements, but one withdraws her complaint. Characters: Man, Nerika, Detective Location: Detective's interview setting
• Unresolved Silence — The film ends without resolving whether the assaults were real or imagined. Characters: Man, Nerika, Miku, Man, Detective Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Uncertain Opening — The film begins with testimony that immediately makes reality and imagined assault difficult to separate.
  • Dream Testimony — The Woman in the shade of a tree describes a disturbing experience during sleep.
  • Reality Doubt — She cannot determine whether the encounter was physical or dreamed.
• Workplace Collapse — Man's humiliation and anger destroy his limited position at the subway.
  • Ticket Office Humiliation — Passengers and supervisors repeatedly humiliate Man at work.
  • Job Loss — An angry confrontation with a colleague is followed by Man losing his job.
• False Authority — Man enters private security work and adopts the language of surveillance and public protection.
  • Security Interview — Interviewers promise that the organization will gain arrest powers and replace the police.
  • Night Patrols — Man presents his unstable nighttime activities as political surveillance.
• Entangled Relationships — Miku and Nerika reveal contrasting forms of trust, concern, intimacy, and fear.
  • Miku's Warning — Miku thanks Man, warns him to be careful, and hears his advice about locking windows.
  • Nerika's Invitation — Man spends time with Nerika at the bar and invites her to stay at his house.
• Intrusion And Violence — Nerika's symptoms and the surrounding violence intensify suspicion around Man.
  • Fragmented Dreams — Nerika suffers headaches and describes strange dreams after suspecting a home intrusion.
  • Chemical Threat — Man obtains chloroform while a bar attack and Yakuza disturbance increase the danger.
• Testimony Without Closure — Reports reach the Detective, but the investigation cannot establish a stable version of events.
  • Nerika Calls — Nerika cries for help and reports that a pervert broke into the house.
  • Withdrawn Complaint — The women give statements, but one ultimately says she is not a victim and withdraws the complaint.

Directed by

Kōji Wakamatsu

Key Cast

• Yuya Uchida — Man
• Mie — Jun
• Yumiko Fujita — Sumie
• Reiko Nakamura — Nerika
• Akemi Shima — Miku