Blind Mountain (2007) - full transcript

China, the 1990s. In villages where female babies are drowned, there are few young women to marry the men and bear more sons. Families buy wives - girls lured from the city. Bai finishes college and accepts a job in a remote mountain village harvesting herbs. It's a ruse: she's sold to a peasant family. She's indignant; the parents hold her so the son can rape her. She tries to run away; she's beaten. Other women kidnapped a few years before, now with children, tell her to comply. She continues to try to escape. She writes to her father, smuggling letters to the mailman. She obtains a bit of money. The village is without pity, except for the teacher. Can he help her? Anger mounts.

Watch carefully. Let go of your finger.

Hi.

Two rooms. Our ID's.

My back kills me.
It's so difficult to earn a living.

I can't take much more either.

- Hey! Hu!
- What?

How much money are we going to make?

At least five hundred.

If we're lucky, even nine hundred.

Really?

Then I'll be able to pay back
my family's debt.



Certainly. After a few trips.

Hu, I'm so lucky to have met you.

I couldn't find a job
even after looking for a month.

My family paid my way through college,
but I still couldn't find a job.

If I can make some money,
I'll have you to thank.

Forget it.
After all, we're friends. Don't be silly.

I like helping others.
It's my way. Why be selfish?

Bai Xuemei, listen up.

This is going to be a tough job.

It doesn't seem tough.

Sounds like a fun way
to make a buck. Easy!

If the money is good,
I don't care how hard the work is.

That's good.

We found rare medicine herbs.
Let's see how well you do.



Manager Wu, don't worry.

She's got good people skills.

Just smile at them.

They'll be charmed
and we'll get a top price.

You're the one who'll make them go crazy.

- Oh, what a cutie!
- Stop it!

Not so hard.

Thanks.

Go play somewhere else.

We're going to look for the herb pickers.
Wait here. Keep an eye on our stuff.

Okay.

Mister!

Hello. Where's Manager Wu?

Who's that?

From the Chinese medicine company.

What company? Never heard of it.

Here's his business card.

Have you seen my wallet and I.D.?

I swear, we didn't take your stuff.

Thanks. I'll go look for them.

- Where are you going?
- What?

You can't leave.

What do you want?

Miss, I'll tell you.

Your family sold you to be my son's wife.

That's impossible. They're not family.

They hired me to work for them.

You could be lying.

The fact is I bought you for 7,000.
Now you're my son's wife.

Mister, they really aren't my family.

They lied to you. I'm going to the police.

You're not going anywhere.

This can't be happening!

Miss, all girls end up married.

You married my son,
so we'll treat you as family.

Are you out of your mind?

I beg you, let me go.

Grab her.

They are not my family.

I promise. Please, let me go.

Just ignore her. She'll tire of yelling.

What do you want?

Get out of here!

- Cheers!
- Drink or remain a bachelor!

Same for your son and grandson!
No women, ever!

Drink up or else no women
in your next life either!

Degui.

A pack of cigarettes.

- How was it?
- How was what?

- How'd it feel?
- What?

You know, in bed.

Real good.

You're full of it.
How do we know you really did it?

Because I did.

Oh yeah?
Tell me, are her tits big?

Shut the fuck up!

I can tell he didn't do it.

What a loser.

I know you're a good person.

Please let me go.

Eat first.

If you let me go,
I'll thank you for the rest of my life.

Please.

I'll be good to you just as long as you stay.

No way.

Then give me back the 7,000
and I'll let you go.

I'll write a letter to my father.

I'll ask him to send the money, okay?

You think I'm stupid?

Your father will bring the police.

I'll have wasted the money on you.

You know you could go to jail
for buying a wife?

Fuck jail! Everyone does it.

City people spend even more.

- What are you doing here?
- I can come if I want.

Not in bed with your wife?
You'd rather hang out with us?

What's it to you? I'll come if I want.

Your damn temper hasn't changed!

I bet she won't sleep with you.

If she won't sleep with you, just beat her.

Is this girl trying to rip you off?

It doesn't seem like it.

Be careful.

People are up to no good these days.
Don't let her run away.

Make sure you sleep with her first.

Get her pregnant,
and she won't want to run.

All you do is smoke.
Go use your dick for a change.

Go hump your wife.

- Snake eyes!
- I won!

Out all night! What good are you?

- Stop!
- Where are you going?

She's too strong.

You can't even handle a girl.
Are you a real man? Go!

My girl, all women go through this.

You have to get married too.

If you do this, we'll treat you well.

Get out!

We can't let her get away with this!
Come!

Damn it! Come and help.

Fuck!

Hello, Teacher Huang.

- Decheng, off to school?
- Yeah.

Degui, did you do it?

You bet. Come over for a drink soon.

Damn, look how happy you are.

Mister Degui, where's our wedding candy?

Get lost. What stupid candy?

No wedding candy, the groom wets his bed.

Get to school!

Fourth graders, work on homework.

Third graders, read with me.
Confucius goes to Lao Zi.

"Confucius was a famous teacher

early in his life.

He never felt he had enough knowledge.

At the age of 30,
he left his hometown of Qufu.

He went to Luoyang
to ask the philosopher Lao Zi to teach him."

Eat.

You can't change things.

You might as well take care of yourself.

I'm sorry, but I really had no choice.

When you have a child,
you'll know what I mean.

Our family spent so much money on you.
I hope you can do your duty as a wife.

Who married your son?
Animal! You're all animals!

Get out! Get out now!

What? Want a beating?

Go on, beat me to death!

Degui, forget it.

Forget it. That's enough.

Come back here.

- Help me!
- Get her! Stop her!

Help me!

Where are you fucking going?
Come back.

Hey, what's going on here?

Village Chief, she's trying to run away.

Help me! I was kidnapped!

Stop yelling.

If you were kidnapped,
what proof do you have?

You want to run away
even though they handed over a dowry?

Aren't you the one who's cheating them?

She must be faking marriage for the money.

I never took their money.

If I had, then I'd deserve jail.

Who'd fucking do that? Who'd pay me back?

Please help me. I'm telling the truth.

Who knows if you're telling the truth?
Where's your I.D.?

My I.D.? It was stolen.

You don't even have I.D.
How can anyone believe you?

Go on back with them for now.
The Chief will look into it.

It's settled. Go on back.

Go on.

Thanks.

I won't chain you up
if you stop trying to run away.

Fourth Uncle! Fourth Aunt!

Have a seat.

Get some water.

No thanks.

We're here to collect the pig tax.
The total is 38.40.

That's right.

I sold the pig two months ago.

Really? Did you pay any tax?

- Show us the receipt.
- Go get it.

Pig tax, pork tax, income tax.
Got to pay them all.

You still owe 18.20.

But we don't have any pigs now.

It doesn't matter.
That's the rule from above.

Don't make things hard on us.

Ignore her. My woman's gone crazy.

Help me!

We don't handle family matters.

You're damn lucky.

Control her. Words alone
can't get the fucking job done.

It's just like tax. Got to be forceful.

Okay.

Help me!

Stop yelling
or I'll beat your fucking mouth in.

Okay, that's enough.

Bitch, I can make you obey me.

Go on. That's enough.

Mom, how is she today?

She's been quiet.

Mom!

I need money.

My wife slit her wrist.

Go back inside and study.

Hurry and take her to the hospital.

Doctor!

- What?
- She slit her wrist.

- Go to the operation room.
- Go on! Hurry!

Doctor, please save my daughter-in-law.

- What happened?
- She slit her wrist.

Put her on the bed inside.

- Where's her husband?
- Here.

- Did you bring money?
- Yeah, but not much.

Go on. Go and pay.

Doctor, is she going to die?

Save her first.

You have to pay first.

Why's medicine so fucking expensive now?

Hospitals are all the same.
Doctors all get a cut.

This hospital is okay.
Larger ones are more corrupt.

Leave it to us. Don't worry.

Do you feel better?

I'm Chen. She's Deng.

Your mother-in-law asked us to talk to you.

She's not my mother-in-law.

Hold him.

Actually, we were bought like you.

Want to sit?

Listen.

You can't change things now.
Accept it or you'll make things worse.

That's right.

Just look at the mess in here.

Do you have a comb? I'll comb your hair.

Four years ago, I felt the same way.

I couldn't take my husband's beatings.

Chen, help me to escape.

You'll never make it.

Who doesn't want to escape?
There's only one road out.

It is blocked. There's no way out.

If I can't escape, I'd rather die.

Don't do anything crazy.

It's easy to die. Living is what's hard.

Just think of your parents.

You can't die without
having thanked them for bringing you up.

Wait until you can go about more freely.

Then think of a way to run away.

Chen, want a drink?

No thanks.

We have to go. Come see us soon.

- Take care.
- Okay.

Come and see me.

Why'd you buy two piglets?

Why not?
We have to pay the tax anyway.

- Where'd you get the money?
- Borrowed it.

You always borrow money.
See if you can pay it back.

Women don't understand shit.

- Fourth Uncle.
- You're here. Come in.

- Did you buy these piglets?
- Borrowed them.

- Where's my cousin?
- In the field.

Cousin, are you feeling better?

I'm not your cousin!

Sorry. I'm your husband's cousin.
My name is Decheng.

My name means "integrity."

You're that teacher.
Thanks for saving my life.

I didn't do anything.

I've wanted to stop by.

Teacher Huang,
just call me by my first name.

I shouldn't. Don't call me "teacher."
You were in school longer than me.

I brought you a few books.
I hope you'll like them.

I don't have any good books.

Uncle, see you!

You just read those stupid books!
Feed the pigs!

Are you trying to burn the pigs?

If anything happens to them,
I'll beat you to death!

Come eat!

Village Chief! Village Chief!

What is it?

She wants to see you.

Oh, your case. I'm still looking into it.

I still haven't heard back from the police.

Go on back.

I'll let you know when I hear something.

- Thank you.
- No problem.

- Get back to your game.
- Take care.

Snake eyes!

Chen, I can't take it.
Which road should I take to run away?

Don't take the big road.
Take the small path out.

Once over the mountain,
you'll see the main road. Then you've made it.

Which mountain?

The tallest mountain over there.

Auntie, what are you singing?

- Do you like it?
- Yes.

- What's your name?
- Li Qingshan.

- Are you in school?
- Yes.

- Which grade?
- Fourth.

Don't call me Auntie. Call me Sister.

- Call me Sister Bai, okay?
- Okay.

- Go on. Say it.
- Sister Bai.

You're here.

So this is your college-educated wife.

- You owe me a drink.
- Then come over for a drink.

Next time.

- See you.
- Take care.

She's listening to you now, right?
I told you she just needed a beating.

It's 15.80.

Put it on my tab.

Come and get this.

Come if you need anything.

- What do you want?
- A bag of salt.

See that woman? She tried to run away.

Same thing would happen to you.

Chen, I'm going to run away.

Be careful.

If you make it, tell my folks I'm here.
Ask them to come save me.

- Where are you going?
- To pee.

Have you seen Xuemei?

Not good for much,
but sure knows how to pee.

Your clothes got washed away.

Stop here.

You two follow the road.
Er Hu, follow me.

Excuse me, which way into town?

Thanks.

Have you seen a woman run by?

- Have you seen her?
- No.

To the town.

Hi, can you give me a ride?

- Where to?
- Into town.

- Three bucks.
- I don't have any money.

Then forget it.
I usually charge five bucks.

- Please, I don't have any money.
- No way. Everyone else has to pay five.

Help me.

You thought you could run away!

Let me go.

Still running away?

I give you stuff to eat
and buy you new clothes.

- Stop beating her. You'll kill her.
- Stay out of it.

Bitch, I can make you obey me if I want.

Sister Bai, here you are. It's still warm.

No thanks.

Take it.

Thank you.

Fourth Aunt.

You're here.

I wanted to come earlier,
but I've been too busy.

Are you better?

I borrowed some more books for you.

Thanks.

The people here aren't well educated.
They're barbaric.

I'm the only one who went to high school.

I always dreamed of going to college.

I wanted to leave this mountain village.

I never did well on the entrance exam.
I could only come back to teach.

Isn't it good being a teacher?

Sure.

But the pay is low,
and we don't get paid on time.

I've had it. I feel like quitting.

Don't laugh at me.

I'm a teacher but haven't even seen a train.

I've seen a train.

Look what happened. I was still kidnapped.

How could you have believed those guys?

I really don't know.

I had just graduated
and couldn't find a good job.

My folks owed lots of people money.

My brother also needed tuition.

I wanted to help my folks
pay back the money.

And help my brother pay tuition.

They said I'd make lots of money
by selling medicine.

So I came here with them.

After I got here, I drank a cup of water.

Then I don't remember what happened.

Tell me, what was it like
to live on a college campus?

Nothing special.

What a waste marrying him.

I didn't marry him.

Decheng, can you help me?

I do feel great sympathy for you.

I do want to help you.

Really? Then can you help me to escape?

That's hard.

You do know that he's my cousin?

- Decheng, you're here.
- Uncle. Cousin.

Cousin, hi. What are you doing?

Nothing. I brought some books.
So she's not bored all day.

She does nothing but read.

You're still not satisfied?

She's just a fucking waste of my money.

It's going to take a while to pay you back.

No problem. There's no hurry.

Mailman!

Can you mail this for me?
I don't have a stamp, but I'll pay you later.

Thanks.

Chen, why haven't you come by to see me?
I'm bored out of my mind.

We were just thinking of going to see you.

How's it going with her?

Nothing new. She can do some work.

- Is her tummy getting larger yet?
- No

Why not? It's been months
and she's still not pregnant.

Who knows. We're worried sick.

Just make your son take some medicine.
Make him work extra hard at night.

Can you lend me some money?

I've been here years
and have never seen a cent.

When I have money,
I'll pay you back double.

They always pay for things.

They're afraid I'll run away
with their money.

Can you go to the police station
and make a report?

It's not so simple.
They side with the locals.

When Giu Hua filed a report,

her husband beat her
until he broke her leg.

None of us have succeeded at running away.
It's best to accept our fate.

I no longer want to escape.

I've got two kids.

What if I did get out?
What about the kids?

What man would still want me?

Life can be so hard.

It's best not to think too much.

Look after your health first.

Aunt, hello.

I've got some books
for my cousin's wife.

She's inside.

Stupid books!

You're here. Come in. Sit down.

I borrowed a few more books for you.

- Thanks.
- You're welcome.

I just want you to know
that I really do want to help you.

I know. You're different from them.

You're educated.

But you must not rush.

You know what things are like here.

I've got to come up with a good plan.

Aunt, I've got to go.

Listen up.
This is an important announcement.

Party officials
are coming to inspect the village.

Every home must be cleaned and tidied up.

Respect the leaders.
Watch what you say.

Whoever ruins the village's reputation

will pay the price.

We will not let you offlightly.

Listen again.

Whoever ruins the village's reputation

will pay the price.

We warmly welcome you.

We warmly welcome you

We warmly welcome you

We're here. Get off.

That's the village council.

After you, please.

The Party officials have left.

Let's go back. We're damn starving!

- Do I have a letter?
- No.

Can you help send another letter for me?

Okay.

- Thanks.
- You're welcome.

Degui.

What is it?

The school would like your wife
to help out. Okay?

What can she do?

Her education is better than ours.

Then keep an eye on her.
Don't let her run away.

Don't worry.
I'll definitely bring her back.

Hey, come on and help them at school.

Why'd you come get me?

We only have two teachers.
One just went home.

Some tea?

I'm not thirsty.

Actually, the school doesn't need you.

This is the only place we can really talk.

Can you help me get out of here?

I will. I promise.
I'll help you leave this place.

- Don't lie to me.
- I would never lie to you.

Lunch is ready.

- Come down and eat.
- Okay.

You're crazy.

I can't stop thinking of you.

They're always watching me.
I can't get away.

I'm going crazy!

- Let's get out of here!
- Not now. It's not the right time.

Decheng! Time to eat!

Okay.

- Want some alcohol?
- No thanks.

We'll drink tonight.
Tomorrow, they'll come and help your father.

He gets two people to help.
Good deal!

Let's run away now.

No, it'll be bad
if they find us both gone.

- Don't you love me?
- Of course I love you.

- You said you'd take me out of here.
- Yes.

When?

I'm still looking for the right time.

We need money. I'm saving up.

I don't need so much money.
I just want to leave.

I know. Be patient. Trust me.

Don't hit him!

You slut!

Decheng, what should be done?

Uncle, Degui, I'm sorry.

Fuck! That's all!
Now you're forgiven.

Shut up!

There are two possibilities:

We can ask the Village Chief to decide

or we can just forget about the money
Degui borrowed from you.

You decide.

Hi, what do you want?

Toilet paper and a bag of salt.
Add it to our tab.

- What else?
- Nothing else.

Can I borrow some money?

This small shop
doesn't make much money.

Just a little. I promise to pay you back.

You don't have a penny.
How are you going to pay me back?

How'd you like for me to pay you back?

How much do you want?

Fifty.

That much!
That kind of money doesn't come easy.

Then forget it!

Wait a moment.

My wife keeps tabs on me.
How about forty?

Have you mixed in
the medicine for the pigs?

Yes.

Xumei!

Where is she?

Degui, get up!

Stop!

- Where to?
- Into town.

Thanks.

Excuse me, where's the bus station?

Over there.

Thanks.

- When are you leaving?
- In forty minutes.

Thanks!

Be careful. Let them off first.
Stop pushing.

- When's this bus leaving?
- Soon. Get on.

Ticket.

- Into the city.
- Twenty.

Don't stop! I beg you!
Don't open the door!

Don't open the door, or my life will be over!

Mister! Mister! Open the door!

My wife ran away.
Let me take a look.

Here.

Open the door.

Get up! Running away?

This is his wife. Stay out of it.

Don't hold us up with your family problems.

You never thought I'd find you.

- What are you doing?
- This is my wife.

Help me! Help me!

What's going on?

- Sir, his wife's gone crazy.
- Yes, she's having a mental breakdown.

Save me! I've been kidnapped!

Then take her to a hospital.
Don't hold up traffic.

Get going!

Save me!

- Thanks!
- You're welcome.

Slow down. There's more.

Isn't your period two months late?

It's often late.

Are you?

What?

Don't touch me!

Get away!

- Please! Stop hitting yourself.
- Get out! Stay away from me.

- Fuck, do you want to die?
- Stop hitting her!

She's pregnant with your child.
Get out of here!

If you hurt my kid,
I'll beat the shit out of you.

Hit me if you want,
but don't hit the baby.

I beg you.

Please.

We will always be grateful to you.

Get out.

Li Qingshan.

Why aren't you in school?

Tell me, what happened?

I can't pay for school.
My dad won't let me go.

- Wait! Do you want to go to school?
- Yes.

You can come here.
I'll be your teacher, okay?

Okay.

- Hi, Sister Bai.
- You're here.

Check my homework.

- Which question?
- This one.

One and five-eighths
minus three-eighths equals?

Two-eighths.

What happened to the "One?"

It should be one and two-eighths.
Be more careful!

It was a baby girl.

Of course.
Who'd get rid of a baby boy?

Bury the baby. Don't let the dogs eat it.

MORE TREES AND LESS BABI ES
IS THE ROAD TO WEALTH

Do you think it's a boy or a girl?

Don't worry.
Look how pointy your tummy is!

It's got to be a boy. Don't worry.

- Did I get a letter?
- No.

Help me to send another one.

You two get out of here!

Push harder!

Harder!

- Boy or girl?
- A boy. The mother's fine.

Thanks so much.

Look at my cute grandson.

What a good baby.
So handsome too!

My grandson.

Hold on!

- Do you have a letter for me?
- No.

I really can't smoke.

My pal, this is for you.
Thanks for your help.

Glad to help. It's tough having a wife.

- Here's the letter she wrote.
- Thanks.

- Take care.
- See you.

Take care.

Fuck! She hasn't given up!

Hi, Sister Bai.

The mailman
gave your letter to your husband.

Don't feel sad.
I'll mail the letter for you.

Give me the towel.

Did you hear me?

Give me the towel.

Are you fucking deaf?

What's taking you so long?

Towel.

Are you trying to make me go blind?

- Did you finish it?
- Yes.

- Good-bye, Teacher Bai.
- Bye.

Li Qingshan.

- Does anyone know?
- No, I mailed it in town.

Thanks.

Where are you going?

To see Chen.

Give me the baby.

Where's Huang Degui?

- Working in the fields.
- Is Bai Xuemei here?

Are you Bai Xuemei?

My daughter! It's me, your dad.

What took you so long?

Let's go home.

Give me the baby.

- This is my child.
- The baby belongs to us.

Leave the baby,
otherwise we'll never get out of here.

- Someone help me!
- Please, come with me.

- We'll get the baby later.
- Help me!

- Let's get going.
- Somebody help!

Hurry up!
The police are taking your wife away.

Stop them!

Stop!

Move out of the way.
This is our job. Let us through.

Freeze!

Move out of the way.
It's against the law to buy people.

What law?
You'll have to shoot me first!

The selling of people is strictly forbidden.

She's my wife. Give her to me.

Is it illegal for everyone?

I bought my wife too. Lock me up.

My friends, you are all parents.

How'd you like it if your daughter
was stolen and sold?

We need to understand her situation.

If she pays me back, then she can go.

I paid 7,000 for her.
Give me the money or she stays.

That's right!

If you want to leave,
you'll have to run me over first!

You're too old for this.

What are you doing? Get up please.

I don't want to live!

Okay, we won't take her yet.

We'll go to the village council
and discuss this.

You can't go.

Open the door!

Why didn't you let me know first?

You think you can
just come and take her away?

You don't consider
the village council at all.

We didn't want to trouble you.

Like I'm not used to trouble?

Our job as leaders
is to take care of trouble.

What else would we be doing?

If something happens to you,
who would take the blame?

This is just the way
people are around here.

They lack education.
What can I do?

Please help us out.

The villagers are up in arms.
What can I do?

We're here to enforce the law.

Okay, I'll see what I can do.

Thanks.

Damn! He's lying between his teeth.

Doesn't look like we'll get out of here.
What should we do?

Let's call the local police

and leave with all the women
who were bought.

I wish it were so simple.

Do you know
how many women were sold here?

Why don't they just run away?

Do you want to leave?

There's no way I'll stay.

They're all animals.
They're not human.

This place isn't even worth peeing in.

Okay, if you want to leave,
then you must do as we say.

Today, stay with them.
Hold out for a while longer.

Sir, you have to take me away today.

Otherwise, I'll end up dying here.

Officer Sun. Officer Zhu.
You can't go. Please.

I had to rescue my daughter.

It wasn't easy finding the money needed.

If we fail this time,
I won't have the money to try again.

I beg you!

Get up. What are you doing?

We need money to help work on this case.

I can pay if you will save my daughter.

Who said we're not going to save her?
We're just thinking of a plan.

I'll stay here with my daughter
and wait for you.

Dad, go back first.

You have no idea how barbaric they are.

Don't be afraid.
I won't leave until they rescue you.

Okay. But you must stay here
no matter what.

We'll be back
within three days to take you away.

Let them through.

Director, you can take care of them.
You must make sure they are safe.

Don't worry. I promise.

Reach an agreement amongst yourselves.

Let her stay and we'll work it out.

Okay.

Make way.

They're leaving. Make way.

Please, stop! Where are you taking her?

- It's okay. They'll only be gone two days.
- No.

You're going nowhere! Is that clear?

Out of my way.

- I said you're coming!
- No way! Don't hit her!

Or what?

You're going nowhere!

You want to rescue her?
You think we'll wait for the cops? No way!

We'll stay! Don't hit her!

- She's my wife for the rest of her life!
- Don't touch her!

Don't hit her!

Help! Please!

THE END
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