Weeds on Fire (2016) - full transcript

Lung, this is Keung

Remember me?

Next month is Shatin Martins' 30th anniversary

We all want to see you

The principal said to make sure you're coming

Where are you?

Like everyone here

I didn't want to lose

I've almost forgotten how it feels

to not want to lose

"1984"



30 years ago

I played a match not many knew about

in a field no one knew about

Salute

I resign myself to your guidance

I resign myself to your guidance

Lung!

Lung!

I am Lung

This is my story

"Wo Che Estate, Shatin"

This was my best friend, Wai

Not only were we neighbours,

we were classmates since kindergarten



Charge!

Perhaps because he can run faster than me

I only ever saw his back

Tse Chi Lung, faster! Stop dragging your feet!

Go to hell!

Still throwing? Come down!

Did you get them?

Got the old guy

Don't run, you little bastards!

I was always the target of bullies

But he always stood up for me

To me,

he was a big tree

Big trees give good shade

Steal from my bro? Want your ass kicked?

Want a puff?

Piece of shit!

It's Ken Choi. Must be that scoundrel's

Are you stupid? Who wants to listen to Ken Choi?

Ditch it!

This is Shatin's

lowest-tier school

Kei Kok College

Damn!

Reading Touch again?

Man up, for God's sake!

No matter how unruly we were

we still feared someone

That's Principal Lu, aka the Chalk Principal

He never missed a shot

ls that how you behave in class?

You are right, Principal Lu

That's how we roll!

But when it came to sports,

we gave our all

Wai always told me,

Sports are the male animal's battleground

You can lose in anything in life
except for sports

I prayed that the ball
would never land in my hands

The District Council is giving its
HK$630,000 surplus

To schools for sports promotion

I'd like to know what you principals think

Here!

Lung!

Lung,shoot!

Don't waver!

Mr. Tsang

This $630,000

I want it all

I want to use the money

to set up a baseball team

Baseball? What's that?

It'll be Hong Kong's

first ever youth baseball team

That was easy

Thank goodness the opponent's a moron

Thanks, Bye

Pitched like he was convulsing

Why are we always playing with losers?

Beat him up!

HK$ 630,000!

Good for a 1000 sq ft apartment in City One!

Talk about fair allocation!

Principal Lu, don't kid yourself
about the quality of your students

They'll just fight each other

with baseball bats

Money should be spent on bad students!

I always bring this ball with me

I believe this ball

will change my students!

We're...

...in deep shit

Have a seat

Hey

Are you interested in playing baseball?

Do you think it was a trap?

I think there are daggers in his smile!

Are you chickening out?

A little

But Why?

It's just extracurricular stuff!

Hurry home and have dinner

There were no secrets in a public housing estate

I knew dad conned mom into coming to Hong Kong

That's why she's always despised him

But somehow,

I felt more sorry

for him

From now on, not only am I your principal,

but your coach as well

Sorry, sir! Class went overtime

We're all here

I'll be taking you to matches

Your opponents will not come from local schools

They'll be Americans,

Australians

and Japanese

You mean the World Cup!

Shut up, will you?

Next,

We will be training six days a week

What?

Six days? I got stuff to do!

Principal

You might as well kick me out of school!

Wai, and Lung

5 minutes late, an extra 25 laps

50 laps for everyone

But I was on time, sir!

Want me to run with you?

Run!

Remember!

Win as a team! Lose as a team!

Those morons are playing

Baseball consists of:
pitching, batting, catching and running

Hit the ball, run around the four bases

Return to home plate, and that's one point!

What the hell? I have no idea what's going on

Did I hear someone curse?

Are you a gangster?

Everyone

100 push-ups

Now!

Serves you right!

I told you

But you were lazy

Seriously,

such losers

Listen

Once you're on the team

It's not about you

it's about the team

No matter what happens on the field

do not curse!

One hundred!

Baseball is a defense-led sport

The pitcher is crucial.
That's where the defense begins

Spectators will have their eyes on the pitcher

and will often overlook the catcher.

Attack begins when the hitter hits the ball

To get to a base,
you need to be faster than the ball

You gain one point after covering all four bases

Eyes on the ball!

They say only fools

were forced to join the team by the principal

But for myself, a first-timer,

it was the proudest thing I'd ever done

My teammate Keung's family ran a food stall

He loved to talk

He'd fire off

like a machine gun

Until he was stopped

Brother, did you apply for public housing?

I did!

He's Dung

Some years ago, he and his dad

stole into HK
before the touch base policy was abolished

Not all mainlanders have accents

Some speak better Cantonese than we do

All right! Stop yelling!

Water's boiling!

Got it!

Monitor is our school's only bookworm

Looking wimpy gets you bullied

Stop messing!

Stop messing around! Move it!

Wow!

Oh my god!

She dropped her goods

Done washing your face yet?

Let's go!

Still not back?

When did a team of that come to our school?

Hi, I'm Wai

I saw that kill you made...

She ignored you, now she's in the toilet

Keep an eye out for me

What's your name?

This is the ladies room!

I know, so?

Why are you here?

You're my eye candy. Let's be friends

Pal, aren't you a few years younger than me?

Shouldn't be a problem

for friendship

I'm going to scream if you don't leave!

Tell me your name and I'll go

Wai

Let's go! Spittoon's here!

Wait!

Let's go!

- You go first!
- I go first?

I go first?

Wai

You two come out right now!

Was it fun going to the ladies room?

If the cops were called,

You could end up in jail!

Stand and contemplate your deeds!

"I will never enter the ladies room again"

It's all your fault!

What?

Never seen someone get punished?

I read Touch

because of this girl

I had noticed her for a long time

I wanted to get to know her

but never got the courage

If she knew I played baseball,

would she be my friend?

Boss!

Long time no see, what've you been up to?

Got dragged into baseball by our principal

Great

Those bats

could smash some heads!

Frankly, I envied him

He was well-connected and bold with girls

I was so awkward

Save your breath, Keung

Three Fingers

Hurry up!

Now watch me!

No way! Just look at you!

Wow!

Genius pitcher? Save your breath

I'm the only one fit to pitch

Lung, you be the catcher,

catch the balls I pitch

Think you're the boss?

- Why don't you
- Good idea

pitch and catch,
and be the spectators too?

Got it, Mr Tsang

Don't worry

I won't let you down

Would you set up the team without the money?

Soon, we had a name

The Shatin Martins

Bring your stuff, come to the field with me

We're playing our first game

Wow!

With Japanese or Caucasian chicks?

Most of Hong Kong's baseball fields
were built on service reservoirs

This is the Japanese team's field

Shut up!

Coach Choya

This is Coach Lu from Hong Kong

See you later

Gosh! Not with them!

We're doomed...

Today, you're playing...

with this team here

Shatin Martins vs Taichung Little League

And the game begins!

One, two, three

We resign ourselves to your guidance

Ho, 1st batter

Dung's here, you're doomed

Dung! Oh Shit...

Strike!

Wow!

Monitor, 2nd batter

Strike out!

Oh...

Keung, 3rd batter

Yes!

Go for it, Keung!

And the hero saves the day

Just watch me!

Play Ball!

Whoa!

I told you to keep a firm grip on the bat!

You could've killed someone! Are you crazy?

Can't count on you guys!

And you call that heroic?

Let me show you how it's done!

Bro, three outs

Next inning! Didn't listen
when I read the rules, did you?

Come back! Wai

You're only good at bluffing

Get some brains, dumbass

The ball!

Got finger cramps?

You come and pitch then, smart guy!

Oh!

Is it a homerun?

Result of today's match

Taichung Little League 39

Shatin Martins 0

Taichung Little League wins!

Don't tell anyone what happened today

Worried they'll know
you're physically challenged?

Replace the pitcher and we would have won

Tell them that kids kicked our asses?

You cramp our style!

Stop that! We'll win next time, alright?

Nonsense,

what do you expect
when kids kicked our asses?

Let's go

It's no fun

The whole field's yours, smart guy!

I already told you not to waste your time

You can't change those delinquents

Lu, you took the money, and you lost the game

What a boss!

It was a friendly match

If you had won,
it'd be like your team was picking on little boys

It's my fault. I'm the one to blame

I owe you an apology

Sorry

Come, have some more

Come

I paid for it with my own money

Not with the HK$630,000

You're poor... so hang in there!

Watch out!

You're poor... so hang in there!

Fall in!

Who's poor?

I did so much to get the money
so we could form a team

Poor?

If you don't even respect yourself,

there's only one word to describe your life

Loser!

Lung! Time for practice

That game made me lose face

Wait! I am recording a song

I need to beat the Japanese. Remember?

Wait! Let me push the button

What are you doing? Jacking off?

Okay! The gate is falling apart!

Lung!

You're ruining the gate, asshole!

You were just lucky! Now watch!

Lucky?

Charge!

Faster, Lung!

Tired? Told you not to play with yourself!

After first base, you go for the second base!

Steal first base!

Go for it!

I want to pitch!

Stir-fried beef noodles! I got it

Tsingtao! No problem, I got it

Shit, what did the first guy order?

Monitor! Where are you off to?

Hey! Hey!

How dare you bully our Monitor!

Remember this

We're the Shatin Martins

We're here for you

Thank you

We got allocated an apartment!

We got it!

Bro! We got allocated an apartment!

An apartment! Yay!

Show them a homerun!

Yes!

Whoa!

Finally an apartment!

Ant!

I made second base. You?

Gosh, you're strolling!

Ant, bust a tire?

You'll never catch up to me!

And I repeat,

You'll never catch up to me!

Hey! Hey!

Stop it!

Stop fighting!

If you don't even respect yourself,

there's only one word to describe your life

and thats, 'Loser!'

Let go, Lung

Lung! Stop!

Wai! Let go!

That's enough, Wai!

You want more?

Lung!

Sweetheart, where do you live?

How come I've never seen you?

Scared? Don't be scared

What's your number?

Let me call you

What are you looking at?

Hey, why are you sprawled out here?

Don't be such a sissy

I was just playing around

Man, I still need it

Hey

What?

Take a wild guess

Which of us will leave this ghetto first?

How would I know? What a question

That year, Shatin became increasingly busy

New Town Plaza was built; Yaohan opened its doors

Dragon boats raced on Shing Mun River
for the first time

Many people moved here

Many people moved away

For ghetto boys like us,

success meant being able

to leave public housing

I think we need a slogan

How about 'Shatin Martins, Strike'?

What 'shine'?

'Strike' is an English word that means good shot

In a match...

Shut up!

Just use Shatin Martin, Shine!

Shatin Martin!

Shine!

Nope

Know what you're doing wrong?

The leg!

What about the knee?

The knee should be higher

Not high enough?

It's okay to lean backwards

Very good! Very good!

Again, again

Face me

Ready

Higher, right?

Ready,1,2,3

1, 2, 3, higher!

You peeked under my skirt!

What the hell?

You hit me with a ball,
and now you're still at it?

It hurts

You peeked under my skirt!

Sorry

She slept with me

What?

That volleyball chick!

I had wanted to apologize

when I saw her again

But when I did see her...

Lung

Why don't you just kill yourself?

Look at him, acting all cool

Brilliant!

He got killed twice in a row

Just forget it, I can do better than him

His hands are convulsing. Look at him!

Whoa!

My hand slipped, I couldn't help it

What kind of pitch is that, genius?

What did you say?

I'm talking about you, genius!

Son of a bitch!

Stop it!

Stop! Are you insane?

Stop!

Why are you fighting?

Did someone swear?

He did!

He said 'pump up and pitch'

Yes, 'pump up and pitch'

Explain 'pump up and pitch' to me!

What is 'pump up and pitch'?

Explain it!

I think it means...

'Pump up... and pitch'

Dung, 4th batter

Got it

Lik Wong, 5th batter

Yes

Wai, pitcher

Are you serious? Him?

That's it for today

Lung, come to my office after packing up

I want to have a word

What's going on?

Principal?

You can go now

What?

You can go

Go home

What happened?

Why did it take so long?

Nothing, he didn't say a word

Didn't say a word?

That can't be, are you lying to me?

It's true, he didn't say a word

No way

Was it about the ladies room incident?

He really didn't

Really?

"Little League Cup 1st Round"

"Grizzlies vs Shatin Martins"

Get out of the way, guys!

Don't worry

Asians rule! We'll kick their asses!

Move it

He cussed

What's that?

He said hello

I heard it

So?

Shatin Martins!

Shine!

Get it line draft guy!

Move it back and over!

Watch the ball!

Monitor! What are you doing?

I can't believe you missed!

Outfielder! Third base!

Loser, are you done daydreaming?

Loser!

Move it, will you?

You're dragging me down

I'm doomed!

Go! Go for it!

Stop! Stop!

Back! Back!

Quick! Come back!

So embarrassing

He never listens

I asked him to come back, he wouldn't listen

Well done, man

What a waste of good playing

He thinks he's a fast runner

What a waste

Go out and get ready, quick!

What was that?

What's going wrong with you man?

Sorry

You think it's funny huh?

It's English. Don't you understand?

Is that funny man?

What's your problem?

Sorry

Stop!

Stop!

Are you playing or fighting?

Are you delinquents?

Sorry

Back to your original positions!

Time!

Lung, take off your gear

Take off your gear

Swap places with Wai

What are you afraid of?

Everyone's waiting for you, get going!

Principal...

asked us to swap places

You two, plotting against me?

No wonder he only asked you to stay that day

I didn't lie to you

You didn't lie

If I quit now, would you quit?

You're all jealous of me!

It's your show now

Watch me make a fool of myself!

You want me over there? Just say so

Why send someone physically challenged over here?

You think I give a shit?

What did you just say?

This team is a joke, seriously

We lost 16 to 8 in that match

It was the first time I took off my mask

Being the centre of attention

did not feel good

HEY

Do you have a minute?

It's the old guy's doing

I had nothing to do with it

So what?

Are you that small-minded?

You shamed me in public,

and you call me small-minded?

Did the old geezer put a gun to your head?

When he told you to do it,

You could've said no

I quit, you quit - that's brotherhood

And now we're nothing!

I did it on purpose

I wanted you to stop hiding behind him

and losing your identity

Have you seen him?

Lung!

Shift your weight down

No need to pitch too high

Ball!

I said 'ball'!

Monitor!

What?

What do you think this is?

That you could come and go as you please

Who said you could come back?

Continue

How about this?

If you could finish 100 laps

before sundown

I'll forget about what happened in my office

Monitor

Count his laps

Yes, sir

What're you looking at?

Concentrate!

You got someone
who can barely coordinate his limbs

You think I give a shit?

What are you afraid of?

I quit, you quit - that's brotherhood

And now we're nothing!

Fall in

Monitor, lap count

He ran 50 laps

That's it for today

Principal!

You said so yourself,

Win as a team, lose as a team!

Sir, does that still apply now?

Shatin Shine!

What Shine?

Save your breath and run!

Charge!

Thanks for the hard work, Monitor

Welcome back! Lung!

When you find something

that proves your worth

It stays with you for life

A lot of things happened in Hong Kong that year

Many people said Hong Kong was changing

The Shatin Martins changed a lot too

Shatin Martins! Shine!

Principal Lu said
no one's indispensable to a team

I didn't buy that

But my team's performance showed that

Wai's absence had taught them

how to play well

Shatin Martins finally took off

We won five games in a row

and made it to the semi-finals

Missed again

Did you confirm the results?

There must've been a mistake

Are you sure it's mine?

How can you prove that it's mine?

Because I've only done it with you!

I didn't say anything during this meal

For I knew

A lot of things would change

Once I put them into words

Stronger steps

Have you forgotten?

Use the lower back

It's the finals after this match

Deal with your thoughts

and feelings now

During the game,

Once you're on the pitching mound,
you need to focus

There's no turning back once you step on

It's all about taking that half step

Continue!

"Little League Cup Semi Finals"

"Shatin Martins vs Rockets"

"Buffaloes vs Tigers"

Go!

Strike!

"Semi Finals"

"Buffaloes" "Shatin Martins"

"Little League Cup Finals"

"Buffaloes vs Shatin Martins"

Boss

Keep it

What's up? You don't look so good

Nothing, just family stuff

Can I borrow $3000 for an emergency?

Come here

I'm wondering if you have the balls for a job

Boss, call

"New Territories' first youth baseball team
takes on Japan's Buffaloes"

Anyone got soap?

Yes!

So many?

Monitor showers in his underpants!

I'm doing my laundry as well

Over his head!

Monitor

Are your underpants torn?

There are races on the river
during the Dragon Boat Festival

We're playing the Japs that day

As if I didn't know

Did I ever say I was going?

Nine months gone in the blink of an eye

Hey, let's not talk about this

Better think about how to beat the Japs

He's damn right

Given Lung's pitching skills

He'll conquer the Japs - guys and chicks alike

You shut up!

Hey,Lung

How's Wai these days?

I heard that

Wai got into trouble recently

How can you play the Japs pitching like that?

Believe in yourself

This is the only thing you're better at than me

Pitch with all your might

Who's the catcher now?

Dung

Dung is really crap

Can he do it?

If you stop

If you stop here, you lose

Relax your shoulder and reach out

You bastard, you've really improved

Are you coming back for tomorrow's match?

Don't worry, I'll come support you

Here's some dough for my girl, pass it to her

I'm kinda tied up

Working for your boss?

Didn't we come here to practice?

Let's throw some more while I'm here

Or you'll have to play against the wall!

Come on!

Wai told me to give you this

Does he want me to keep it or not?

I had a fight with my parents

I can't face them

Can you not leave me, please?

A lot has happened

in the run-up to the finals

I don't want tomorrow to come too quickly

I even prayed

That it'd rain, storm or whatever,

So it'd stop the match from happening

I hated this useless side of me

Give it your all

Wai

Wai, time to work

Wai

Open up, Wai

"Little League Cup Finals"

"Shatin Martins vs Buffaloes"

Buffaloes vs Shatin Martins

I trust in God

I love my country

and will respect its laws

and strive to win

But win or lose

I will always do my best

Salute

We resign ourselves to your guidance

We resign ourselves to your guidance

Go for it, Shatin Martins!

Go for it, Bro!

Most honoured

Here's to a great game

Thank you

Get it together!

Yes!

Strike!

Strike!

Strike out!

Strike out!

Strike out!

They pitched too fast for us
in the first three innings

We'll try to catch up in the fourth

Go!

Back!

Go!

Safe!

Dung! Go for it!

Bro, show me a homerun!

Shatin Martins! Hit!

Go!Go!Go!

Out!

Out!

Change!

Well done!

We will win the game!

Yes!

Look at the scoreboard

It's only the fourth inning!

Isn't it too soon

to give up?

I never said we had to win

But I did say

Never give up!

Play a good game for yourself

Show Principal a good match, will you?

Can you do it?

Yes

Can you do it?

Yes!

Shatin Martin! Shine!

Good!

Lung!

Don't be afraid

Lung“.

Are you alright?

Get help!

Can someone help?

Someone fainted!

Get help!

You can never catch up to me

Don't you pretend to black out

I'm not pulling you up

Can't you get up by yourself?

Pick yourself up where you fell

Always rely on yourself

Hang in there!

Go for it, Lung! We're hanging in there for you

"Second half, 9th inning"

"Buffaloes 12"

"Shatin Martins 13"

I thought that if I kept quiet,

Everything would stay the same

For all eternity, as I hoped it would

But the truth was, things changed

Despite what I had hoped for

I did try to change

But when I had summoned enough courage

It was already too late

I thought I would never grow up

That I could always be willful and irreverent

But reality is like the current situation

I suddenly find myself in the last inning

Lung!

Hang in there!

Show them what we've got!

Last pitch!

Shatin Martins! Shine!

I don't want to be passive anymore

I want to be in control

Of one thing in my life

Shatin Martins!
Blazed a trail in Hong Kong Baseball!

Thank you, Principal

Thank you all

Principal!

We didn't just overcome the Japanese

Right!

You overcame me

Right!

More importantly, you overcame yourselves!

Yes!

Shatin Martins!

"Mr. Lu, wish you good health and prosperity"

"New Territories' first Youth Baseball Team
to Take on Japan's Buffaloes"

Principal Lu never got married

He spent all his time on education and baseball

He helped build schools
for children in rural villages

We even gave him a nickname

The 'Mad Dog' Principal

As a gesture of recognition,

the colonial government

Named a bridge on the Shing Mun River

'Sand Martin Bridge'

In the face of change,

Some learn to adapt

and others choose to take it by the horns

For me,

the greatest change was

the tree I grew up with,
is not beside me anymore

This is the city where I grew up

It's become increasingly unfamiliar

The 80s were Hong Kong's golden era

and it's the era I miss the most

That year

I won a match no one knew about

I also lost something very dear to me

"Even though disappointed, do not lose hope"

But I learnt one thing

Winning or losing wasn't that important

The most important thing

is having the courage

to take that half a step

"Principal Lu Kwong Fai founded
the first Chinese youth baseball team"

"Shatin Martins in Kei Kok Primary School"

"Shatin Martins defeated
the powerful Japanese Buffaloes"

"and won the championship"

"Then Shatin District Officer Donald Tsang said"

"the team's founding was the most
memorable event in his political career"

"The team's founding members are indebted
to Principal Lu"

"for changing their lives"

"District youth baseball teams
for varying ages subsequently appeared"

"The founding members and Principal Lu
became the best of friends"